pinkbirdflies

Truly lovely walks along the public footpaths around Coxheath. Every shade of green, lush foliage and the twittering of birds is amazing. Apples and strawberries growing along the path and panoramic views across the Kent countryside which is dotted with Oast houses.These distinctive buildings were designed to drying hops and are conical in shape with a cowl on top, many now converted to parts of houses.

Left Holyport in Maidenhead and drove along the Motorways in Percy Peugeot to Coxheath which is an outer part of Maidstone in Kent. I’m house and pet sitting for Bianca in her home in ClockHouse Rise, a newer styled housing estate. Max (sausage dog), Bailey (Beagle/Lab cross) and Jinx the black cat are all adorable. Bailey is still young and full of energy and got straight into mischief when I popped down to the local shop….

I met up with Lucy who lives here in England and who I last saw in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy this time 3 years ago. We finally caught up with one another in Windsor. We had a lovely afternoon talking, visiting Windsor Castle, taste testing fudge and having a drink in a pub in Eton. It was great to see her!

Scruffy the Border Terrier has been enjoying our daily walks along the paths and through the fields. He developed some nasty coughing and choking and it sounded like some obstruction in his throat he was trying to clear…after a rough night (because he likes to sleep on the bed with me!) I was at the vet first thing and the diagnosis was classic Kennel Cough. Apparently it can be contracted irregardless of previous vaccination! So, anti inflammatories and rest for poor old Scruff!

Eton town itself is full of character and dominated of course by England’s prestigious and expensive private  independent boys boarding school founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. I saw the boys moving between classes in their traditional uniform of black tailcoat, waistcoat, false collar and pin striped trousers. The Geography department looked fancy and I reflected on good old Melville High, drawing a few comparisons! I wonder if they have any job vacancies?

Wandered around Marlow and Henley-on-Thames, both with lovely High streets and life based around the river. Henley of course being famous for the annual regatta and everything rowing…. had a coffee and the cafe was filled with young  American women rowers in town for a regatta. Its an interesting time in England as the nation prepares to vote in the up coming referendum in regards to staying in the European Union or not..campaign signs everywhere and people have their preference displayed in their front windows!

Spent a lovely time at the National Trust property “Cliveden” with loads of history and where the “Profumo” affair started…sex, scandal and threats to national security all from a pool party liasion!

As the Thames flows to its estuary it passes through many villages, towns and cities. Along the way there is an amazing system of weirs, locks and canals which the British use extensively with the canalboats, cruisers, sailboats, canoes, rowers and walkers along the old tow paths and many public footways which make it all very accessible. I explored Boulters Lock and Ray Mill island near Maidenhead before driving up the road to Cookham where I saw little sign saying 11 Century church. This resulted in attending the Cookham Church Queens 90th Birthday celebrations with a saxophone ensemble in the church and tea and cake in the parish hall. I was joined for tea by a lovely local parishioner who directed me to the remarkable small gallery of Stanley Spencer.  Being ignorant of this wonderful artist I googled to find out that he was one of Britain’s greatest painters of the twentieth century and Cookham was his beloved home town. It was a great exhibition with “Magnolias” and “Southward” being my favourites.

Picked up “Percy Peugeot” and nervously drove from Gatwick along various motorways with 2 GPS, neither of which was working properly, and somehow miraculously arrived at “Woodland”, Gila’s house in Holyport, near Maidenhead, to start my first house and pet sitting stint. I spent the afternoon and night at The Oakley Court Hotel before Gila welcomed me into her home, showed me around and took me shopping at Waitrose before flying to Australia. Scruffy is a Border Terrier who is very friendly and well behaved. Apple is the ‘purrfect ‘cat, so it will be a lovely experience living like a local for a little while.

A glorious drive through the Essex countryside to the town of Saffron Walden dating in parts from the 12th Century and featuring half timbered tudor style buildings and the largest church in Essex. Thaxted was a lovely town with the Church of St. John the Baptist, a windmill and thatched roof Almshouses…had my first Pimms of the season at The Swan Hotel before continuing on to the picturesque East Bergholt, the birthplace of the Artist John Constable. Explored the National Trust managed Flatford Mill, the setting for 2 of Constable’s famous paintings, The Hay Wain and The Mill Stream. Perfect weather, pretty river Stour, an electric boat trip on the water and a cream tea to top it off. Pure English enjoyment!