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I am back in sunny (very hot, in fact) South Africa, after a brilliant holiday in the Cotswolds.
It was wonderful to spend more than three weeks with my children in Banbury and to meet Richard and his lovely wife Susan at Windrush House B&B in Broadway - oh, and Jake.
Jake is an Airedale puppy - or he was in December - and a handful at that. I have the "puppy teeth scars" to prove it!
It was a privilege to get to know Richard and Susan and to enjoy the absolute comfort of their wonderful guesthouse.
During my visit, I explored the Cotswolds as never before and of course, Broadway was one of my favourite villages. Other picture-pretty villages were Stow-on-the-Wold, Stratford-upon-Avon, Wroxton, Evesham, Farnborough and Bourton-on-the-Water, among others. Oxford is always a wonderful experience, particularly as I am a student of architecture; something that is abundant in this university city. |
Cathy and son-in-law, Pieter, at the Holy
Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon |
I had forgotten just how friendly the English are, particularly in the country. The hospitality is one of the main reasons why I am drawn to the Cotswolds and to be sure, this will not be my last visit.
Is there a more tranquil and beautiful region than the Cotswolds I wonder? Here in South Africa we don’t have village inns and country pubs, so it was really a joy to come in from the cold and to snuggle up with a warm drink and a muffin or something stronger.
I really enjoyed doing a link-up with South African radio from Stratford. It was fun telling my colleagues and friends about the beauty and charm of the place and to listen to their jealous utterances as I did so! Seriously, though, it was great fun. |
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I took an extra 10 days to visit dear friends in Germany and to add to the adventure, I did a live interview with one of my all-time favourite performers, Helmut Lotti.
The charming Belgian could not talk enough about recording Danny Boy in duet with Cliff Richard. Cliff invited him to his home and was, I am assured, a wonderful host. Helmut and Cliff duet Mary’s Boy Child is on Cliff’s latest (Christmas) CD.
I also got to meet an old friend again maestro conductor of the Golden Symphonic Orchestra, André Walschaerts. André also owns and is director of the Music College in Belgium. |
Cathy with her daughter at Broughton Castle near Banbury |
Michelle, Pieter and Cathy at The Moon and Sixpence in Hanwell |
Exploring the Old Harry rocks near Swanage, on the way to Bournemouth |
Wait there’s more!
I also did a radio interview with French chansonnier, Freddy Birset. What an amazing deep baritone voice he has and listening to him churn out the songs of such legends as Gilbert Becaud, Piaff and others, was gooseflesh stuff.
Sadly, January 5 saw me winging my way back to South Africa with only my
memories to remind me of what a wonderful time I had.
‘Till we meet again, Cotswolds… . |
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