Archives for posts with tag: collecting

From Chipping Campden, we took a local bus to Broadway, crossing over the county line into Worcestershire, and then walked back into Gloucestershire for about an hour to our second National Trust property, Snowshill – immediately heading to the café for a cream tea to help recover from the last long hill!

Another spectacular place, filled with awe and wonder. Charles Paget Wade, architect and collector, purchased the estate just after WWI, and gave it to the National Trust a few years before he died in the early 1950s. The grounds are beautiful: simple walled decorative gardens near the manor, orchards of apples, and pasture for sheep. A tenant farmer still raises sheep on the property, and the apples from the orchard are used for delectable treats in the cafe. Next to the manor is a small priest’s house where Mr Wade lived while he filled the manor with his collections, which are vast; a passion he acquired as a small child.

The walk from Broadway was very pretty, although a bit treacherous on a narrow country road. The cream tea was calling and we persevered!

Snowshill1

Snowshill2

Snowshill3

The grounds were so lovely, with apples and flowers, a miniature harbour village, and a magical stormy sky all around.

Snowshill4

Snowshill5

Snowshill6

Snowshill7

Snowshill8

Snowshill9

Snowshill10

Snowshill12

Snowshill13

Snowshill14

Snowshill15

The collections: everything from bicycles, to musical instruments, to kitchen items, to prisoner-of-war bone carvings, to religious items, to over 2000 pieces of costume, and on and on.

Snowshill11a

Snowshill11b

Snowshill11c

Snowshill11d

Snowshill11e

Snowshill11g

Snowshill11h

We ended the adventure with a drink just around the corner in Snowshill Village at the Snowshill Arms, before walking back to Broadway to catch a bus home.

Snowshill16

My first English pub experience. I had a small sherry!

Snowshill17

 

 

Our friend Annie is extraordinary and lovely. She’s a painter, fabric artist and wonderful chef. Many of my posts have already included her home and amazing cooking. When last we were there, the light was so gorgeous that I had to take many photos inside her home. We have some of Annie’s art in our on-line store, and if you are in Victoria BC, visit Eclectic Gallery who carry her art cards and fabric creations.

Beautiful Annie

Beautiful Annie

Sunlight and shadow magic with Annie's paintings and peacock feathers.

Sunlight and shadow magic with Annie’s paintings and peacock feathers.

Annie's House

Annie’s House

Annie's House

Annie’s House

Annie has a way with fabric, even if it's just draped for curtains.

Annie has a way with fabric, even if it’s just draped for curtains.

Sunlight and shadow magic.

More magic with sunlight and shadow.

Sweet Carlos takes a break from his crazy friend Zelda, who was moving too fast to be part of this photo series.

Sweet Carlos takes a break from his crazy friend Zelda, who was moving too fast to be part of this photo series. He is surrounded by his mamma’s incredible fabric art.

One of GJ's copper bud vases and a colourful plate rest on a small embroidered piece by Annie.

One of GJ’s copper bud vases and a colourful plate rest on a small embroidered piece by Annie.

Annie's Kitchen

Annie’s Kitchen

Annie's Kitchen

Annie’s Kitchen

Annie's House

Annie’s House

Clockwise from top left: curry dip for veggies, lentil samosas with tamarind chutney and potato samosas with tomato chutney. Yum.

Clockwise from top left: curry dip for veggies, lentil samosas with tamarind chutney, and potato samosas with tomato chutney. Yum.