The Bluebell Woods

I spend a lot of time chasing the sunshine all over the place and sometimes forget it when it is right on my door step. Here are some lovely photos of the woods not far from my UK home in Gloucestershire.

Matt's Turn!

This week it is Matt's turn to accompany me to our place in the sun. We had a very good and cheap flight from Bristol with Easyjet, rolling in to Datca at 3 am last Monday. The drive over the mountains in the dark was fine - hardly any traffic but lots of donkeys and hedgehogs. On arrival Princess Beyaz of Ozbel decided to visit us in bed at 4 am - great. She jumped in through the first floor window again. Matt was not impressed. So far we have had a wonderful time meeting old friends and generally re exploring the area. There is always something new to see or visit. Our neighbours who arrive from Izmir and Istanbul to spend the summer here are all gradually arriving and the town is waking up. I love this time of the year - warm but not too hot and not too busy.

Hayit Buku

A quick swim at Ogun's Place

Afternoon tea with friends at Ogun's

One of our favourite watering holes

It was a bit cloudy at Knidos but better for exploring - not so hot.



Knidos Wildlife



At Palamut Buku our waiter was very proud of his T shirt!



Hunter's Borek

The Birthday Bash

Nothing to do with sunshine although it was sunny during the day!. Loads of smashing friends came to my party - about 50 of them and some from every decade of my life. Some I worked with, some I live near, one I went to school with, some of my in laws, some of my European friends, some I met via the internet and of course my husband and sons.
We congregated in the local community centre and Tim, my brother in law kindly provided the entertainment. It was such an enjoyable evening with lots of fun.

These friends have known me since I was 5 years old!

People from my most favourite school ever now sadly closed.

Dancing Queen - my lovely friend Ute - one of our teaching exchange partners.

Some in laws

Friends from my third decade - army days in Germany.

Jack with neighbours for over 20 years.

Hil took her job of making the party go with a swing very seriously - by dancing with lots of men!

She enjoyed her job very much!

Twist and Shout

Tom's school friend's Mums.

An internet friend and a work friend from before our children were born, then more recently at Stroud College where we were tutors.

I Got You Babe. Tom with his school friend's Mum.

My Italian teacher exchange friend

They were singing a Queen song. Guess which one?

Matt's uni friend.

Jack with parents of a school friend.

Tom's school friend with his Mum and dad.

Neighbours and friend.

The jolly Europeans

Dancing girls!

Matt and the windsurfing friends.

Sunshine in the Cotswolds

Well it was mostly sunny with a shower. It was my birthday party weekend and my lovely European friends came. The Italians arrived first on Thursday and we asked them what they wanted to do. 'We want to do English things' they said so early on Friday morning we took them to Cheltenham for a spot of shopping and coffee. Actually I needed something to wear to my party so we had to go shopping. The chaps were very patient with us jumping in and out of shops.
Then we went to The Mount Inn at Stanton for a pub lunch. http://www.themountinn.co.uk/ The scenery was beautiful with spring flowers blooming, birds twittering, lambs frolicking and barns perched on staddle stones - the full Cotswold experience. Then just to complete it we went to Soudeley Castle for a wander around the gardens and who should we bump into but Mike. Now Mike is the reason we all know each other. Several years ago he was my head teacher and he began a Comenius project where five European schools got together and worked on a project for three years. During that time we made visits to each others schools and of course that was right up my street and I loved it. We have all remained friends and meet up as often as possible. I see the Italians and Germans most as travel for them and us is fairly easy. Sadly the Lithuanians and Finns find it more expensive and quite tricky. Over the years our husbands have also become very friendly so now we try to meet up a few times a year for holidays and visits to each other's homes.
So here are the photos of the full Cotswold experience!

The Mount Inn Stanton

They wanted an English day out - so it had to be fish and chips for lunch.

Doriana had to photograph everything!

The gardens at Soudeley Castle were spectacular.

We bumped into Mike!

 

Henry V111's last wife is buried here