The first garden show of the year

May 9, 2013 by 2 Comments

havesToday is the first day of the Malvern Spring Gardening Show – the first garden show of the year and the start of a new season. All the garden designers in Worcestershire have been busy creating the most beautiful gardens hoping that they may get a gold medal.

The exhibition area is located near the beautiful Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, so there is plenty to see during and after the show.

The big tent is the centre of it all, and it is packed with flowers and arrangements in beautiful colours. More than 100 nurseries are represented, and only the most perfect flowers are on show.

Some of the highlights will be demonstrations, talks, botanical and flower art, great food and lots of possibilities to do some shopping for the garden at home.

Fotos: © Mia Folkmann

Filed Under: Culture, England, Flowers, Gardens, Worcestershire Tagged With: , ,

Looking for spring

April 7, 2013 by 2 Comments

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Winter has gone I think – at least in Worcestershire. But it is still cold, and there is still snow on the Malvern Hills and also on the hills in the Cotswolds, where I was on the lookout for signs of spring…

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As I have done many times before I went to Stow-on-the-Wold, where I know a cosy café with delicious cakes and a good book shop with a very friendly dog – and after visiting both I went for a walk.

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There were many people in the town because of an Antique Fair, but you didn’t have to move very far away from the centre to feel the town’s peaceful atmosphere.

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And the signs of spring appeared in containers and beds in front of the houses; a restaurant had filled its window boxes with hyacinths, which were just waiting for a little more heat from the sun.

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Afterwards I continued the journey to Broadway and Snowshill, where I was to pick up supplies of lovely lavender soaps for my shop. Again, there were lots of signs of spring – they were small, but they were there. Everywhere…!

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Fotos: © Mia Folkmann

Filed Under: England, Flowers, Houses, villages, Worcestershire Tagged With: , ,

HomeAway

January 20, 2013 by 4 Comments

And then came the snow! Lots of it – but this is actually only the second time, I myself see Hollymount covered in snow, so it doesn’t happen too often.

I have rented Hollymount out as a self catering holiday home for many years now, but from this year I’ll do it myself via the international site, HomeAway. In this way I can rent out the house, while I am in Denmark and combine it with Bed and Breakfast, while I am in England.

I am looking forward to having guests from Denmark and everywhere else in the world. Hollymount is a wonderful place, and I will be pleased to share all the good experiences with those, who love beautiful nature with wide views, lots of animals of all kinds and peace and quiet.

Filed Under: England, Houses, Travels, Worcestershire Tagged With: , , , ,

A trip to Worcester

January 18, 2013 by 2 Comments

We braced the cold weather and went to Worcester. The longest river of Great Britain, the Severn, passes through the city, and adjacent to it lays Worcester Cathedral, architecturally considered to be one of England’s most exciting cathedrals. And it IS impressing with beautifully decorated ceilings high, high above the arches.

Every Sunday between 9.30 and 10.30 the cathedral bells are ringing, and it is done by voluntary “bell ringers”. There are 15 giant bells with a total of 16 tons, so it’s probably not easy to get the tones right.

Worcester is a city with many old half-timbered houses, especially in Friar Street – just behind the main street with all the shops. Greyfriars’ House is one of the most beautiful, and it was built in 1480 by a wealthy brewer. The house was decorated as it was appropriate for a man of position, and exhibitions in the house shows the changes over the years. Behind the house is a lovely garden where you can drink afternoon tea in the summer.

But today we preferred a visit to the beautiful bookstore and an indoor coffee at Costa cafe…

Filed Under: Culture, England, Houses, Travels Tagged With: , , ,

When in England

January 13, 2013 by 4 Comments

The weather forecast has promised snow, but I still haven’t seen any. Today has been beautiful with sun and clear sky, and I have enjoyed staying here in my very old house.

From the windows I have a beautiful view to the Malvern Hills, and I went for a walk there earlier today. The town has a very elevated position, and walking can be quit strenuous – but nevertheless it’s always a pleasure. If you feel like walking in the hills, you will get a treat at the top – the view from there is simply fantastic.

Filed Under: England Tagged With: ,

Back to England

January 6, 2013 by 4 Comments

590broadIt’s time for me to go back to England! As you may know I share my life between Denmark and England with a little stop in between in Bruges/Belgium.

This way I’ll get the best of two worlds, and I do love to travel. Even this time of year has rewarding moments and lovely sunny spells, and I am so looking forward to visiting my favourite villages and places.

This little village is Broadway, and I go there as often as I can. Last time I visited was in November, and as you can see the weather was beautiful.

Broadway has always been an inspiration for artists and the like – one of them was William Morris, who loved the area and at one time lived in the little tower close to the village.

Photo: ©  Mia Folkmann

Filed Under: England, villages, Worcestershire Tagged With: , ,

Unexpected guests

January 4, 2013 by 6 Comments

ballonnyWhen I am in England, I often get visitors in hot air balloons. I would like to try a ride in one of these some day, but until then I just watch them pass by.

And every time I think about the advertisement from the coffee company GEVALIA: What would you offer unexpected guests…

SKYWATCH is a weekly gathering of sky lovers and sky watchers. Please join us…

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Photo: ©  Mia Folkmann

Filed Under: England Tagged With: ,

Happy New Year!

December 31, 2012 by 2 Comments

590husWith a new year and a new calendar it’s the time for making plans. I do this too, because I always have so many. Some plans will be accomplished; others won’t – that’s the way it is, but I will try to accomplish as many as I can.

One of my plans for 2013 is more posts on this site. There are so many lovely things to show and write about; so many experiences to share, and I love to focus on the good things.

On this last day of the year I will wish you all a very Happy New Year and bring a lovely, summery picture from an English garden in Chipping Campden. Isn’t it pretty?!

Photo: ©  Mia Folkmann

Filed Under: England, Travels, villages Tagged With: ,

Lovely Snowshill

December 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Snowshill is a beautiful little village in Worcestershire, and it must be one of the most photographed in the Cotswolds. When I was there, the November sun shined most kindly, and I stood between the pub and the old church and listened to all the birds singing.

The surroundings were so incredibly idyllic and very, very English. And at that moment Snowshill was the most perfect place to just be…

Photo: © Mia Folkmann

Filed Under: England, Nostalgia, Travels, villages, Worcestershire Tagged With: , ,

Small trains – great joys!

July 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment

You don’t have to be a child to adore these trains that are perfect copies of the real thing. When I was in England, I accidentally found this miniature railway belonging to one of the huge garden centres.

I had a chat with these gentlemen, who didn’t mind me taking pictures for the blog, and their enthusiasm was not only apparent, but also very contagious.

The small trains runs on steam, and the ride goes through the old apple orchards Evesham is so famous for. You can take a break from the journey and have lunch or walk by the river or just enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

I came too late in the day to take the trip myself, but it is definitely on my “to do” list for next time…

Photo: © Mia Folkmann

Filed Under: England, Nostalgia Tagged With: , , ,
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