Cliveden House

My recent stay in the great english countryside wasn’t just valleys and hills. It also included a visit to this magnificent estate, set on banks high up above the Thames.  The grounds are lovely and varied, the house itself is stunning and the views across the valley below are gorgeous.

Strolling down the sloping banks away from the house got us to a stretch of the river that was impossibly beautiful. It was hard to believe this is the same river I see every day in the heart of London.

If you happen to be in Buckinghamshire someday, do visit Cliveden, it comes highly recommended.

Oh I do love to be in the countryside!

I didn’t tow a boat, but I sure did walk along many towpaths. And footpaths. And bridleways. And country lanes. I walked through fields, up and down hills, through woods, over bridges and along the river. This book-inspired holiday definitely wasn’t a relaxing, restful one. But with such beautiful countryside waiting to be explored, and the glorious weather we were lucky to have, staying was not an option. Even if the b&b we stayed at was adorable and the full English breakfast every morning made taking naps very tempting. Here are some of my favourite pictures…

A bookish holiday

So, everyone knows how much I love the english countryside. I just love going for long walks down brambly lanes, through fields of wild flowers, in ancient, shady woods… It is no surprise then that I’m ridiculously excited for my upcoming long weekend in the countryside with my favourite walking companion, The Boy.

But this is not just an ordinary holiday. What’s special about it is that it’s a holiday inspired by a book! The Boy read Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome a while ago and kept saying how nice some of the places by the Thames sound. A few chapters in, and I agreed with him. Not only is the countryside really pretty, but there are numerous little towns and villages with quaint country pubs and parish churches, and there are boat rides on the river  and… basically my idea of heaven.

Before I had even finished the book, we had booked a holiday in one of the little towns mentioned in the book. I would be excited anyway; a few days playing in the country away from the phd are always welcome, but I just love that the idea came from a book. So I was wondering if this is a rare thing. Have you ever been inspired to visit a place because it was mentioned in a book? Do you think that a holiday following the steps of a literary character sounds like fun or is that just me?

A bookworm’s life… when the leaves are falling

I’ve come to the conclusion that autumn is my favourite season. It always feels to me that this is a time of new beginnings. This year I’ll be…

Making a point of jumping on crunchy piles of leaves. Baking apple pies. Frolicking in the English countryside, again. Wearing tweed jackets, argyle socks, chunky knit scarves, crested blazers, wellies and all things british. Finally buying a teapot. Reading lots of classics and enjoying girly movies on cozy nights in. Participating in the Readathon, again. Growing herbs in pots on my windowsill. Heading to the park with a cup of tea and a good book. Taking up dancing, again.

What are your plans for the next couple of months? Are you excited for cooler weather? What’s your favourite autumnal activity?

Properly autumnal shopping list

I don’t know if you are still enjoying sunny, hot days, but in London summer is definitely over. Yes, I’m pretending we actually had a summer in the UK. The leaves are starting to fall and the air is crisp. Autumn is here. This brings up the need to shop for certain necessities: 

• Wellies. Upcoming trip to the countryside makes purchase of wellington boots a necessity. I don’t particularly care much for the deep puddles in London when it rains either. The problem is, The Boy, being a proper country lad, says that wellies shouldn’t cost more than £5, which makes buying the £70 Hunter wellies in dark blue that I wanted rather problematic. Any thoughts?
• Argyle socks. I’m currently loving the idea of pairing my wellies with a pair of argyle knee socks. Good to keep those toes toasty as well.
• Folders, notebook, pencils, pens. I have just returned from geek-camp, where I spent two weeks mainly feeling stupid compared to the other phd students but also studying obscure and relatively incomprehensible physics theories, so I have a lot of notes to organise. But really, I always feel like buying school supplies in September. And who doesn’t love the smell of pencils?
• Books. I’m very much looking forward to my next visit to the brilliant Bristol bookstore where all the books cost £2. I don’t really have specific books in mind, the stock is constantly changing and there are always some amazing finds. I’m thinking maybe this little shop has something to do with the mysterious increase in the number of books I own this year. But, anyway, the important thing is that rainy, chilly autumnal days call for staying in with a cup of tea and a book, don’t you agree?

Does autumn put you in the mood for specific activities, foods etc? Did you make any great autumnal purchases?