We agree with those who view such gardens as therapeutic.
We agree with those who view such gardens as therapeutic.
0 2023/07/20 22:21:37
As the rainclouds approached, that tour bus took off. For the final 90 minutes til closing, we literally had the tranquil place to ourselves.
As the rainclouds approached, that tour bus took off. For the final 90 minutes til closing, we literally had the tranquil place to ourselves.
0 2023/07/20 22:20:38
We enjoyed Kiftsgate but were disappointed to learn that their namesake Kiftsgate Rose (Britain's largest) was out-of-season. This garden has been created and run by 3 generations of women gardeners.
We enjoyed Kiftsgate but were disappointed to learn that their namesake Kiftsgate Rose (Britain's largest) was out-of-season. This garden has been created and run by 3 generations of women gardeners.
0 2023/07/20 22:19:26
It is a region rich in gardens. World-class ones. Above, a friendly staffer at Kiftsgate garden. Its location is directly across the road from the more well-known Hidcote. It is also located on the edge of the Cotswolds Escarpment. There were more tour buses at Hidcote. Kiftsgate had but one.
It is a region rich in gardens. World-class ones. Above, a friendly staffer at Kiftsgate garden. Its location is directly across the road from the more well-known Hidcote. It is also located on the edge of the Cotswolds Escarpment. There were more tour buses at Hidcote. Kiftsgate had but one.
0 2023/07/20 22:17:33
If you time your visit to CC to include it's marvelous Olympiks with their Scuttlebrook follow-up, you will not be disappointed. It'll add a new dimension to your experience in England. Satisfaction guaranteed. *Next up: the two main gardens, Hidcote plus Kiftsgate.
If you time your visit to CC to include it's marvelous Olympiks with their Scuttlebrook follow-up, you will not be disappointed. It'll add a new dimension to your experience in England. Satisfaction guaranteed. *Next up: the two main gardens, Hidcote plus Kiftsgate.
0 2023/07/19 09:54:12
Near the church at the top end of town, live music ringing in the background.
Near the church at the top end of town, live music ringing in the background.
0 2023/07/19 09:53:31
Everyone had a good time, ourselves included. A carnival feel embraced the town. CC knows how to party.
Everyone had a good time, ourselves included. A carnival feel embraced the town. CC knows how to party.
0 2023/07/19 09:52:19
This clever resident acknowledged the Beeb's 100th Anniversary with his brilliant television costume. Behind him, the new teen Queen.
This clever resident acknowledged the Beeb's 100th Anniversary with his brilliant television costume. Behind him, the new teen Queen.
0 2023/07/19 09:50:54
Everyone got into the fun, young and old.
Everyone got into the fun, young and old.
0 2023/07/19 09:47:17
Two Morris Dancers arrive to prepare for their team's performance.
Two Morris Dancers arrive to prepare for their team's performance.
0 2023/07/19 09:44:28
Just think: these youngsters were learning about their town's centuries-old past then could have later at home, easily called up an app that tracked the ISS Space Shuttle. What a span of years, of human activity.
Just think: these youngsters were learning about their town's centuries-old past then could have later at home, easily called up an app that tracked the ISS Space Shuttle. What a span of years, of human activity.
0 2023/07/19 09:43:08
The Bretforten Silver brass band led the procession into the main Town Square.
The Bretforten Silver brass band led the procession into the main Town Square.
0 2023/07/19 09:36:49
Alice in Wonderland? Or Anne of Green Gables? This girl's dad was a medical doctor specializing in overseas AIDS advising. He and I had a nice chat about some of the countries that we'd both been to over the years.
Alice in Wonderland? Or Anne of Green Gables? This girl's dad was a medical doctor specializing in overseas AIDS advising. He and I had a nice chat about some of the countries that we'd both been to over the years.
0 2023/07/19 09:31:52
Another fave was the female 'Quintet of Queens.' From Cleopatra through Boudicca to THE original Queen Elizabeth, they were a varied lot. You could feel their good cheer a mile away.
Another fave was the female 'Quintet of Queens.' From Cleopatra through Boudicca to THE original Queen Elizabeth, they were a varied lot. You could feel their good cheer a mile away.
0 2023/07/19 09:29:30
One of our faves was the 'Dansin Queens' group. Their five male members dressed up in drag, each with their own mannequin dates. One of their grandsons was their mascot who carried the team sign. Seen here on the steps of Bedfont House, posing with a (Brit?) tourist gal.
One of our faves was the 'Dansin Queens' group. Their five male members dressed up in drag, each with their own mannequin dates. One of their grandsons was their mascot who carried the team sign. Seen here on the steps of Bedfont House, posing with a (Brit?) tourist gal.
0 2023/07/19 09:25:26
Mary Poppins. One wonders how successful the Olympiks and Scuttlebrook Wake will be in maintaining itself for future generations?
Mary Poppins. One wonders how successful the Olympiks and Scuttlebrook Wake will be in maintaining itself for future generations?
0 2023/07/19 09:23:26
This 'chimney sweep' child and their sibling below put a great deal of effort into their costumes.
This 'chimney sweep' child and their sibling below put a great deal of effort into their costumes.
0 2023/07/19 09:22:30
I believe that this man was his predecessor.
I believe that this man was his predecessor.
0 2023/07/19 09:20:43
A Morris Dancer in training. Locals nudged me-the-photographer to take note of the photo op as he joyfully danced along with abandon. There was also in the parade, a similarly young boy in a stroller carriage dressed up in uniform with the label 'Grenadier Guard in Training.'
A Morris Dancer in training. Locals nudged me-the-photographer to take note of the photo op as he joyfully danced along with abandon. There was also in the parade, a similarly young boy in a stroller carriage dressed up in uniform with the label 'Grenadier Guard in Training.'
0 2023/07/19 09:17:24
...students from both of CC's primary schools joined round the Maypole in dance too.
...students from both of CC's primary schools joined round the Maypole in dance too.
0 2023/07/19 09:13:54
A mock-horse would move around the dancers, galloping with all the gaiety in the Cotswolds. At that moment, one really sensed the deep rural roots of this aged fest. Then just when we thought it couldn't get any better...
A mock-horse would move around the dancers, galloping with all the gaiety in the Cotswolds. At that moment, one really sensed the deep rural roots of this aged fest. Then just when we thought it couldn't get any better...
0 2023/07/19 09:08:55
A trio of players provided the jaunty dancing music, accordion, flute plus this violinist (fiddle?).
A trio of players provided the jaunty dancing music, accordion, flute plus this violinist (fiddle?).
0 2023/07/19 09:07:23
The buttons he wore all over showed the Brit sense of humour. Here, the ones attached to his hat.
The buttons he wore all over showed the Brit sense of humour. Here, the ones attached to his hat.
0 2023/07/19 09:05:27
The troupe's current leader.
The troupe's current leader.
0 2023/07/19 09:05:02
The Morris Dancers had a female member and that was good to see. She used the customary dancing sticks, wore the distinctive costume and was part of an animated team carrying on old traditions.
The Morris Dancers had a female member and that was good to see. She used the customary dancing sticks, wore the distinctive costume and was part of an animated team carrying on old traditions.
0 2023/07/19 09:01:28
One of those flowery members, all in purple and having a good time. The procession was led by a specific float. This was the one carrying the abovementioned teen Queen-elect on her throne, dragged by the Morris dancers.
One of those flowery members, all in purple and having a good time. The procession was led by a specific float. This was the one carrying the abovementioned teen Queen-elect on her throne, dragged by the Morris dancers.
0 2023/07/19 09:00:00
The famed Campden Morris dancers played a major role (see later). Our taxi driver Cookie's Ilmington-based uncle was one of the leaders of this historic dance troupe, back in the days when they were known as the Morris Men. As you will soon see below, today's troupe had one female member. Btw, this gent may have been the father of one of the younger members of the Scuttlebrook (teen) Queen-elect's procession.
The famed Campden Morris dancers played a major role (see later). Our taxi driver Cookie's Ilmington-based uncle was one of the leaders of this historic dance troupe, back in the days when they were known as the Morris Men. As you will soon see below, today's troupe had one female member. Btw, this gent may have been the father of one of the younger members of the Scuttlebrook (teen) Queen-elect's procession.
0 2023/07/19 08:54:43
The 'Royal Mobility Car', sponsored by The Village Bar in Weston Sub-Edge. License plate HRH 70. See the sign: 'ONLY CORGIS TO BE TETHERED HERE'. He had his flag-waving teen granddaughters ride with him, wearing royal masks.
The 'Royal Mobility Car', sponsored by The Village Bar in Weston Sub-Edge. License plate HRH 70. See the sign: 'ONLY CORGIS TO BE TETHERED HERE'. He had his flag-waving teen granddaughters ride with him, wearing royal masks.
0 2023/07/19 08:50:47
Up near the Littleworth part of town, this trio of judges inspected the range of costumes, both adult and child, to later award the best. Note how I'm switching back and forth from calling CC a village, then a town. Its that kind of place, an affluent yet still quite rural part of England.
Up near the Littleworth part of town, this trio of judges inspected the range of costumes, both adult and child, to later award the best. Note how I'm switching back and forth from calling CC a village, then a town. Its that kind of place, an affluent yet still quite rural part of England.
0 2023/07/19 08:32:51
Not all supported celebrations of the Queen's Jubilee. This farmer's wife reminded us of the anti-royal graffiti that we'd seen in London's Brick Lane. Her husbear was not shy about parading their private float around town.
Not all supported celebrations of the Queen's Jubilee. This farmer's wife reminded us of the anti-royal graffiti that we'd seen in London's Brick Lane. Her husbear was not shy about parading their private float around town.
0 2023/07/19 08:24:27
One float included depictions of the Queen throughout different stages of her life. Not pictured here was the local gal/Queen-lookalike dressed in her thick, traditional pink, plain matching clothes.
One float included depictions of the Queen throughout different stages of her life. Not pictured here was the local gal/Queen-lookalike dressed in her thick, traditional pink, plain matching clothes.
0 2023/07/19 08:24:16
His daughters rode in the back and one sensed a very healthy family bond throughout. The Scuttlebrook wake programme deliberately overlapped with the Queen's Platinum Jubillee.
His daughters rode in the back and one sensed a very healthy family bond throughout. The Scuttlebrook wake programme deliberately overlapped with the Queen's Platinum Jubillee.
0 2023/07/19 08:24:00
Good cheer was evident at the Leysbourne staging ground near the bottom of the village. This fellow drove a sturdy vintage WWII era vehicle. The creativity shown across various costumes was fantastic.
Good cheer was evident at the Leysbourne staging ground near the bottom of the village. This fellow drove a sturdy vintage WWII era vehicle. The creativity shown across various costumes was fantastic.
0 2023/07/19 08:19:07
John Beynon from the 'Generation Jones' band was one of the musicians. His bandmate Geoff Carr showed us his astonishing modern instrument, a 'zendrum'. It was composed of a wooden, zither-like device that housed various pickups, each of which activated percussion sounds played by tapping. The 'Orange River Remedy' trio from Stratford played their Humble Pie-esque set with a female drummer. The 'Wired' band also deserves mention here, with their versatile skills, good singin' and good playin'.
John Beynon from the 'Generation Jones' band was one of the musicians. His bandmate Geoff Carr showed us his astonishing modern instrument, a 'zendrum'. It was composed of a wooden, zither-like device that housed various pickups, each of which activated percussion sounds played by tapping. The 'Orange River Remedy' trio from Stratford played their Humble Pie-esque set with a female drummer. The 'Wired' band also deserves mention here, with their versatile skills, good singin' and good playin'.
0 2023/07/19 08:11:19
Next: the morning after--Scuttlebrook Wake.
Next: the morning after--Scuttlebrook Wake.
0 2023/07/19 06:46:55
Robert Dover and Endymion Porter rode up. He was the local Max Yasgur (Woodstock) 'on whose property we all are'. We reckoned the crowd to be a couple thousand strong. Mixed gender teams competed in all manner of wacky games. There were obstacle courses on slippery surfaces, spurning the bar (caber toss), backwards races, sack races, Cotswold stone put and tug o' war. The loony ski challenge had 4 folks per ski! A grinning 30ish guy in street clothes won a number of the individual events.
Robert Dover and Endymion Porter rode up. He was the local Max Yasgur (Woodstock) 'on whose property we all are'. We reckoned the crowd to be a couple thousand strong. Mixed gender teams competed in all manner of wacky games. There were obstacle courses on slippery surfaces, spurning the bar (caber toss), backwards races, sack races, Cotswold stone put and tug o' war. The loony ski challenge had 4 folks per ski! A grinning 30ish guy in street clothes won a number of the individual events.
0 2023/07/19 06:26:27
One organizer became rightly FURIOUS after careless parents allowed their children to frolic in the fields below. Nearly 100 excited kids collected there. Thing is, there were fireworks planted there. He went ballistic and who could blame him? The announcer above rightly asked the crowd watching the shin-kicking from the hill then, "Folks up there: whose little girl keeps screaming 'BLOOD!!' ? He wasn't kidding. The girl was quite animated and everyone in the large crowd heard her every shriek!
One organizer became rightly FURIOUS after careless parents allowed their children to frolic in the fields below. Nearly 100 excited kids collected there. Thing is, there were fireworks planted there. He went ballistic and who could blame him? The announcer above rightly asked the crowd watching the shin-kicking from the hill then, "Folks up there: whose little girl keeps screaming 'BLOOD!!' ? He wasn't kidding. The girl was quite animated and everyone in the large crowd heard her every shriek!
0 2023/07/19 06:20:33
The Olympiks. Fri. 3rd June 2022. The undisputed main event that locals waited til the final hour to see was the Shin-Kicking World Championship. Fit men pad up for this contest and really go at each other. The reigning champ regained his title, but had to take a few time-outs. At those times, he approached the referee officiating to complain about his opponent's over-the-top aggressiveness. True that.
The Olympiks. Fri. 3rd June 2022. The undisputed main event that locals waited til the final hour to see was the Shin-Kicking World Championship. Fit men pad up for this contest and really go at each other. The reigning champ regained his title, but had to take a few time-outs. At those times, he approached the referee officiating to complain about his opponent's over-the-top aggressiveness. True that.
0 2023/07/19 06:14:39
"Pfgh! My sibling Gothlamm always got all the attention. Spoiled brat he was. "Piss off! I used to tell my pesky brother. Mum and dad never listened to me when I wanted to become a punk singer. Life has never been fair."
"Pfgh! My sibling Gothlamm always got all the attention. Spoiled brat he was. "Piss off! I used to tell my pesky brother. Mum and dad never listened to me when I wanted to become a punk singer. Life has never been fair."
0 2023/07/18 21:31:10
"Gothlamm is my eldest boy and I tried to warn him, I really did: "Make sure that they pay you up front son." But he wouldn't listen. Silly boy, black sheep of the family and all."
"Gothlamm is my eldest boy and I tried to warn him, I really did: "Make sure that they pay you up front son." But he wouldn't listen. Silly boy, black sheep of the family and all."
0 2023/07/18 21:28:15
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