Back home now. It's not terribly far from the heart of Leicestershire to our home in Sheffield. Clint made it in one hour and forty minutes.
Last evening we visited "The Fox and Hounds" in Tugby for a second meal there. Once again the fayre and the service were excellent. Stewart and I had homemade steak pies with fries (English: chips) fresh vegetables and beef gravy. Shirley had a Moroccan chicken dish with couscous and Frances had a pork medley with mashed potato and side vegetables. For dessert, we all opted for homemade sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. Mouth-watering deliciousness.
The owner of Chestnut Cottage lived right next door in Glebe Cottage and she was cool about us departing by midday rather than by 10am as stated on the contract. We toddled north across the A47 to visit a modern cafe that is very popular with cyclists and locals alike. It is called Café Ventoux and there they serve great English breakfasts, including a splendid vegetarian option. Phoebe was her usual contented self. So far in her short life, she has always been calm and smiley in eateries, showing a lovely, easy disposition that we hope will endure.
Oh it was good to get away to Leicestershire - not a typical holiday destination for English folk but we loved it all the same. Of course, the good weather helped a great deal but we were also very happy with our spacious, comfortable cottage overlooking the village's little primary school and the village green. I will always remember Tugby as sweetly as we will surely remember the local area - a green and pleasant land.
England is a beautiful place to holiday when the sun shines. I like the photo of the skittish cattle.
ReplyDeleteNo other country in the world has footpaths like ours - they have taken me to so many beautiful places.
DeleteGlad to hear that you enjoyed your holiday. Sometimes it is good just to have a change of pace and see other people and places.
ReplyDeleteThe carving in your first photo is intriguing. I can't make out whether he is smiling or screaming, and it looks as though he has hands growing out of his temples. Strange.
Yes. Those hands and his wild expression caught my eye too. I think it might be Dave Northsider.
DeleteThat is a very dentally distinguished medieval carving! Glad you had a good conclusion to your vacation. It sounds like a great place to visit. I'm stunned that you used the American word "fries" BEFORE you used the English "chips"!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you spotted that Steve!
DeleteEverything you told us about your holiday sounds like it was a really good one - and little Phoebe‘s first!
ReplyDeleteShe is so lovely when she first wakes up. Ready smiles and slightly mischievous too. I bet you were like that!
DeleteYou should become an adopted Leicestershire citizen YP. Those Melton Mowbray pork pies would be good substitutes for the Yorkshire Puddings. I enjoyed your holiday adventures this week.
ReplyDeleteHappy to have taken you to Leicestershire my friend.
DeleteHow lovely to have holiday with the whole family enjoying the company of each other. Well, it was not your whole family, I guess, without your son, but you know what I mean. The weather did seem glorious, indeed. The Princess leaves for England the first of next month so I hope your pleasant weather will hold on for a little while longer. We have just returned from California where the whole family celebrated the marriage of our Prince. Now, time to settle in, clean up the flower and vegetable gardens and wait for the cold and snow to come.
ReplyDeleteI am not on Facebook but Shirley showed me pictures of The Prince's wedding with you and The Big Bear in your finery. What a great day. Congratulations! Will The Prince and his lady live in Minnesota? I can't keep track.
DeleteOh my,those cows! I think you are very brave getting that close. So glad you had a good holiday and Phoebe enjoyed herself also.
ReplyDeleteI am indeed brave Terry. I am like Robin Hood even though I haven't got a band of merry men.
DeleteJust as well, YP - you'd never get them all in Clint!
DeleteI could just take Maid Marian then. Find a nice quiet lay-by.
DeleteI think it's a lovely thing to be a tourist in your own land. I love being a tourist in Florida. What a great idea this get-away was!
ReplyDeleteShirley was a little apprehensive. What could Leicestershire offer? But now she is very happy we went there.
DeleteThe scenery is so nice. I wonder about the story of the boat.
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about the boat except that I am not the only one who has sbnapped that composition Andrew.
DeleteIs it good to be home?
ReplyDeleteIt's okay but I would have liked more than eight nights away.
DeleteThose cattle seem nervous.:) The best get aways are often off the beaten path. I hope Phoebe's demeanor continues to be placid; however, she isn't yet three. That was a nasty age in my house.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Three Warning Margaret! Of course there's The Terrible Twos to get through first!
DeleteSometimes visiting out of thee way places can give us a big surprise. We find that some of these places can be very interesting.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Red.
DeleteLike the view of the church.
ReplyDeleteThanks Captain Haddock. Remember "Tin-Tin"?
DeleteAs always fascinating glimpses of the countryside 'up north'. That carving looks like a death mask, he has seen something terrible, or he has a bad headache.
ReplyDeleteI think he has just seen Boris Johnson having a shower. Imagine.
DeleteI am pleased that my home county gave you a lovely holiday!
ReplyDeleteAnd I am sorry we did not make it to Bradgate Park but one day...before too long I will go there.
DeletePlease do.....go in at the Newtown Linford end and walk along the river until it opens out and then turn left and walk up to Old John.
DeleteLooking closely at that first photo, I think those "hands" are meant to be folds and braiding of a traditional headdress. He doesn't look very happy does he, but with those teeth, maybe he's due for a visit to the dentist!
ReplyDeleteFrom the angle of the second photo, from a quick glance it seems the church is growing out of the boat.
You are right about the boat/church photo. I should have composed that picture differently. As for the carved head, you might be right about headgear but I am not sure about that. I think he might be holding up the weight of the roof.
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