Vale of Evesham - Blossom Tour ( 21/04/10 )

As Engand was embracing Springtime with the first warm sunny days, I decided to tour the Vale of Evesham through the Blossom Trail and was I in for a lovely surprise

My first stop was in my favorite village of the Cotswolds, Broadway or the "Show Village of England" where I had a coffee and strolled through the streets filled with quaint little shops and Art galleries.

I then headed to the town of Evesham upon which I knew very little and I really enjoyed discovering its history and heritage at the Almonry Museum, then walked through the old town to the Church of All Saints and the beautiful Abbey Bell Tower which dominates a lovely park which strolls down to the river Avon.

I decided on a light spot of lunch and the weather was so fine that I embarked on a mini river trip that took me along the banks of the river on a old fashioned boat.

I then took the "Blossom Trail" from Evesham which is also famous for growing Asparagus, hence its very popular Asparagas Festival in May, through the Lenches with its beautiful villages ( Church Lench, Atch Lench, etc. ) until the lovely little town of Pershore which also hosts a popular Plum Festival in August.

The Evesham Vale was already famous for its orchards ( Apple, Pear, Cherry, Plum ) in Medieval times and is well worth a visit, especially at Springtime

The perfect ending to a perfect day was a visit to the Evesham Countrypark with its farmshops and fun narrow gauge railway

Here are a few pictures of my day in the Evesham Vale

Village of Broadway





Evesham - Abbey Bell Tower



Evesham - Church of All Saints in bloom !



Evesham - View of the River Avon in bloom !

Evesham - Afternoon River Trip on the River Avon








Evesham Country Park - Narrow Gauge Railway

Birmingham Botanical Gardens (22/04/10 )

I discovered these gems of Botanical Gardens two years ago after attending a fair at the Birmingham NEC and was I in for a pleasant surprize

They are of course much smaller in scale and variety than places such as Kew Gardens, though 15 acres in size, but they are definitely well worth a visit especially at Springtime.

They are located in Edgbaston, a few miles away from Birmingham in a very leafy residential area.

They were created by leading Gardener J. C. Loudon and opened to the public in 1832.

At the time of my visit, the Botanical Gardens were holding a very interesting exhibition on the life and work of Charles Darwin.

Here are a few pictures of my visit this Spring to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in bloom, to say the least

The Pleasure Gardens viewed from the Loudon Terrace



The Loudon Terrace viewed from the Pleasure Gardens



The Victorian Flight Houses in bloom !



Inside the Victorian Flight House



The Shrubbery in full bloom by the Japanese Garden's Pond !

Here are a few pictures of my visit to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens this Spring ...

A beautiful Peacock which just happened to be passing by...



Fountain by the Pleasure Gardens



A Glorious "Piece of Sky"



A Cascading Pink Camelia



The Victorian Flight Houses in bloom !



Inside the Mediterranean Glass House



Inside the Victorian Flight Houses



Indoor Fountain in the Tropical Glass House

Stratford upon Avon ( 27/05/10 )

I fell in love with this quintessential English town long before I first visited it and each new visit is a delight in itself

Shakespeare's birth town is attractive in all seasons and I love walking though the historic streets with their beautiful buildings and delightful shops, cafes and restaurants.

Over the years, Startford upon Avon has really succeeded in its gracious transformation and I love the visual presentation now available at the Shakespeare's Bitrthplace which really takes you back in times with a very effective introductory "3D" presentation.

After years of building works, the canal area is finally complete and I just loved the way the Garden Designers laid English mixed borders rather than simple flower beds in the areas surrounding the magnificent bronze statue of William Shakespeare by the canal and its boats as the effect is simply stunning and yet so refreshing.

I love Nature and outdoors so I could not resist re-visiting Anna Hattaway's Cottage in bloom and Mary Arden's Tudor Farm and spent a delightful afternoon there as the weather was just perfect.

I highly recommend the Tudor Festival which takes place in May at Mary Arden's Farm for its joyous mix of country scenes and period costumes !

Stratford upon Avon truly is a delight of a town, whatever the season

William Shakespeare's Bronze Statue by the Canal



Hamlet's Statue - To Be or Not to Be ?



The delightful newly designed River Avon Canal Area

William Shakespeare's Birthplace in bloom



A Wall Tapestry of Wisteria in Bloom by Shakespeare's Birthplace



Anne Hattaways' Cottage in bloom !