Life on the Farm: Sunset

As the days have been so long in the last few months, I've gotten in the habit of taking Ginger out for a walk after dinner. Just the two of us. It's a lovely way to clear my head, digest my dinner, and enjoy the last of the evening light before settling in for the evening.

This field is called Middle Fairgreen, and it's just next to our cottage. This was in May when the dandelions were everywhere, and the grass was still relatively short.

The view from my bedroom window, just after I arrived home from a walk. Sometimes when the sun is just setting I am drawn to the window by the warm, pink light shining into the cottage. Often it seeps through the drawn curtains while I am putting one of the kids to bed, and we feel compelled to peek through them to see the last of the sun. 

A moodier end-of-day in Middle Fairgreen.

Middle Fairgreen, a month later in June, with longer grass and hogweed everywhere.

Often Gingy and I walk up to Lord Moreton's seat, an old stone bench on top of the hill above the gallops, where the race horses get their exercise (and Gingy gets hers too). Here Ginger is making her way home after a good romp up there.

Another walk Ginger and I take is down the bridal path and into the woods. Sometimes it's a welcome change of scenery to have a more narrrow, cozy view through the trees and over the hedges.

Early July, when the fields are drying out and the grass is nearly too long to walk through.

Wildflowers along the gallops. 

You can see I'm kind of obsessed with the hogweed. 

This was the sunset on the evening my cousin died. It was an impossibly sad day, and this was a suitably dramatic end to it.

I ♥ Your Style: Audrey and her Animals

Audrey Hepburn consistently surprises me. Just when I think I've seen every chic photo of her there is to see, more arise. I first found the amazing picture of her on the horse, and as I widened my search I found the ones with her pet fawn Pippin, with her beloved puppy Mr Famous, and many more. Being on the farm, I sometimes feel that I live in a zoo - I'll be doing dishes at the kitchen sink with one of the kittens on the counter next to me, the dog laying at my feet, the chickens staring at me from the outdoor dining table, my daughter riding by on a horse and the donkeys braying from the stables across the driveway. So these pictures of Audrey have special meaning to me as they contain two of the things I love most: style and animals.

Stately Rides: Part 2

So at the end of our first full day of riding, we arrived ready for a rest and a cup of tea at the home of Christopher and Marian Houghton near Broadway. To me, this quintessentially British couple and their home epitomised the best of English country life. Christopher has been the secretary and then chairman of the North Cotswold hunt for 25 years, and his family's affection for the sport is evidenced as soon as you walk in their door with an impressive and worn collection of hunting coats, boots, hats and whips in the front hall. The house itself was cozy. stylish and authentic, much like the Houghton's themselves, and I was amazed by the graciousness with which they welcomed strangers so intimately into their home. We all felt grateful to meet such lovely people and to be so well looked after. Mr. Houghton encouraged a swim in the pool, and as none of us had brought along swimsuits, we snuck in a skinny dip just before dinner - a hilarious and exhilarating highlight of the weekend.

The next morning, Mrs Houghton encouraged her husband to take us for a ride around the village in his grandfather's 1935 Bentley. You would die if you saw this car. I nearly did. It had been immaculately restored without disrupting any of the essential character - the leather seats were well worn, the European rally medallions still fixed to the wooden dashboard and even the leather driving hats still rested on the back seat (of course I wore one!).

Late morning we set off for another full day of riding, the highlight being the hills above Snowshill and the breathtaking view down into a long valley. We passed through farmyards, pastures, villages, meadows and woods getting an intimate view of the best of the English countryside on a warm and sunny day. A three day holiday never felt so good!

Giving a pat to Star, on arrival at the Houghton's, for taking such good care of me for the day.

The entrance hall at the Houghton's. Could it be any more English?

Our room for the night. When I admired the William Morris wallpaper, Mrs Houghton told me she chose it because that guest room overlooks Broadway Tower, where William Morris once lived.

The house was filled with hunting mementos and memorabilia.  

It seems to be a requirement for English countryside folk to have an old Land Rover. This is a particularly good one. 

Mr Houghton, giving Star a slurp before bedtime.

The 1935 Bentley that belonged to Mr Houghton's grandfather.

Mr Houghton told us that he and his wife drove the Bentley to Ireland last year in the spirit of his grandfather who drove and raced it all over Europe. There is not one seatbelt in the car!

All the souvenirs and medallions from the former Mr Houghton's travels. 

Chanelling the 30's in a leather driving cap.

Setting off into the hills for our last day or riding.

One of my favorite things about England is the variety of unexpected people, animals and things you see on the side of the road. These two people had stopped their pony and trap to let a huge truck pass right before we arrived.

Graphic farming.

What a handsome boy!

Just after I snapped this pic we cantered up the long hill. 

Coco is always the first person to make friends with animals. She's especially a sucker for a Shetland pony, the tinier the better.

Passing a pretty gate on our way out of Snowshill, where we got papp'd by Japanese tourists! 

The stables where we left our horses at lunchtime. Love the hand painted sign.

The last furry hills we passed through.

Arriving back where we started at Wormington Grange just in time for tea.

Stately Rides: Part 1

About a year ago, my husband mentioned a company that a childhood friend had started. It's called Stately Rides, and it gathers a small group of people together and gives you on a horse riding tour of some of the most beautiful countryside in Gloucestershire while staying in a beautiful private home each night. I knew immediately that I would have to go on this trip and I knew when and with whom. Each summer our family friend Regena comes to stay with us with the simple goal of riding horses incessantly with my daughter Coco and me. So then and there I floated the idea of Stately Rides, and the three of us were all in.

All year I looked forward to our three days of riding and visiting amazing homes, and the trip itself exceeded my expectations. We arrived on the first afternoon at Wormington Grange, a very grand house indeed. But instead of formal staff and stuffy surroundings we were invited to sit round the kitchen table and have tea served by the owner John Evetts and his partner Annie. They were both gracious and down to earth hosts, making us feel at home right away. John told us about inheriting the house in 1978 from his parents who had let it fall nearly to ruin, and restoring the entire house, grounds, and stable buildings. He did much of the work with his own two hands. "I have spent nearly every penny and spare minute I have ever had on the project," he told us. We had a chatty evening over a home cooked meal made by Annie in the formal dining room, and then went off to bed early to prepare ourselves for the six hours of riding ahead of us the next day.

What I enjoyed most about the riding was the new view. I spend hours each week exercising the horses on our farm and while it's my favorite place on Earth to ride, it was exciting to have some novel scenery. I also loved spending an entire day riding - for me, there is no better way to enjoy nature and the seasons than on a horse. Unfortunately my knees and ass didn't feel the same way - despite having a  lamb's fleece "seat saver" on my saddle, popping Advil every three hours and wearing padded bike shorts under my jodhpurs. A hot bath and a glass of champagne never felt so good.

Arriving a Wormington Grange on Friday afternooon in time for tea.

A rose-lined wall at Wormington Grange.

Entering through the servants entrance. Love it.

Coco (still in her school uniform) making a fast new friend in the library.

There were many wonderful and eccentric portraits in the stairway leading to the bedrooms, but this was my favorite. I love the simplicity.

A detail of the 70's Alice in Wonderland fabric curtains in one of the children's rooms.

Another friend we made in the kitchen.

Before breakfast on Saturday morning, we took a walk to see the immaculately maintained grounds. 

A charming fellow we met at the stables. I kept teasing Coco, the best rider out of all of us, that this was going to be her horse for the weekend. 

Coco and Regena amongst the giant trees.

Setting off from Wormington Grange on Otto, Widgeon and Star.

We rode up into the hills after seeing this incredible field of poppies, and we could still see it from miles and miles away.

A local passerby.

I love this handsome boy, spotted high up in the hills of Gloucestershire.

Miss Coco B catching her breath on Otto. Coco and I switched horses every now and then, so as not to get too sore from sitting in the same saddle all day.

Our group selfie (and my crooked teeth!). 

I never cease to be amazed by the beauty of sheep in the English countryside.


I was charmed by this painting hanging above the fireplace at the pub where we had lunch in Snowshill.

Still smiling at the end of our first 6 hour ride (just).

Our well-deserved treat at tea-time


COME BACK TOMORROW TO SEE PART TWO!