England Holybourne in Hampshire

It is a specials treat to have friends who welcome us into their home and then do such a fantastic job of making us feel welcome and showing us their community. Nick and Janet Cane are two such friends. Waiting with open arms at Heathrow they collect us in the Jag and off we go to the lovely village of Holybourne where they have settled into idyllic village life post retirement. Home is a 200 year old victorian that has been carefully and lovingly updated. A walled garden is their pastoral paradise. A kitchen garden, a green house, a summer house for afternoon tea and a velvet green carpet of grass bordered by flower beds filled with colorful blooms. Fuschia is almost a weed and summer of unrelenting rain has given way to clear blue skies that we take full credit for. Brought it on the plane.

The summer house in the garden. If we weren't having tea it was sundowners here.

 

The first day we zoomed off to New Forest, that is planted in 1050 something so it is the NEW Forest. The wonderful experience of English roundabouts driven by a local and the way they are meant to be driven, at speed. Flying down narrow roads lined with hedges to the very edge and getting an occasional glimpse of English countryside spread out like storybook land. Crystal clear streams and rivers wander through every shade of green and dotted with spreading trees. Fat sheep and happy cattle wander out into the road and wild horses gambol through the forest. Then the forest opens unto the open moors completely carpeted with lavender heather. Our eyes are getting tired of gazing at so much that is so fascinating to us.

Jon at a car museum

 

There are thatched roof cottages, half timbered Norman manors plus an occasional grand manor house. Lunch at the Pig, down a narrow unmarked road up an equally unmarked lane and there is an exquisite country inn that you have to know about to find. food lives up to the setting.

The next day is off to Winchester to visit the Cathedral, lunch in a 560 year old pub, and then a party at their home to meet their friends. All interesting and vibrant people who love their village and feel blessed to live there.

There is no way to describe he special experience of being treated by locals and Nick and Janet are exceptional in that we felt they were having as much fun as we were. If not they do a great job of playacting. One thing that is interesting is that as much as Brits enjoyed the real Olympics they are mad for the para olympics. Hugescreens are set up in parks everywhere and most have gone to see an event. The stadiums are packed.

Olympic art work done by school children and hung in the great hall of king Arthur. These are circles made of yarn and they are 30 x 10 each.

 

Posted with Blogsy