The cosy weekend

Ahh, what a weekend. I didn't really want to leave the Cotswolds last night and return to dirty, noisy, smelly old London! Ok, so it's not so bad, but I just love being out in the countryside and me and my lovely Mummy had such a great time.

I arrived on Friday evening and after a warming bowl of soup, we made our way through the garden gate to the cosy pub next door for a nice glass of red wine before collapsing into a cosy bed.

Saturday morning we were up early and on our way to Stratford-on-Avon. Now, as I mentioned in my previous post, my camera is misbehaving so no pictures of Stratford I'm afraid. It is taking pictures, but the view finder is totally blank so I can't see the picture I'm taking to know whether it is in focus or straight. So the pictures at the end of this post were taken very randomly and I had to do a lot of sorting to find some good ones. Very frustrating!

We didn't spend too long in Stratford, just long enough for Mum and I both to buy a new top, for Mum to buy me a handbag which is to be a Christmas present so has been hidden away, and for us to have a very long look in Laura Ashley. Mum bought a couple of new lamps for one of the guest bedrooms, and I was very good and just looked. Tight budget this month so no purchasing! They had some really lovely things so this took a lot of will power.

We headed back via Shipston-on-Stour and popped into a lovely Interiors shop that had been badly damaged in the summer floods. They've worked like crazy to get the shop open again and had a grand re-opening on Saturday. Mum had an invite so we enjoyed a glass of bubbly while browsing the lovely furniture and accessories.

Saturday afternoon was spent chatting over a late lunch, waiting for B&B guests to arrive then down to the church for Mum to do the flowers for Remembrance Sunday. It was late afternoon as we walked into church. The church yard looked quite magical in the dusky light and as we opened the door to the outer porch of the church we heard the sounds of organ music coming from inside. The organist was practicing for the next day so while I sat watching my talented Mum arrange her flowers I had lovely music to listen to as well. The organist left and finally Mum and I were ready to go. I carried the empty buckets down to the front door, and as I opened it I got quite a shock. Neither of us had been aware that while we were inside it had become completely dark. When I say completely dark, I mean completely dark. It was pitch dark. I couldn't see the path leading away in front of me, never mind the gate and road beyond. And this was with a glimmer of light coming from inside the church. Once Mum joined me at the door and we turned the church lights on it was even darker. We could see faint light coming from windows of the cottages down the lane but that was all. With a lot of giggling and stumbling, we managed to find our way to the gate as our eyes slowly became used to the dark.

We finished off the day with a lovely dinner of salmon followed by lemon meringue pie, more wine and curled up on the sofas watching the festival of remembrance from the Albert Hall which was lovely and very moving as always.

Yesterday we had a lovely day again, starting off with the Remembrance service at Church then down to a nearby village for Sunday lunch in a lovely pub called the Red Lion. We had a table in a cosy room right next to a big log fire. I just adore the smell of woodsmoke so was very happy to be almost sitting in the fireplace! We enjoyed lovely roast beef with all the trimmings and a yummy pud of pavlova with hazlenut cream, banana and toffee sauce. As you can imagine, after that lot all we were capable of was going home, lighting the fire, taking a sofa each and snoozing, with Smokey the cat on Mums knee and me doing some very slow knitting. Dad returned home to find us in a very sleepy state to entertain us with tales of his sailing trip.

So as I mentioned, the photo taking was not easy but of the dozens I haphazedly took, a few came out. I thought you might all like a little look at some of Mum and Dads cosy home. It's the loveliest place to be.

Open the front door and walk into to the cosy and welcoming hallway.

You'll find the lovely green dresser full of pretty blue china and see the window which used to be the stable door when the house was the coach house for the pub next door.

Though the door into the stone corridor which leads through to the dining room

Or into the Sitting Room....

If it's a gloomy day the lamps will be on

Bed and Breakfast guests are lucky enough to eat breakfast in the lovely dining room

Climb the stairs and turn into the first cosy guest room

You'll notice that a few NonnieHome cushions have made their way onto the bed!

Down the corridor

You might want to have a little sit down to admire all the pictures.

Into the second guest bedroom or as it's usually know 'the pink room'.

I hope you've enjoyed this little tour around The Old Coach House. Not too bad considering the camera problems. I hope I can get it sorted as I don't think I can manage to take pictures of product without seeing what it looks like first.

I have a busy week ahead as I really need to make more progress in making stock for the next fair. I'm suddenly panicking that it's not actually that far away. Infact, has anyone realised that Christmas itself is only six weeks away?! Got to go......lots to do!!

xxx

Comments

[Racheal]

What a beautiful home your parents have.

Racheal x

[kim]

Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. So pleased you did. And all that food as well - yummy! Your parents house looks wonderful, will have to remember it if we're travelling in that part of the country
Kim x

[Tricia]

Hi
Have been lurking for a while so thought I would pop in and say hello. You are not far from me just down the road (well almost down the road LOL) Lovely house. All the best
Tricia

[paula luckhurst]

Six weeks away ?!
I don't know why I put so many Christmas countdowns on my blog and even so I fail to realize how close it is.

[suzie sews]

Wow what a great weekend and as for that house...Oh its just what I like...
Suzie Sews

[LOUISE]

I wouldn't say no to living or even staying in the Cotswolds, I love the stone buildings, it is a lovely area. Your parent's guesthouse looks stunning and immaculate. You certainly had a busy weekend but a really enjoyable one, I love the sound of the desserts you had, I have a very sweet tooth. x

[cd&m]

Sounds like you had a lovely weekend and it also sounds like it was the lull before the storm with all your craft fairs coming up. Good luck with them.

[tracy]

i loved taking the tour around your parents home - it looks so welcoming and homely x
good luck with the stock making - i am sewing and knitting like a crazy woman to fulfill orders - looks like we both know what this weekend
holds !
take care and enjoy the rest of the week x
tracy x

[susan]

What a beautiful home. Thanks for the pictures.

[tea time and roses]

What a wonderful weekend you had, and a lovely home indeed... It is nothing like the comfort of our parents home, it is always a special place... Have a wonderful rest of the week...

Smiles to you...

Beverly

[Liz]

What a beautiful house. Looks idyllic.

Took a trip to Petersham Nursery this weekend. I think that is near to where you live. What an interesting, bt expensive place that is. Love your blog.

[Yvonne]

Oh my your parents sure have a lovely and beautiful home. And oddly enough I have camera problems and did spent a weekend away shouting at it LOL.

[claire]

Your mum and dad's house is gorgeous and how perfect having a pub next door!

I'm with you on the Rememberance Sunday thing-all those old soldiers lined up is a truly awesome sight. It always makes me think how lucky I am never to have experienced war.

And Your pudding sounded delicious!!!

[lazylol]

What a fab post! I'm glad you enjoyed your weekend, it sounded lovely.
I love the house and pub looks gorgeous too,lucky you!
Good luck with your crafting for the fair - I am starting to panic too, I am usually for more organised than this!

[Rosemary]

So glad you had such a nice time.
What a beautiful place.
Rosemary

[lina]

Wow Fiona, this looks stunning!

[thevintagemagpie]

Oh my... I need to stay there. It looks absolutely gorgeous. How wonderful to have such a lovely weekend with your mum.x

[thevintagemagpie]

Oh my... I need to stay there. It looks absolutely gorgeous. How wonderful to have such a lovely weekend with your mum.x

[Vanessa]

I am so jealous, I really could do with a weekend like that, it sounds so tranquil. The B&B is gorgeous!

[Isobel]

Hi again, Nonnie.
What a sweet weekend you had. And your mum and dad's B&b looks really wonderful and cosy. I really loved the first guestroom. :)
Hope you have a nice and productive week.
x

[Sue]

Hi Fiona

I think I need a little holiday in the Old Coach House!!

I watched the service on Saturday evening, as always. I thought it was beautifully done this year (better than last). Mum and I had a soup lunch in the Somerton gift shop today and she bought a rather lovely chair from one of the antiques centres. She always likes to buy herself something as a treat on this particular day.

Your weekend sounded glorious - I can understand why you were reluctant to rush back to London.

Sue x

[Rachel whitworth]

Your parents place is really lovely,very cozy and inviting!Good Luck with making all your stock for your next fair.I'm doing the same myself.

[Michele]

Hello Fiona
What a wonderful weekend.. just the sort of weekend I love.. good food, good wine, good company and a lovely inviting home..
When can I come and stay?? (only joking) though joking aside your parents B+B looks so comfortable.
Michelex

[Jackie Morgan]

What a gorgeous place, it must be hard for your Mum and Dad to get their guests to leave, I'm sure I woudn't want to! Glad you had such a lovely, relaxing weekend and good luck with all your crafting work. Jackiex