Lex and Robyn - Life as it happens

Friday, 30^th May LEIGHTON BUZZARD - TYSOE

Robyn writes: I woke up at around 6.30ish, which I was quite pleased about. After a week, dare we hope we are pretty much over the jet lag?

Today was a travel day, so a nice slow start to it. I did some blog writing and sorted photos, then when Glen and Lex got up, we slowly got organised. Only a week in, and I’m already ‘over’ packing! I popped into Morrison’s to get some travel food and bread rolls for lunch while Lex and Glen packed the car, then we set off around 9.30 to travel the 44 miles to Tysoe, where Carol lives. Again, some was on tiny lanes and other parts on major roads. The usual mix of picturesque country villages and white-knuckle experiences on roundabouts. Anyway, we finally arrived here around 11, and were welcomed by Carol.

Beautiful houses and scenery along the way

Here we are in the Cotswolds!

She has a lovely little bungalow right on the edge of Tysoe, a beautiful little Warwickshire village. We spent some time organising beds and bedding (like Glen did, she has very kindly given us the main bedroom – we are feeling quite spoiled!) Then we had lunch in her lovely conservatory (these are an excellent addition for space and light on a lot of British houses) and I did a big load of washing. After lunch, the others went for a walk while I stayed home to keep an eye on the washing, finish some blogs and have a nice rest. After the weather forecast had said rain, it turned out to be a very nice, warm day with temperatures in the low 20s. Fortunately, all the washing actually dried for us!

Carol's conservatory

Beautiful violas growing in a clump in the paving!

View over the side fence

Glen and Lex walked right up to the Tysoe windmill (early 1700s), a local landmark. It operated until 1915 when it was struck by lightning. They then had a stroll around the village and admired the beautiful thatched houses, some as recently done as 5 months ago. Afterwards, we all had a rest before it was time to get ready for dinner – we walked to a local farm where they hold a low-key burger restaurant on a Friday night, Happy Herefords. They have a catering business, but if they’re not at a function, they run evenings out of their own place. It was very well patronised by the locals! Carol’s cousin Jane and her husband Richard joined us for the evening. We all had burgers and chips made from their farm beef, then I bought a delicious waffle and icecream dish to share, and Jane had brought Scottish strawberries. Afterwards, they came back to Carol’s for coffee and hot chocolate, and we sat talking until sunset – which was at 9.10 precisely! The days are so long already, and this is certainly going to continue.