A pleasant late summer…….

….. we’ve had a steady stream of visitors to stay over the past few weeks and showing them around has reinforced for us, the beauty of the environment we are living in.

We get to wander down the garden path to our “pub gate” and visit our ‘local’ which is a character filled 17^th century English pub.

Malmsbury is just down the road with it’s beautiful abbey dating back to 676!…..good ancient pub there also!

We have spare tennis rackets and have enjoyed some hilarious “anything goes” games of doubles. We have our own rules – no scores – no killing yourself to get to a ball – if the ball is still moving it’s in play – hardly Wimbledon but fun!

The heating in the pool has been turned off but it’s sitting at around 24 degrees which is pleasant enough if you are hardy Kiwis – we are and so are some of our visitors!

We’ve also visited Sudley Castle where Katherine Parr (the last wife of Henry VIII) lived and died. We have joined the National Trust, which for a small annual fee you can visit heaps of amazing old houses and gardens – they do nice ‘teas’ also, which is rather different to our Ponsonby café culture – but hey! “When in Rome…….”

…..Speaking of which…tomorrow we are off to Italy for two weeks….our first time, but a lifelong dream…….

It’s been a mission getting everything and everyone in place here so we can get away for an extended period, but this time tomorrow we’ll be on our way……….we think of you heaps and wish you were here xxxxxxxxx