Sunday 21 June 2015

One mile an hour

A Sunday afternoon walk, and a new low as far as speed goes.  A two mile walk took us two whole hours.  Honestly, I don't know how we manage it.

We were headed here, to the lovely Tudor manor house and church at Owlpen.




The trouble is, someone is always lagging behind.  The biggest boy likes to look for birds in every hedge and bush.  The other half likes to admire the architecture and landscape.  I like to photograph things.  And the littlest people are either commandoing through the undergrowth in the manner of Bear Grylls (or so they imagine, in reality it is more like a rhino approaching) or hitting things with sticks.  It makes for a pleasant afternoon, but we are SO slow.  Before children we used to walk for miles.  We're going on holiday to the mountains of north Wales soon, we're supposed to be in training.  At this rate we'll be spending the night halfway up.


Owlpen Manor is gorgeous, but it's not very easy to see from the road.  It dates from 1450, and now it's used as a wedding venue, that sort of thing.  If I was a different kind of blogger I'd spend the weekend there and give you a review, but as it is you'll have to imagine me sidling into the bottom of the garden and taking a few sneaky photos.









We had another cow moment on the way back.  We climbed over a small stile out of their field (just visible in the fence below) and as we each went over, the cows became more and more interested in what was going on.  Actually, I think they were bullocks because, well, you know.  Anyway I think that's the correct term but what do I know, just an ignorant city girl.  By the time I went over second last they had decided they wanted to get up close and personal, and by the time the biggest boy, who was last, was climbing up they were actually all trotting directly at him.  The littlest boy nearly fell off the next stile because he was shrieking with glee and laughing so much.


A farmer was hard at work, making the most of this longest day.  I always fancied being a farmer's wife.  Baking cakes and growing vegetables and keeping lambs in the bottom of the Aga, that sort of thing.  Nobody is to leave any comments shattering my illusions.


Love this tree growing right out of the bottom of the wall of this house.  The sort of thing a mortgage surveyor would make you chop down.  Oh that would make me cross.


The corner shop, only posher.  This one was opened by Prince Charles a couple of years ago.  We have a One Stop Shop here, it's not quite in the same league.  The posh one has bunting and a vintage "Postal Telegraph" sign.  We have kingsize Dairy Milk bars on BOGOF and two dozen cans of Stella for a tenner.


Uley church.  There was a notice in the porch saying that one-third of the country's 2,000 varieties of lichen are found in churchyards.  They like all the ancient stone.


Stained glass in a window put in in the early 1800s.  Wonderful detail.


On the drive home we stopped at this amazing viewpoint.  The river is in the distance.  The drop below is really steep, I imagine it would be amazing to hang glide off the edge.  Oh how I would scream.



You might be able to just make out a pointy mountain in the photo below in the far, far distance (centre horizon).  I told the boys we are going there to train next.  It's in the Black Mountains, not far from where the SAS train in the Brecon Beacons.  I have captured their imaginations and they're all terribly enthusiastic about it.


I've had a look, and it's a distance of four whole miles (!) which, because of the height of the thing (just under 2,000') is estimated to take between three and a half and five hours.  If we walk at one mile an hour, and a normal person walks at four miles an hour, then we will need to multiply by four.  So twenty hours should see us do it, although we may have to add in meal breaks.  I do hope I haven't bitten off more than we can chew.

37 comments:

  1. You did make me smile CJ - the slow walks where we all blame each other, but we are all just as bad :-) The house and gardens are so beautiful, can you imagine living there in times gone by? Wouldn't it have been wonderful! I did laugh with the hang gliding sign. I was imagining Del Boy and Rodney in that sketch on Only Fools and Horses - a quicker look around than walking I suppose. I hope the trip to Wales is a lot better and you will all be in your well practised stride! Have a wonderful week x

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  2. I should take a tent with you next time :o)

    Glorious pictures my dear. I especially like Owlpen Manor and would imagine I lived there whenever I visited it. Your flutter is a Speckled Wood (just in case you didn't know). Having been brought up in the country amongst farms and farmers, and then married a farmer's son I am saying nothing to shatter your illusions of bucolic perfection, as per your instructions. (we did sometimes warm exhausted and newly hatched goslings in the oven) xx

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  3. Wonderful countryside photos, Claire! I hope the bullocks didn't get too close.. they can be a bit scary. I remember visiting my aunt and uncle and was shown the BULL.. oh what a scary big man he was! I hope you all do well with your training and have a successful trek! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  4. Having had some limited experience of Welsh cows I can report that they tend to the stroppy side.. must be all the rain they have to endure. A couple of those behind you should speed things up a bit.

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  5. I so enjoyed going on this ramble with you :-) the topiaries! I love the contrast between that wonky formalities and the beautiful fields beyond.
    I remember when I was backpacking thru the UK, doing lots of walks thru the countryside, and meeting lots of cows and bulls most ignored me but some where scary!

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  6. A lovely post and glorious photographs dear C.J. Slow walks are the best, you get to notice more of the beauty of the countryside and great landmarks. When I was staying on my cousin's farm some of the cows managed to get out of their paddock, we managed to round them up but they are so big and not easy to coax back to where you want them if they find something especially nice to eat. They like to move at their own pace.
    Happy week!
    xoxoxo ♡

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  7. Maybe you can encourage a bit more speed. At 2 mph, you only have to walk for 10 hours!!!!

    Beautiful photos, as ALWAYS!

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  8. Enjoyed the stroll, definitely at my pace which made it even better LOL!!!! The stained glass window was a sight for sore eyes. You certainly stirred up my imagination with the posh shop I would love to pop in and see, somehow I don't think I would like the prices.

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  9. Beautiful and funny post. I love the look of Owlpen Manor and what a great name. Loved the cow moment too! The corner shop looks interesting but you can't knock BOGOF Dairy Milk! Maybe take some along as incentive on your next training walk? One square for every mile completed in a set time! I'm sure Wales will be fun, whatever the pace, and I seem to remember more sheep than cows! Have a great week. xx

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  10. Beautiful and funny post. I love the look of Owlpen Manor and what a great name. Loved the cow moment too! The corner shop looks interesting but you can't knock BOGOF Dairy Milk! Maybe take some along as incentive on your next training walk? One square for every mile completed in a set time! I'm sure Wales will be fun, whatever the pace, and I seem to remember more sheep than cows! Have a great week. xx

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  11. Beautiful and funny post. I love the look of Owlpen Manor and what a great name. Loved the cow moment too! The corner shop looks interesting but you can't knock BOGOF Dairy Milk! Maybe take some along as incentive on your next training walk? One square for every mile completed in a set time! I'm sure Wales will be fun, whatever the pace, and I seem to remember more sheep than cows! Have a great week. xx

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  12. I enjoyed your slow ramble - and had to look on the map to find the places you mention ... mmm a long long way from Suffolk. The manor is so beautiful, I love the roof shapes. Hope the training continues to go well.

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  13. Our cornershop is like yours, no bunting, just the Stella offers and (for good measure) a disgusting Subway counter thrown in. Prince Charles or any other Royalty have not been sighted recently, only hordes of teenagers. Going slow is good for the soul. So many things go unnoticed when one rushes along. I imagine a bivouac halfway up the Black Mountains would be fun, you could always pretend to base camp at Mt Kilimanjaro or Mt Fuji. Have a lovely week CJ. x

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  14. What a lovely manor house and great topiary! My mum was born and grew up very near the Black Mountains and we still have family in the village right next to the SAS base. Maybe you could get some tips from them for your training!

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  15. What a beautiful venue for a wedding, the photos would be fabulous set in those surroundings. I think a slow amble is what Sunday afternoon walks are all about, though I do understand that you should really be in training given your holiday destination, perhaps you need something to be aiming for, something waiting for you at the end of the walk which might make you all speed up a bit. I love looking at stained glass windows, the detail is amazing.

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  16. A walk with something for everyone - perfect! I've always left my children to it when it comes to cows. My son has been fearless since he helped a farmer bring the bull in and my daughter, who used to stop and chat, was frequently chased. Fortunately she was a top runner and never fell over. A good tip when young bullocks start to gang up is to zig zag out of their way as they can't sem to cope with changes in direction. Owlpen looks gorgeous. We stayed in one of the Banqueting houses at Chipping Campden over new year and I've promised myself a summer return trip soon. Have fun in north Wales. I recommend trying to get hold of and reading the classic "I Bought A Mountain" by Thomas Firbank (we stayed in his farmhouse now owned by the NT) to get you in the mood for tackling the peaks.

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  17. A most enjoyable post and lovely pictures. I've always been a bit of a dawdler as well. Your last paragraph certainly made me smile. Flighty xx

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  18. At least you all enjoy the scenery as you walk, and the journey is the best part, right? I always wanted to be a sheep herder or live in a lighthouse somewhere. Seemed so romantic and quiet. Sometimes it's nice to have those little things to dream about:) Glad you all had a good walk! Have a wonderful week, CJ!

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  19. CJ, I love your rambles in the amazingly beautiful English countryside, bullocks and all, and I think it is important and wonderful that you let your kids move at their own pace and explore. One of my biggest fears is that my daughter will remember her mother saying, "Come on now, hurry up!" I don't want to be that Mom; I want to be the Mom who is right there with them, examining the 10th small ant to wander by (even though I may be biting my lip) and it sounds like you are that good kind of Mum.

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  20. What a great post! I think your mile was filled with smiles. Sorry for the cornball. Anyways lovely photos. I like the little shop, but I love the stained glass detail! Favorite though is going to be the hang glider's club sign :)

    More good to you and yours this summer. Can I take the train with you all?

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  21. Hey CJ,
    We had a similar walk on Sunday. I persuaded all the boys out for a scenic walk to Gramps, as it was Father's Day. It was Sam who lagged behind. Apparently it doesn't do to stay too close to your family when you are eighteen. And can I just say that a corner shop with chocolate bogof offers are the best ones. It's more useful than artisan cheese at nine o'clock on a Saturday night.
    Have a lovely week,
    Leanne xx

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  22. It sounded like the perfect summer's afternoon.

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  23. Owlpen looks lovely, great photos, CJ. Your one mile an hour walk made me laugh, we had a similar one the other week with some friends and their children. It was incredibly slow! Thinking you should pack a tent and some Kendal mint cake for your next training session. Or a bag of humbugs at the very least. xx

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  24. WOW! Look at those views above! Just an incredible patchwork of beauty I tell you! And those gardens! AHHH...I'm that kind of blogger as well.... sliding in for a better view too CJ! HA! That gate with the daisies in the foreground is amazing! I have no doubt that you and your crew are going to do fantastic with your walking times! How exciting to have an upcoming trip! Wishing you a glorious week ahead! Nicole xoxo

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  25. Gosh, that is really beautiful and such lovely photos. I know that kind of walk, though we're not usually quite as slow!

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  26. Wonderful pictures, C.J.! As for the pace being a bit slower than you would like, I think you need to look at the bright side. You have your boys out walking, and they are all interested and engaged. Well done!

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  27. I can't get over how beautiful the architecture of where you live is. So the cows wanted to hop the fence too? Hahah that is insane!

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  28. It's all so beautiful! I would enjoy that walk as I am always lagging behind taking photos, my family laugh at me. Thanks for sharing your gentle meander through Uley with us, I feel veeery relaxed now. xx

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  29. Lovely, what an interesting place with so much to see xx

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  30. Beautiful walk! You live in such an amazing area.

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  31. Lovely post CJ. We've discovered the delights of a toddler backpack rein (ladybird one to continue the ladybird obsession) rather than the buggy so walks are extremely slow and meandering. It's made me look at things a bit differently! Our corner shop is a sainsburys local - handy but not beautiful!! X

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  32. I've enjoyed this post so much, as with all of yours. I guess having to go at a snails pace does have its upside, we too used to walk for miles whereas now we tend go in ever decreasing circles. I hear geocaching is great fun and good at getting everyone to travel further without noticing. Antonia x

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  33. It looks so calm and peaceful reading this, I feel as if I am ambling along with you too! Owlpen Manor looks fantastic. The farmers around here have been so busy with their hay cutting. We seem to notice things going on so much more living in sight of the countryside.Sarah x

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  34. gorgeous. ~(I'd multiply by 3, most people don't actually walk that as fast as 4 miles an hour.........) you might be able to do it all in daylight now!

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  35. How very beautiful! Wonderful pictures, thank you for sharing. :)

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  36. I'm excited to hear and see more about your vacation to the mountains! The scenery that surrounds you is so different than the scenery that surrounds me. I always enjoy reading about your walks and adventures.

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  37. What lovely views! It may not have been the fastest walk, but you certainly all seem to have packed a lot into it and it's lovely that your boys are so interested in their surroundings. Good luck with your family walking goals - exploring the mountains of North Wales is really something to look forward to :)
    Cathy x

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