Quaint, Quaint, Quaint

After packing all our stuff we headed off to catch a tube to Paddington for the train to Cheltenham Spa in the morning. Unfortunately, the tubes were all a bit late and we missed our train!! whoopsie.....

Stella on the tube

We were visiting friends that M&D met when they were in India. James and Tracey had been to stay at our house apparently and M&D were very excited to catch up wth them again, on their turf. They had both taken a couple of days of work to see us, so we really didn't want to let them down by not getting the train!

After a very scary episode with the train people (they wanted to charge M&D £44 each to get the next train!!) we decided to take our chances with our original tickets (which only cost £9 in the first place!). As it turned out we were fine and the ticket inspectors didn't even notice. phew!

The train trip took a couple of hours and we saw some lovely country side and lovely towns on the way. James and Tracey were there to meet us when we arrived and took us back to their lovely house for a nice catch-up. Tracey had to go back to work for a few hours, but James and M&D took me for a nice brisk walk around their neighbourhood. I had only slept for about 1/2 hour all day so having a wee nap then did me the world of good!

James and Tracey outside their house

After I went to bed, they all had a HUGE Chinese Takeaway and after stuffing themselves had a bit of an early night, I think.

We set off the next morning in search of quaintness in the Coltswolds! Just the drive there was amazing - there was snow on all the fields and we drove down tiny country roads lined with hedges and stone walls.

The first village we visited was Bibury. It was just so gorgeous! The stone houses were tiny - Mum had to duck under the doorways. We went to a lovely old pub called the Catherine Wheel and played a board game and I had my lunch. I think I love these English pubs as much as M&D do - no one seems to mind me being there and all the oldies just love me!

Bibury

Kevin and Stella outside a house in Bibury

Next stop was the prettiest village you have every seen - Boughton on the Water. There was a small river running down the middle with all these little bridge crossing it. All the buildings were stone and with the Christmas lights on it looked just like something you might see on a Christmas card! We went to another pub (so M&D could have their lunch too, of course), and by the time we came out it was getting a bit cold and dark (about 3.30pm!), so we headed back to James and Tracey's (after James managed to get the car working again!).

After I went to bed, Tracey cooked a lovely big roast dinner apparently and they all played another game (this time M&D won - yeah!) while it cooked. By all accounts they all had a wonderfully relaxing, enjoyable and fun evening!

Before we got back on the train on Friday afternoon, we all had a good look around Cheltenham Spa. It's a lovely town, with so many old period buildings! I think Mum wants to be transported back in time (only if she gets to be rich and not the person polishing the candle stick holders though....). I had my lunch in a lovely cafe while the others enjoyed roast pork/turkey rolls, followed by a Corish Pasty while they walked back to the car and headed to the train.

Once we made it back to Paddington I got to experience the tube in rush hour! Somehow we managed to be getting the tube at 5.05pm and it was packed with commuters and holiday makers. We did it though and it can't have been that bad, because I managed to sleep through the entire thing!

written by

megankevin on December 11, 2008 from Cheltenham, United Kingdom

from the travel blog: London

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Fantastic, sounds like you are having a great time, We miss Baby Stella oh M & D too.

written by David on December 15, 2008

Hi Stella' I so wish I had come with you! You sound so well and happy and M&D too. Can't wait to see your travel pics. Lots of Love Nana and Don

written by Esther & Don Sweet on December 15, 2008

Looks like Stella is getting good use of the Katmandu all in one!!

written by Sarah diamond on December 16, 2008

Looks like a great time you're having! Love the pics of Stells in her Khatmandu 'onsie' - her cheeks look very red, it must be chilly!

I'll bet time is flying. Nice seeing pics of Kev's family - they must be loving seeing stella. Dawn's daughter looks like a little doll - gorgeous!

written by Marianna on December 17, 2008

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