Local Walks

I've just added the first of (what will become) a collection of walks in the local area - mostly rural but including at least one town walk.

The first walk I've added is lovely in dry weather, but if it has been raining heavily for a few days beforehand, then it can get extremely muddy (ankle deep in mud) so I have stressed the possibility of mud within the text.  However, it is a lovely walk, taking a couple of hours, with a mixture of lanes and public footpaths, with open countryside, woodland and walking through a little bit of Box, which is a very pretty village.

The walk also goes through Longford's Mill, which is very attractive and although most of the mill buildings have been converted into houses and apartments, it has been done very sympathetically, and the remaining mill building might be used as some sort of heritage centre, which would add further interest to the walk.

Online Booking

This afternoon I implemented on-line booking for the first time.  My web site now has a 'Book Now' button on every page, which leads to a page (hosted by Free to Book) which allows the user to select their dates, rooms etc and complete their booking online.

It will be interesting to see how many people use on-line booking rather than telephone or email.

Winter Afternoons

A chilly afternoon walking the dog, followed by a spot of cutting brambles in the garden, meant that I needed a bit of time to relax and warm up.  The animals had the same idea:

Glorious Sunsets

A few days ago, I was wandering through the garden as the sun was setting, and couldn't resist taking a photo.  It's a bit grainy, as I only use a phone camera, and the light levels were a bit too low, but I thought I would see how it looked on line.

I've just been updating my 'midweek break' page on the web site to include Highgrove, which is the most amazing garden, and a few other bits and pieces around Tetbury.  2015 garden tour dates are scheduled to be published in February (according to the Highgrove web site) so it seemed a timely move.

Crisp Winter Walks

As we get further into Winter, I get increasingly enthusiastic about the attractions of a bright blue sky, frost on the ground, and an invigorating walk.  So far this year, the weather has been quite kind, so there have been lots of opportunities for lovely walks.   I always have a willing companion to encourage me out of the house:

The scene below is taken from one of my walks on Besbury Common - an easy 40 minute walk straight from the front door.  The views across the Golden Valley (around Chalford) are beautiful.  We are spoilt for choice regarding walks with lovely views, as there are loads of public footpaths (historically these were mill workers paths to get from where they lived, up on the hills, down to the mills, which were by the rivers, down in the valley).

If there are any soggy and miserable days this winter (and I'm sure there will be), I will curl up inside instead (after a brisk walk with Betsy) and document some of the walks so that my guests can enjoy the countryside around Minchinhampton, and also some of my favourite walks a bit further afield.  The cats will keep me company, as they are usually tired out after their mouse-hunting exploits.

Not long until Christmas

I bought my Christmas tree yesterday, from Miserden Nursery - an excellent place to buy a tree.  They trimmed it for me, put it in the car, and gave lots of helpful advice.  I had thought I would need to get it delivered, but it fitted in the car with no problems at all.  I even managed to get it into the house and into the tree stand all by myself.  Result!

I found the tree lights and decorations (after much searching in the attic) and spent a happy afternoon putting the various ornaments onto the tree.  My tree decorations are a motley selection (or should I say an eclectic mix) of individual ornaments and baubles, some new, but most going back years if not decades.   Two new ones this year - both presents from friends/family - a fluffy Christmas pudding and a felt reindeer wearing a red and white scarf.   I don't decorate the whole house - this is about it - but it shows willing.

Scam Emails

I must be learning something, as I am starting to recognise scam emails fairly readily.  The latest one arrived this morning.

This particular one slipped up by leaving the long list of recipients visible to all of us.  It appears that a group of people want to book a large number of rooms for a large number of days, and that they will simultaneously be in the Cotswolds and also in New Zealand, Scotland, the Hebrides and Ireland.

Not terribly convincing.

They tend to include some content to impress the recipient, imply a degree of urgency in replying, and use CAPITALS inappropriately.

I don't think I will be replying on this occasion.  I'll go back to working on some updated images for the web site....