Goodbye Wales/Hello England

WALES

Well there was no snow falling this morning when we awoke but it was still overcast. I knew that this was the normal weather for this part of the world and especially during this time of the year but it's still shocking after so many days to not have had sunshine.

It seems almost inconceivable and just one of many other reasons to love New York City. We may get a blizzard in winter but there is usually some bright sun in the cold forecast soon after. Along parts of the drive you could still see snow on the ground.

After another lovely breakfast at the hotel we thanked the extremely friendly staff and were on our way back to England. We stopped off first in Newport, Wales which is a large city with a university right on the River front and several new very modern bridges. This pictures is of one bridge that was recently built for pedestrians to get from the city center across the river and back to the more residential areas. We took a nice walk in the city center town which was bustling.

There are also some ancient Roman ruins right on the edge of the city center and directly outside the city limits. There are indications that the Romans were on this Island in just about every region you go to.

There were some lovely sculptures and old buildings. If you look at the picture of the main shopping street you'll be able to see mom and Jean Marie or at least the back of them. I like this little searching game "Where's mom."

ENGLAND (Tewksesbury)

We headed out of Wales over the expansion bridge that took us quickly into the England and on to Tewkesbury. The ride went faster than anticipated and we found ourselves in Tewkesbury city center in no time at all. It's a small town with a charming shopping street with small boutiques and some wonderfully looking tea rooms. It was cold so mom and Jean Marie didn't want to walk much through the town so we just stopped off at the Tewkesbury Abby. The following is a little brief history of the Abby from their web site: The Abby was founded in 1087 but building of the present building that we stood in was not started in 1102 and was then consecrated in 1121. Interestingly in 1540 after the parish was being dismantled and some other buildings sold off the parishioners got together and bought the church for 453 pounds. Thanks goodness for those loyal parishioners because it is a spectacularlar church and 470 years later it still is an operating Anglo-Catholic parish and this past Christmas Day BBC 1 broadcast mass from there. Here is one of the stained glass windows and just one of the many carvings that are all along the center vaulted ceiling. This carving is of the last supper. They set up in the main Isle of the Abby a mirror that is parrall with the floor but raised about 4 feet up on wooden legs. The mirror was so you could see the detailed carvings well without straining your neck. You really did get a better view of the details that way.

ENGLAND (Dumbleton Village)

We then were off to find our hotel in a village called Dumbleton (isn't that just too adorable) in the county of Gloucestershire. Well the 7 mile ride from Tewkesbury passed many lush green fields and some fabulous old homes and when we arrived in Dumbleton Center it was basically a store, a municipal type building and lots of homes. It's so tiny you may just miss it if you blink but I would say to anyone who comes this way don't blink because it's well worth the sight. Our hotel was just up the road and after entering the gate to the extensive grounds we drove along a winding path and came upon a gorgeous mansion. I feel so blessed to be able to stay here and thank goodness for Hotels.com because we would never have found it let alone got such an amazing deal without them.

We checked in and everyone was so friendly and welcoming and I was already beginning to feel like I was home. Mom thinks it will be difficult for me to leave this place tomorrow morning and I suppose it will be but for now I'm just so happy to enjoy an evening here. Dumbleton Hall Hotel is in an area known as the Cotswolds (apparently the lavender from this area is particularly fabulous.) The hotel is a traditional 19th Century Manor house (yes, I'm getting this off their web site) and is set on 19 acres of private gardens, woodlands and a private lake. The first hall dates back to 1534.

Mom and I after seeing our spacious room took a walk around the grounds because right next door is a field of crazing sheep. Lots and lots of sheep. You know how much I love the sheep and have wanted to pet one but alas they don't like people so they just walked off as we approached. Mom wanted pictures of her two stuffed Timmy sheep with the real ones so I managed to get them to stay on the fence and they look as if they are trying to escape. I even got a picture of mom holding the stuffed Timmys.

The gardener came over and offered to take a picture of the two of us and he was so sweet and said if we're up early in the morning he'd be happy to show us the grounds. Well early to Rob was like 7:00am and not only would it still be dark and cold out we it's just a bit too early for me. He was so sweet though and you can see him in a picture with me. I think mom was thinking he might be a good husband for me and he certainly did seem very nice. He's recently divorced and from our brief conversation I could sense his bitterness toward his ex. They both live in Tewkesbury and although it's a small town he tries to avoid her at all costs. Either way I don't think there was a love match made but it was a nice try on mom's part.

Mom and Jean Marie spent the next hour or so in the hotel while I took a lovely walk around the grounds and the little village. I stopped off at St. Peter's Church which according to the Dumbleton Village web page (yes they have their own web site) the church was mentioned in the Doomsday books and it's remaining original parts date back to the 1100's. The Church was closed when I went up to it but the outside is certainly impressive enough to make me happy I walked down to see it. There are grave stones all around the grounds of the church and although the church and it's grounds are pretty small and many of the grave stones are very old there are several people who were buried there as recently as 2008. The graves were adorned with flowers and holiday memorials from loved ones. This is a thriving village and I was fortunate to meet some of the locals. One very nice man walking his beautiful black Labrador retriever met me in the church grounds and told me a bit about the church and said I must return in May when all the flowers are in Bloom. I said God willing I will have that opportunity and he responded with "I use that saying a lot, God willing" and he wished me well. You can see him and the dog in one of the pictures of the church.

Just outside the church is an interesting and I believe once an operating fountain with special drinking troughs for the horses and at the top of this carved structure is a memorial to a Mr. Edward Holland dating from 1875 when he passed and the plaque near the top says it's dedicated to him by all his friends.

Then stopped off at the one store which seems to sell art and other handmade creative goods. The store was closed but there was this sign on it advertising the coffee hour the local community center would now be having each week so that locals can come together and enjoy each others company. I just love this place!

I took a turn on to Dairy Lane and found myself after a bit of a walk back at the grounds for the hotel. But first I passed the Village Hall which dates from 1899 and is a local meeting place (for the new coffee hour as well) and also a daycare center. Right before you enter a small path to get back to the hotel there is a left turn on to the smallest part of Dairy Lane and there are three homes there and this sign tells you their names. How could I pass up taking a picture. I feel right at home in this village and saw many locals out and about taking a stroll arm-and-arm with their loved one, walking dogs, playing with the kids, working in the garden and just doing the day-to-day things that we all need to do. Most everyone greeted me with a hearty hello and cheers.

The only living things not so happy I was wondering around were the sheep and as I made my last pass by their field I got a strange look from the black one who clearly wanted me to know he was watching me. The gardener Rob said the black ones were the men and their job was to keep the sheep population booming and that the one that was clearly limping and exhausted had been working very hard today. I'm really kind of glad we missed that sight.

I took some wonderful pictures of the hotel grounds and the view of the hotel as I approached the final little hill. This is a magical place with sheep, some cats, friendly people and I have a feeling if these walls could talk a great many fabulous stories of great people. There is even a news article framed in one of the halls talking about Queen Victoria's visit and how she presented the book of Remembrance from the Post Office Fellowship (which apparently owned or used the building) and I think it is presently still kept in this building.

Mom was relaxing in the grand foyer by the warm inviting fire place. I think you can see she's also very happy here but I think most people would be.

We had an incredible 3-course dinner in the formal dining room where we met a lovely older women who was eating alone. She's staying at the hotel because she's been visiting her sister who lives down the street each day. Her sister had a stroke and is recovering.

After dinner we sat in the library and had tea and coffee. It was a truly wonderful day.