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Sunday, 19 July 2015

A taste of Gloucestershire

Good Morning. Let's go back to the beginning. On Sunday I set off about ten ish, called in to see my sister one the way down south. She was babysitting her new grand daughter at Bedworth near Coventry. Stayed a couple of hours, this was the first time I had seen little Eadie, she is a cutie. 
Arrived at the campsite at Slimbridge at 5.15pm and found a quiet pitch on the edge of the second field. Not many campers in tents but quite a few motorhomes and caravans, the weekenders had gone home. Inspected the washing facilities and found a very clean toilet and shower block, looks quite new. After putting the tent up we went a walk. Rocky enjoyed walking along the canal tow path, and I followed with the buggy just in case he needed a ride. He can walk further if there are lots of interesting doggy smells. Back onto the road, it was too early to turn in for the night so we went to have a look at the Slimbridge Wetland Centre, to check out opening times and prices. Sadly visiting is not an option for us, it's £8.91 entrance for oap's, too much, and dogs are not allowed. Never mind we will find something else to do. 
Monday morning and I have to start the day with a mug of coffee, kitchen is in the back of the car. It's mizzley weather, see vid in previous post. 
My makeshift awning, a piece of tarp tied over the open tailgate and onto the barbed wire fence.

Rocky gets his breakfast in bed, ha ha, lazy beggar.

I saw a sign for Dursley on the way in, so I thought that would make a good starting point. There is a large Sainsbury's store which has a three hour limit on it. I checked with a man that is was ok to park there. He says they very rarely check how long people are there for, it's pretty laid back. Here we are next to the Market House which is standing on pillars, with the Parish Church of St James the Great in the background. 
They are raising money to install a lift so that people can easily access the upper floor. At the moment the only way up is a narrow stone staircase.


I found a beautiful tapestry in the church, it's a really big one, I have photographed the detail of the impressive centre section.


After a couple of hours bimbling round Dursley, looking at charity shops in the main shopping street, buying Rocky a new teddy, and spending time chatting to people, it was time to move on.
I quite like the name Wotton under Edge, so lets go there. Finding a parking place was not easy. It's a confusing place with narrow streets, lots of traffic squeezing their way past parked cars, and narrow footpaths with uneven surfaces. A nightmare to push a buggy around. I drove around looking for a car park and eventually found one, but the bays were that narrow it was difficult to get in and out of the car. I now know why mums with toddlers need the extra width of a designated mother and baby space.

One thing I did notice when I arrived in the town was the abundance of hanging baskets. They are everywhere.

Beautiful floral displays enhance the traditional olde worlde buildings.

Steps down a narrow alley way to a private cottage. 
There is a little oasis of quiet behind the chaotic noisy High Street. Tucked away through a stone archway, a sign says you are welcome to come in and sit for a while. It opens into a courtyard. In the middle of the Almshouses is a beautiful tiny 17th century chapel.


The Electric Picture House is one of the oldest in the country. It started life as The Star Inn, and was bought in 1911 and turned into a picture house. In 1960, due to the popularity of television, it closed. In 1963 it reopened, then it closed and was turned into a Bingo Hall. In 1993 it was closed and reopened as a cinema. It once again closed in 2002. A dedicated group of enthusiasts set about fundraising and restoring it. In April 2015 the management of the cinema was passed to a new company, The Electric Picture House Cinema Ltd.. If you want to read more about this fascinating building, look here. 
I didn't spend long in Wotton, too cramped for my liking, and busy with people and cars. A car had parked that close to mine I had to get in on the passenger side and climb over to drive it out onto the road so I could load Rocky and pushchair in.

It was a bit too early to go back to base, so I headed back towards the A38 and took a ride to Frampton on Severn, then carried on to Arlington and the waters edge. The Severn is a tidal river, like the Humber, though I have never seen a tidal bore. There is a full 2015 timetable here.
I've found this three minute vid on yooootoooob, the bore looks amazing.



After a busy day it was back to the campsite and noodles with left over sprouts and carrots for dinner. The pooch crashed out on a full tummy of doggy nosh. Aaah, bless.

More to follow. Toodle pip.

26 comments:

  1. Another lovely day out. The tapestry is exquisite! I wonder if the town businesses have to pay for the flowers outside their store/pub /office...they are beautiful.
    Jane x

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    1. Not sure, Jane. I expect some kind of donation is asked for. They were on almost every building.

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  2. Hi Ilona, good to have you back. Have enjoyed reading about your trip so far and look forward to the rest. As I was having my Sunday catch up around the blogiverse, I noticed the use of the word "bimble" on another frugal bloggers post. It's nice that you're an inspiration to everybody in so many ways isn't it?! It made me think of you as its a word I think of as one that you boss completely! It's good it's appearing other places, shows people are reading and following you! Xxxx

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  3. Brilliant, feel like i've been there now. :-) That tidal wave looks like great fun... if you're any good at surfing that is!

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  4. What a great capture of pictures and stories of your adventure. The doggie looks very tired.

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  5. My continuing fave is Rocky with his teddybear!

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  6. Lovely places Ilona, and how typical of you to have bought a teddy for Rocky but nothing for yourself. You are so kind. JanF

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    1. I did have a treat, a Magnum ice cream. Rocky likes that as well.

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  7. Rocky's life is rich and full!

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  8. Bother! I can't believe you were in Bedworth! I live about two minutes away from Bedworth and would love to have met you! You and Rocky make a great double act, you look as if you've had a great time!

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    1. Sorry Jayne, I only arranged it a couple of days before. The plan was to drop in on Nephew and family, only he wasn't there, sister was babysitting so I still got to see the baby. I also called in on the way back on Friday afternoon, when I did see the whole family. Sorry again for missing you a second time. I also called in to see Uncle on the way through Burton on Trent. If I pass through the Midlands at any time it makes sense to call in and see people, if only for an hour or two.

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    2. Must be lovely to have a fantastic auntie like you!

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  9. Did Rocky like his new Teddy?

    It's just over a tenner to visit Arundel Wetlands Centre these days (single adult ticket) so sadly I never go. Even dropping in for a coffee in the visitor centre is timed, you are only allowed to stay for 45mins! Fortunately there is a lovely large (free to visit) lake across the road from the Wetlands Centre and most of the wild birds that are to be seen at the centre also nip over to the lake for a visit and there is a lovely little tearoom there that serves nice coffee and doesn't turf you out after 45mins!

    The Severn Bore is on my bucket list BTW!!

    Linda xxx

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  10. Glad you got home safely. It was really lovely to meet you. See you again in the hinterlands between Devon and Lincolnshire xxx

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    1. Yes, good to meet you. Let me know if you come up north.

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  11. With his teddy again. God bless indeed. Natalie

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  12. Those are wonderful cheerful hanging baskets of flowers, and the tapestry in the church, and the story of the Electric Picture building. You created a nice rain shelter on the back of your car.

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  13. Oh goodness, I love that little Rocky...
    Briony
    x

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  14. Thank you for a lovely glimpse of England Ilona. I think you deserve a tent you can stand up in, a small camping table and chair. It will make all the difference when the weather turns.

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  15. I want Rocky's life...Well...except for the dog food. Hand over the veggies and I'm your pup. hahaha!
    LOVE the pix. Such a pretty place and gorgeous flowers.

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  16. The hanging flower baskets are just beautiful. I hope that the Electric Picture Show Cinema is able to continue to make a go of it.

    Sweet Rocky looks so content.

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  17. Maybe one day you could let Rocky do a little blog post of his own?

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  18. Hello,Ilona.Gorgeous old town and blooms,it looks so ancient compared to our "old heritage here".Your lovely photos and commentary were such a pleasure to read.You and the boy look to be having a great time.How nice to see your family out along the way too.A new baby is always a blessing and a joy,does that make you a Great Aunt?Gorgeous tapestry by the way.Warmest regards,D.

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