I have it in mind to reinvigorate my artistic ways and thought to start with a landscape, perhaps featuring our local pub - The Colesbourne Inn. The first three shots are of the Inn just to give you an idea. The Inn dates back to 1827 and was originally a coaching inn - the section to the left of the main part being stables but are now rooms.
I inevitably headed towards Pen Hill on my stroll and the remainder of shots are taken from various points on or near the hill. I would have gone to the top but from the first shot you can see that there was a small herd of cows munching on the rank grass poking through the snow. You have to be careful with cows! I recall watching a programme about helicopter rescues sometime before Christmas which featured an item about a man who was attacked by a herd of cows. He was quite badly beaten about and kicked. The helicopter rescue team was alerted and on arriving at the scene were forced to hover the helicopter between the man and the cows as they were coming back for some more!! There was one particularly stroppy cow which strode up to the helicopter for a face off - I think it must have been their time of the month. Anyway, needless to say, I considered discretion to be the better part of valour and turned around. 
By now my fingers were frozen so it was time to head home for a stiff whisky by the fire.
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15 comments:
Hi Adrain
Fabulous scenery and really super photographs.
On the subject of cows. In that programme which I viewed, you remember that the man had a dog with him I think. They were also Steers. (no milking equipment) {:)
I am going to get into trouble with your Sis here. I just know it.
Cows are 99.999% OK. You get the odd one or two that are a bit punchy. With them the best form of defence is attack. If you run towards them shouting at the top of your voice they will run away.
Its "fight or flight" with them and they arn't that brave. If you have not been use to cows then as you say your probably best walking away.
I am looking forward to a photo of the finished art work of one of those scenes.
Roy
All wonderful photos Adgi! And when you said, whilst heading to the pub you would take a couple shots I was thinking, oh that sounds refreshing...and then I realized you meant photos!!! Ha Ha! Then I was smiling when you said you were warming up with whiskey there at the end, I wondered was it "Irish" dare I say...or "Tennessee" whisky...what's the local whiskey?? I'll have to do some research!
And for heaven sake Adgi....don't tell scary cow stories.....we'll never get Jenny Wren to get me a picture of a ROOK!!!
Hi Roy
Great, you remember the piece better than I did. I'm not too bad with cows but I did not fancy a showdown in the freezing weather! I would not hold your breath on the arty picture - I tend to take a while with them!! Watch this space though.
Hi Eve
No more scary cow stories. The whisky is a Scotch one - Lagavulin, Ardbeg or Highland Park at the moment. All ones that warm the cockles! I do also like Bushmills, which is Irish. I am also trying to get you some rook shots...
Best wishes, Adgi
Hi Adgi
Fab posting. I must get up to you and Mum soon. I'm missing out on some great photo opportunities I can tell! Take no notice of that naughty Roy person, them there cows/steers are evil brutes! (-: Just kidding Roy....
Evie, dont worry, I'll get a Rook one way or another....Rooks and cows aren't actually mutually exclusive! (-:
I really enjoyed these. Look at that -- bare ground! A marvel. Seriously, your vantage shots are lovely. They have a very serene feel to them. Oh, meant to tell you that the aero press coffee maker is awesome!
Hey Quiet!
Gald to hear that you get good coffee!!!
Best wishes, Adrian
Hi Adrian, thanks for dropping by. I have since added two larger photos of the Nile Monitor. I realized later the so-called film strip was just too darned small. Sorry about that.
I am happy to see that you are posting. I have enjoyed catching up on your blog. Beautiful photographs as always. Now I am going to go back and read it, as I always look at the photos first.
Happy New Year by the way. And how I miss going down to the pub.
Hello Denise
I think if I ever left England the main thing I would miss would be a traditional English Country pub....the nice buzz of conversation, the blazing log fire and a good beer (or whisky) to wet the whistle!!
Best wishes, Adrian
Hey Adrian,
A "little bird" told me that you could go out and take lots of nice photos of Snowdrops and put them on a Post. ?????
I used to live in Colesbourne 1958/9. I lived with my grandmother in the end cottage (right hand side) of a rank over the stream and up the lane behind the pub. My uncle farmed Southberry and Cockleford Mill (where my grandmother originally lived). So many holidays were spent in the area as well. I also attended the tiny village school where I learned more country crafts and skills than reading and writing!! Spent hours playing around the stream and bridge!! In those days Colesbourne was a proper rural farming community where all the houses and cottages were mainly original and unspoilt. I stayed in Cockleford Mill with no electricity and only oil lamps and candles!! There were very few posh people at that time. I am slightly obsessed with my childhood memories of this area and I can understand the pleasure you are taking in sharing your blog and photos with the world. You have to spend every season in the Cotswolds to truly appreciate its wonder.
Good luck with the blog and I look forward to reading more and seeing more lovely photos.
What a brilliant blog!
As a child I lived in Colesbourne 1958/9ish and spent many holidays in the area. I lived with my grandmother in the end cottage (right hand side) at the top of the long winding lane that runs alongside the Colesbourne Inn. You have to cross a small bridge across the river to get there. My uncle used to farm at Southberry farm Colesbourne(think thats the right name) and Cockleford Mill, my grandmother's original home). I went to the small village school in Colesbourne and can remember learning more about country crafts and skills than reading and writing!! Colesbourne was a proper rural hard working farming community and most of the housing was original and unspoilt and there were very few posh people. Back then the Colesbourne Inn was very unspoilt, basic and down to earth and you could not put a pin between the farmers (so my parents told me)!! In fact I can remember staying in Cockleford Mill when there was no electricity, only oil lamps and candles and everyone had a strong Gloucestershire accent!! Also, there was a thriving post office/shop. I wish you could have experienced the life and housing as it was and met all those wonderful country characters, a truly memorable experience.
A person needs to spend every season in the Cotswolds to truly appreciate its wonder and special atmosphere. This is why it is refreshing to come across your blog and lovely photographs that is capturing all that I remember. about the area. You obviously appreciate and understand the lure of the place.
If you are out and about there is a field behind those Colesbourne cottages and there used to be a crab-apple tree in the corner of the field. I wonder if it's still there? Also right in the middle of the woods behind there used to be an old gypsy caravan that our old gamekeeper neighbour used to sit in!! I would be very surprised if that was still there but worth a look!!
I have written a selection of poems about the Cotswolds and I have included Cockleford and Colesbourne but it is only anyone who has actually lived the Cotswold country life that would understand them!!
Good luck with the blog and I look forward to seeing more Colesbourne facts and photos.
If you look up Francis Frith on the web you will find some nice old photos of Colesbourne.
apologies for 2 blogs. I thought the first one had got deleted!!
Dear Anne
How wonderful to come across someone who used to live in Colesbourne. The cottage where you lived was one of three called Park Cottages I think. The three have been turned into one house owned by Freddie Elwes (son of Henry, Lord of the manor)and his wife, Amelia. Cockleford Mill is still there - you have to walk right through the grounds when walking from the old road to the "new" one (build in 1824!. The Colesbourne Inn is still up and running but not quite the locals pub it used to be, although many locals still use it thank goodness. The village shop and post office are still going although they are now all part of the petrol statin rather than in the little house and annex next to the pub, which is now potential offices.
I love living here and hope to stay in the area ubntil my time comes if possible but we shall see! I will be posting more lvely shots in due course so watch this space.
Best wishes, Adrian
Dear Roy
Yes, there are some lovely snwdrop shots to be had here. Colesbourne Park puts on a show every year during February - it is a nationally important collection. The whol of the upper Churn Valley is sometimes referred to as "Snowdrop Valley" as there are so many wild ones on show. Watch this space!
Best wishes, Adrian
As always an excellent posting.The
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Bathmate
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