ALL WORK AND NO PLAY....

2020 a year like no other. 

Over the last 3 years I have documented my summer breaks, this has been so much fun, though one slight setback with holiday blogging a forethought is it often takes away from the vibe as one is constantly scouting for the next photo op rather than seizing the moment and taking it all in. 

So this year when the pandemic happened my initial thoughts were 🔥‘boom’ there goes the holiday😢 But after months of working flat out during lockdown on ‘the plantation’ April through to August with no break I just knew I deserved a get-away. Not ‘the abroad’ though due to the government’s indecision re: air bridges and European countries, coupled with accompanying risk of flying back and having to quarantine. So staycation here we come 🚘 

And the leafy green Cotswolds were my choice destination 🍃 🍃 

On The Way To👉🏾Chedworth Roman Villa

Planning this holiday was new territory and for once I had to act responsibly and pull out the proverbial finger 😐. In the past I never really got involved in choice of destination (except to moan about something I didn’t like) it had always been a case of where are we going? how much does it cost? does it suit my shoestring budget? Then on travel day I’d pack my suitcase and tag along 😏

I had no plans to take any pics or blog (so please excuse the limited number of pics, kindly let my descriptive writing draw the pictures) as usual the only all important life changing filter criteria for this holiday was that anywhere I stay should be breakfast inclusive😜  

I did crave something traditional and bespoke though, so when a colleague spoke of a picturesque boutique hotel nestled in Gloucestershire Cotswolds she had visited, I just knew it would be perfect for a rural break🏨 

Baths @ Roman Villa

So on D-day we set out early even though check-in was not till late afternoon,  the reason for this is to ensure no day is wasted, we factored in a stopover at Motorway services for breakfast and pre-booked a visit to a National Trust tourist attraction on the way.  

Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire is the oldest property cared for by The National Trust. As we roam through the preserved remains I’m intrigued by ‘The Baths’, they apparently played an important role in business and socialising in Roman daily life and this is where concept of sauna baths as we know them stems from.  This was no poolside kind of hangout but exclusively for the elites at the time and powered by the servants. The remains show the hard work they undertook to provide a service to ensure temperature of air and water were maintained. We roam the villa, chill out and take a few pics. 

Roman Villa

We had pre booked dinner for that evening and for duration of our stay, this was during the governments support for businesses ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme. My thoughts about this discounted meal initiative at the time were that it should be used for ‘fine dining’ rather than wasted on food that was already cheap and cheerful.  And I must say hotel’s special menu was ‘wot it’ in fact one evening I asked for a slice of bread but rather was served a freshly baked small loaf of bread! 

The usual trend would have been to eat out every evening but as the hotel was in a rural area with nearest place to eat about a 30 minute drive it just made sense to just eat in. 

We almost miss the turning as the hotel is tucked away off a country lane and as the car pulls to a standstill on the pebbled driveway, I notice a row of strange looking cars (how was I to know they were 3 wheeler classic cars known as The Morgan). 

Risi’s Top Gear 

The drivers were holding a convention and over the next few days we get talking to the proud owners of these antiques and are introduced to a whole new world of classic cars. I’m fascinated by the car having no cover and naively ask what happens when driving and it rains and got a sarcastic reply from an owner called Mike ‘you get wet’ 🙄. The Morgan Motor Company started production again of this 3 wheeler after a half a century hiatus and  they can now be bought for between £35,00 to £80,000 depending on the spec. 

One evening I ask whether I could have ride, after handing me a pair of protective goggles, I climb into ‘the cockpit’ and Mike gives me a spin down the country lanes😳, I screamed through out, they are the noisiest thing ever and evoke the feeling of riding on a motorbike. I lost my hat and my hair was a mess but I’d do it again and again as it was an unforgettable experience. 

Customer care and attention to detail at the hotel were ace, by the 2nd morning when I ordered my breakfast the waitress had already noted that I liked my sunny side up egg well done and that my preferred drink of choice was hot chocolate without me having to tell her. 

Confession time.....pepper means the world to me as I like my food to have that little ‘kick’. For this reason I took my ata gbigbe (chilli powder) along with me in a small bag and sprinkled over my food whenever I thought no one was looking 👀 I know you’re thinking ‘Yoruba people and pepper’ right?😏. 

Sadly one morning I forgot my bag of pepper at the dining table and by time I dashed back to get it, it’s gone. Hotel staff all claimed not to have seen it though personally I’m convinced they sent my little stash off for forensic testing! 

See Focus & Concentration😜

Risi Pepper Dem (pun intended)

We visit the historic town of Cheltenham, home to the world famous  Racecourse and known for its regency architecture and spa history. Story has it that in the 18th century the locals noticed that birds were pecking the salt at a river so they too started drinking the water with the belief that it had healing powers. Not before long one smart Alec uncle saw a business opportunity, dug a well and started selling the water 😮, that’s how to people started visiting the town from far and wide (this is my lazy edited version of the story, I can’t be bov’d to check names, dates etc etc, I beg na holiday I come, not history lesson). 

Frogmill Garden, sorry not been detained! 

After a debate over whether we should take the car or not the next day to Cheltenham, for avoidance of anxiety and for a stress-free visit we decide to drive to Cheltenham’s ‘Park n Ride’ bus service. We sport our masks (how I’ve come to hate those things) and hop on the bus for a 20 minute ride to the Regency town and alight from the bus at the tree lined avenue known as The Promanade. 

Neptune Fountain @ The Promenade 

This has a reputation of being one of the best preserved and most beautiful thoroughfares and showcases a row of smart cafes,posh shops and bars blending in with a historic facade. I am immediately drawn to a beautiful fountain on the other side Of road so quickly crossover to take a short video clip of it. This is the Neptune fountain which is modelled on the Trevi fountain in Rome and was added to Promenade in 1893, yep I’ve done my home work, surprising isn’t it?🤓

Chilling @ The Cotswolds

You know what? As usual I’ve gotten so carried away and this blog is longer than I had planned.....to be continued. Good things come to those who wait😏

Thanks for your custom😘💕💕

A diamond is merely a lump of charcoal that did well under pressure ~ Unknown.

💅🏾