Stourhead

With only a few weeks before we leave for our annual trip to my beloved England,

 it's high time to make a start with the two Blog posts

 - I promised myself to write - of our trip last year.

One of them is about our wonderful visit to the beautiful estate Stourhead, 

 of which you can read more about its origins here.

 This was our first view when we entered this 'living work of art'.

Inspired by the work of 16th-century architect Palladio,

 this five-arched stone bridge was built in 1762.

 Although ornamental, the bridge was intended to look practical. 

It was designed to create an illusion that a river flows through the village and under the bridge.

Being there at Summer time there was so much variety of flowers.

Although we were there in high season, it seemed like it was just us and the birds.

The beautiful Temple of Apollo , nowadays often used as wedding venue.

The beautiful Pantheon across the lake designed by Henri Flitcroft
modelled by the original in Rome.

And its indoors.

The cascade was added in 1766 as a decorative way to carry surplus water
 from the main lake down to the lower pond in Turner’s Paddock.

In the distance the Temple of Flora, dedicated to the Roman goddess of flowers and spring.
 This temple was the first garden building erected by Henry Hoare II between 1744 and 1746.
 Over the doorway the Latin inscription reads ‘Keep away, anyone profane, keep away’.
 Henry asks you to enter his garden in the right spirit.

The Gothic Cottage, affectionately called the Watch Cottage, was Alda's
favourite place to write.

We had a lovely picnic at this spot, accompanied by all kind of wildlife.

Next stop was a visit to the impressive Family Home

The library with a gorgeous view through the window seat.

All around the house there were such friendly volunteers who happily told us the

 (family) story of the former residents, especially about the family room.

There was a lot of entertaining (as a lovely lady volunteer told us) in this room.

 Especially for the injured soldiers who returned from the war.

 The former residents had a soft spot regarding them because of their only son

 who died during the First World War.

Apart from all other art a lovely painting of Stonehenge

We concluded our day here with a visit to the walled garden of the house.

To have a greenhouse like this.

Serious shed envy.

My first ever photographed swallow.

It was such a lovely step back in time. Although it's quite some time ago,

 it brought back wonderful memories and can't wait to make some more.

Next post will be about Monk's House, much smaller but just as beautiful.

Hope you will join me again!

Anita

~xo~

A room with a view ....

As this was our view from our apartment during our last holiday in France, just a few steps away from the Mediterranean ....

and this from our front door ....

It really was a constantly changing painting and quite a challenge to photograph because I'm more a countryside/wildlife kind of 'girl' when it comes to photography ....

Wildlife was mostly represented by seagulls ....

But most of all I liked the ever changing colours of the sea and sky ....

There were not that many flowers on the boulevard but these made surely up for it  ....

Our apartment was situated in the little coastal town Palavas-Les-Flots what at first glance appears to be a typical tourist place with lots of crowds around the harbour ....

But after having left the boulevard behind us we found ourselves in a very charming village with a lovely garden hidden near the local church Saint-Pierre .....

Surrounded by this gorgeous wall ....

The garden has a beautiful ornamental pond ....

With enormous fish ....

And gorgeous flowers everywhere ....

Further along we saw so much lovely houses and shops you wouldn't expect at first sight ....

How much I loved our view and the beach, the well-known outback kept calling.
Many years ago - during our camping holidays - we had stayed several years in this area and its outstanding beauty and picturesque villages.
One I really wanted to visit again was the medieval town Saint Guilhem Le Desert ....

A little village consisting only a few streets but with many adorable shops ....

and beautiful facades ....

Loved this entrance with the planters ....

It's beautiful abbey ....

Which has its (free) entrance at the main square ....

Laundry the french way ....

Shutter love ....

And so many shades of blue ....

Spot the family members ....

And at the end of the village a lovely garden with all sorts of wildlife ....

Being only a 10 minute drive away from Montpellier a visit to this beautiful town was naturally on our list.
And how different from when they were still teenagers, our two boys also enjoyed the visit but couldn't resist teasing me how I've made them walk almost half a marathon ....

Not only we've shopped a little but also did some cultural sightseeing and walked towards the Promenade du Peyrou with Porte du Peyrou as impressive entrance ....

The water tower at Peyrou place Royal ....       

We ended up in a lovely part of Montpellier , famous for its 'off beat' shops and had coffee with
 cake on the church square ....

Around the church there are several streets with lovely shops but also funny unusual features, for instance this work of a local street artist ....

But also lovely brocante shops ....

At the end of the day we discovered this beautiful mural painted by Agnes and Olivier Costa , two artists also known as the Mad'Art concept ....

To keep every member of the family happy we combined a visit to the market with a drive to a lake nearby afterwards.
So first we went to the lovely town Clermont L'Herault where every Wednesday there's a local market with all the ingredients you would expect of a typical french market ....

After have bought some souvenirs and having a delicious cappuccino on one of the many terraces of this town we drove to the beautiful lake Lac du Salagou ....

It was a lovely relaxing holiday all around with as a bonus the presence of these two. I keep saying after every holiday it's probably the last time they'll join us. So I consider it as a great gift to have had them around me once again this year ....

Leaving this beautiful sunset behind we began our journey home .....

Can't believe while I'm writing this we're already several weeks at home and in the middle of Autumn in terms of weather.

In spite of my good intentions to not only slow down on a holiday but also at home I'm afraid I terribly failed for that matter.

September has been a very full month so far with even more events in store which I love to share with you next time .... till then!

Have a lovely evening,

Anita

~xo~