Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas and I hope everyone has a lovely day.

A Rather Eventful Visit to Herefordshire

 

During the cold spell at the end of November and beginning of December we went to the caravan for a few days. It turned out to be much colder than we thought!

There has been quite a change in the Herefordshire Oak in the course of a few weeks!

The Octopus Tree and

the Constable Tree

We woke up to frosty mornings.

One night there were reports that people were seeing the Northern Lights all over the UK so we popped outside for a look.  Apart from a slight glow on the horizon which was probably something else we had no luck.

On the second morning we woke to find we had no running water and the kitchen waste pipe wasn't working! It had apparently been minus 8 the night before.  We discovered we had two frozen pipes on the exterior of the caravan. Normally when we are not there we turn off water to the caravan and do a mini draindown but of course being there this had been reversed!  The laundrette on site was thankfully open and we were able to get water for a cup of tea.  At lunchtime there was no sign of the pipes unfreezing so B went into Leominster to buy a hairdryer to try and help them along. Fortunately that idea eventually worked and we had water and a working kitchen waste pipe again! B also added more lagging to the exterior pipes.  It was a right pain as there were two events I was keen on attending - a Christmas Tree Festival at Bromyard Church and a display through Leominster of tractors decorated with a Christmas Theme and all lit up. After the palaver with the pipes I went off the idea of going - sadly David didn't come on this trip otherwise he may have jollied me along to make the effort!

While B was in Leominster this pheasant came to the door to say "hello"! and to cheer me up!

We will pay one more short visit  in December mainly to winterise it properly!  The site is closed in January and February.

Herefordshire 2023 - November Visit Part 4: The Hop Pocket and a Trip To Coleshill

 

We made a detour on the way home to visit the Hop Pocket by Bishop's Frome. Its a nursery but there are also a number of independent shops there and a farm shop. Its a good place to look for gifts.

There was a wonderful selection of Logaston Press books.

On the Saturday back at home we visited Coleshill as there was an Antiques and Vintage Fayre being held in the Town Hall.  After a comment left on a previous post by Wessex Reiver I'd also spent some time researching Coleshill again. According to several websites there is supposedly a rare Edward VIII post box just past Packington Lane. The only one I could find in that area was a George VI postbox  although it did have a splendid postbox topper :)  I am not sure if the Edward VIII post box is located elsewhere or whether the information is incorrect.

Coleshill was once an important staging post on the London to Holyhead route and from London to Chester and Liverpool. At one stage there were over 20 coaching inns in the town and quite a few remain!

Plants in Pavements

We briefly visited the Antiques Fayre but to be honest there was not a lot of interest for us and we couldn't find the stamp stand.

All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one I would be grateful for an email first - thanks).

Herefordshire 2023 - November Visit - Part 3: Leominster

 

On the Thursday rain was forecast but it was actually dry, if cloudy, all day.

We've moved the birdbath to the border under the hawthorn hedge so we can see it from the kitchen window.

We've put the sundial where the birdbath was at the side of the caravan.  The pot isn't as tall as I would have liked a plinth to be but at least we have somewhere to put the sundial itself.

View from the window by the table. 

D and I had talked of going to the Hop Pocket Shopping Village on the Thursday and I was hoping to stop off too at Bishop's Frome church but B wanted some things from Leominster so Leominster it was!  Sorry the posts this visit are all a bit samey and I know I post about Tenbury Wells and Leominster a lot!

As with other market towns in the area Leominster is blessed with a good selection of independent shops.  This stationer's is one of D and I's favourites.

This is the little art gallery where B bought my 70th birthday painting last year - some of you may remember it.

I spent a fortune in Rossiters bookshop.  Some presents but I have to admit a few sneaky items for me too!  I've found another print of a British Rail poster of Herefordshire - this time featuring a view of Weobley village.  I also bought a recently published book comprising The Shropshire Lad by A E Houseman illustrated with photos of Shropshire.

A yet to be decorated Christmas Tree in the market square.

We stopped off at B and Q and went a walk along the River Kenwater which was very high.

All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one or one of my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks).