Monday 16 September 2013

We've been a while a wandering!

Among the leaves so green.


When one takes 'time off', one is apt to get rather carried away.

Time becomes . . . almost . . . irrelevant . . .

One look at one's watch and exclaims: Is that the time? 4 o'clock already?  Time for tea!

I ask AGA what day it is and when we have looked at the newspaper and obtained the answer, we are amazed that a week has seemingly flown past, spent in idle, silken, luxuriousness!

And so, it is with some surprise that I realise that it has been over two months since I have visited my bijou blog residence!!

Mind you, we have not really been idle...

We have been frolicking in the countryside:



We have indulged in truly delicious beers:

(I should say 'I' as AGA doesn't care for beer...)

We have met some new friends:



And a possible foe:



We have investigated things up high:


And things down low:



We have popped in, downstairs:


And made our way upstairs!


We have partaken of afternoon tea on the terrace:


And indulged in more hearty fare amongst the locals:

(As an aside, can I just add that we thoroughly enjoyed 'pie night' at an old coaching inn, in Leicestershire)


We have tramped across ancient battlefields:

Visited long-dead Saints:


Journeyed to ruined castles:


And visited some not so ruined, palatial residences:


We have stopped off at unusual places:


Seen some unusual people:


And strolled through some wonderful gardens:


We have bared our lower legs and hiked up to the high places:



(At all times taken care of our personal safety:)


We have seen some fabulous things:


Visited some old relatives:


Been at hand for some memorable occasions:



Spent time in some truly lovely spots:


And of course (together with over seventy books) brought back some nice 'stuff':



But now, the bags are off the chandeliers; the dust clothes have been removed from the furniture; the harpsichord tuned, and the tea things laid out.
We have returned, are happily ensconced - and now back in business.

33 comments:

  1. I was wondering this morning if you were EVER coming back! So happy to "see" you! This is by far the best "What I Did On My Summer Vacation" I've ever read. So many wonderful things.

    I especially love that you were able to visit the village named for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mitchell. We did have a lovely holiday.
      There is unfortunately no village in Kirkdale otherwise I would be tempted to move there! Kirk Dale of Kirkdale - I like that. Actually Kirkdale is a valley in north Yorkshire.

      Delete
  2. Dear Kirk,

    It's good to have you and AGA back in blogland. It looks as though you had a marvelous vacation, but you've been missed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mark,
      It is good to be back and blogging again!
      I have missed reading my favourite blogs too - I have a lot to catch up on!

      Delete
  3. My goodness, you have been busy! Fun photo of all the downstairs bells. Good to see you back. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks MW,
      I told AGA that when we build a house I want bells like that so I can get his attention wherever he is in the house or garden.

      Delete
  4. I have missed you kirk! I am so excited about your journey! Sounds like a lifetime of travel ....Glad to have you back :)

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    Replies
    1. Thankyou Monica,
      I got some nice information to blog about in future! I am glad to be back too.

      Delete
  5. Welcome back, Kirk. I am so familiar with your happy sojourn having traveled to England, Scotland and Wales years ago. A trip never to be forgotten. What friendly people and what gorgeous scenery. I have my old pictures, maybe someday I'll post them too.

    Looks as though you both had a very wonderful time. Well - how could you help it? Can't wait to see more pix. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Yvette,
      A trip around my homeland is always one that I enjoy. I was able to introduce AGA to parts of the country he had not had the pleasure of exploring before. That is always a nice thing to do.

      Delete
  6. I wonder if that was the wonderful hidden treasure Kirkdale, in North Yorkshire, with its ancient church?
    If not you must try to visit it next time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was indeed! It is such a beautiful part of the world isn't it!?

      Delete
  7. Welcome back Kirk - I am betwixt Castle Combe and Tewkesbury so look forward to seeing where and what you and Aga have been up to during the last couple of months.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rosemary.
      Gosh, you do live in a lovely part of the world! We spent a week just outside Tewkesbury and I intend to write a post about that delightful corner of England.

      Delete
  8. WOW. Welcome home Gentlemen, welcome home!!!

    You were missed!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you mon ami!
      It is good to be back. I feel like I am once again back amongst my friends in a rather nice club that we all belong to.

      Delete
  9. Your summer looks as if it was a marvellous event.
    It was great to come along on your travels :-)
    Di
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Di,
      It was a lovely summer and I'm glad you came along!
      Kirk

      Delete
  10. KIRK! IT IS SO NICE TO SEE YOU!

    First of all, I was sad when I saw that you were going to close down your blog for a bit, but now you are back????? What a lovely trip you have made, and every item here holds true magic for me. You know here in the USA, we have our history, our antiques and beautiful places, but there in your part of the world, the ancient ruins and worn paths covered by so many generations of history-makers...it is just enchanting. From the lovely gardens to the eery but wonderful church statues and TEA TIME (my favorite thing to do on a cold day!) just captivate me.

    You are ever so kind to come to visit me; yes, chandeliers are great, aren't they? I have at least five in my home that just sparkle and enchant me at night. How I would love to sit down to a "proper" English tea with lots of that CREAM!!!

    Many happy wishes for a lovely repose at home with your loved one. Anita

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Anita,
      Thank you for your kind comments.
      Tea time is one of my favourite times of day too.
      When I was growing up my father always made sure that whatever we were doing, we stopped, in time for tea - and now I do the same!
      Bye for now
      Kirk

      Delete
  11. Hello Kirk, I was just thinking that we hadn't heard from you in a while. I see from your photos, so entertainingly presented here, that you didn't waste one moment of your vacation. While I would love to see each of those places myself, the two bell pictures were ultra-cool!
    --Road to Parnassus

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    Replies
    1. Dear Jim,
      I climbed up a rickety old church tower, with the local bell ringer, who then took my camera and clambered amongst the woodwork to take this photo for me. The bell in the far corner was provided by an ancestor of mine and I wanted to see it! It was a highlight of our trip.
      Kirk

      Delete
  12. Good, Kirk, and good, AGA, you're back. It's been a little boring without your pepper.
    I can't believe you actually got two months off, but it looks like not a minute's been wasted.
    You've got enough stories here to create a great many posts. Lovely to have you back again.
    Keep the postcards coming! Faisal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Faisal,
      Thank you for your kind comments.
      Two months off are the fruits, of the benefits, of our line of work. . .
      I think that I have gained material for some nice posts.
      Bye for now
      Kirk

      Delete
  13. Dear Kirk,
    Welcome back! It seems you've had the most perfect holiday possible, and I'm so happy for you both! It looks like you've added to your brass candlestick collection-- how wonderful! Enjoy your homecoming-- I can't wait to hear all about your adventures...
    Warm regards,
    Erika

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Erika,
      That candlestick collection just grows and grows!
      It was a lovely holiday and now I am looking forward to the next one...
      Kind Regards always
      Kirk

      Delete
  14. Welcome back, you busy boys! :) Over 2 months??!! You don't call. You don't write. Don't you love us anymore? That's okay, we forgive you anyhow. Look forward to hearing all about your summer. Wonderful photos!
    xo
    Loi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Loi,
      Even though we were here, there, and everywhere; you were never far from our thoughts - especially when we saw a stylish interior ;-)
      xo
      Kirk

      PS
      It's good to be back!

      Delete
  15. Kirk, I love your new teapot. Is it ceramic?
    Welcome back to blogging!

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    Replies
    1. Dear Nadezda,
      Thank you for your kind words.
      Yes, the teapot is ceramic. It is a Victorian teapot from about the 1890s (I think). I love the pattern on it plus it is very sturdy.

      Delete
  16. I recognise the photos of Burghley - how funny, we were there 2 weeks ago! Such a pity we didn't run into each other. Glad you had a great time 'a wandering'. David.

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    Replies
    1. Dear David,
      I loved visiting Burghley - it was the first time I had been there. It would have been fab to have met up but we were long gone by the time you arrived. It sounds like you had a good time too!
      Bye for now
      Kirk

      Delete
  17. Hi Kirk,

    Welcome back! It's a joy seeing your comments on my blog and one of your new posts. Sorry I am late replying, but I had a busy week. Congratulations on the birth of the new addition to your family :-)

    Your days in the English countryside sound idyllic. Happy to hear you enjoyed yourself and forgot the time. Those days are the best......

    The china on the dining table looks so very very pretty. Such a shame you weren't able to take some with you ;-)! The candlesticks and the teapot are beautiful additions to your home!

    Have a good weekend!

    Madelief x

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