The final day - 24th November

I could not believe that this was the final day of the holiday. Bags were being packed and put near the front door. This can’t be right…  feels like we have only been here 2 days!

We didn’t rush to get ready. We eventually left at around 11am. As we drove off I knew something was wrong. I tried to tell my mum and dad that they had forgotten my snack bag … but they didn’t listen. Dad had put it high up above the fridge as I was always trying to eat all the snacks in the bag just before dinner. As we drove off I just kept quiet.

I wasn’t in the best mood when we arrived in Cheltenham. Fortunately Mum and dad had some spare snacks but it wasn’t the same. We parked in the centre of town which must have cost a fortune. We walked through the restaurant area before onto the Main Street. It was lined with boring shops. I therefore decided to go to sleep.

I awoke in a pub to see that my mum and dad had just finished lunch. I was not amused. We left the pub and I hoped that my parents were going to buy me something delicious. They did! I had fries and nuggets from McDonalds. I did have to wait for my dinner. First of all, we went to a beautiful part of Cheltenham where dad bought himself a book on napoleon from a very posh bookstore. Mum had a look in John Lewis and dad in a final game shop before going to McDonald’s. We then headed back to the car. The time was 3:30pm.

Dad had wanted to leave a little earlier to avoid traffic however it wasn’t to be. Actually, it was lucky that we were late as there was a big accident on the M5 and we would have been there until 10pm. Instead we travelled endlessly through small villages until we got to the M42. Birmingham was as slow as normal. Once round we flew home.

So this ends another holiday. I really enjoyed the Cotswolds. I will miss the lodge and my snack bag… I wonder when we can go back!  

Back into the heart of the Cotswolds - 23rd Nov

The weather looked amazing today. We therefore left around 10am and headed north to Broadway tower up the main road through the Cotswolds. The ride was good but a little long.

It cost £31 to park and go up the tower. Given that the tower already cost £14 per adult, I thought it was a little cheeky to ask for £3 for parking. So too did my dad. After a quick visit to the shop we walked the short distance to the tower. It was very windy and I was glad to get inside the tower. 

I could not go up the tower, the stairs were too small. Mum and dad took it in turns to head up. Apparently the view was stunning. Dad said that he could see Leicestershire. It was very windy but the view went on for miles.

In didn’t take long to go up the tower. We then had a quick lunch outside while trying to keep warm, before getting back in the car.

Next up we drove to Bourton-on-the-water. We arrived around 1pm and I was pushed around the village clockwise. I remember this from when my Japanese family visited. The Venice of the Cotswolds was still as pretty in Autumn. The water was clear as I crossed a few bridges. We looked in a few shops and dad bought food from the coop before we left.

We made a final stop at a Roman Villa. Apparently the largest in the uk. A lovely man gave us a bit of history but, in all honesty, I just wanted to run around. I went to see some lovely mosaics, a few Roman bath’s before I could run around the fields which used to be the inner courtyard of the Roman villa.

All too soon we left as mum and dad wanted to get home before dark. 20 minutes later we were back at the house. One final surprise, mum and dad took me to the park before it was pitch black. Though I hurt my back, I did have a good time but it did get dark all too soon.

Due to going to the park I was pretty tired. For my final night I decided to go to bed early so mum and dad, grandma and grandad could have a fun evening.

Toodle pip!

Walks and wizards - 22nd November 2023

We left the house without grandma and grandad. I thought that this was odd. I thought the reason why grandma and grandad came was so we could travel together. Looks like I was wrong.

We didn’t drive for too long. We went through a town called tetbury. It was very pretty. Finally we arrived at a place called Westonbirt National Arboretum. Not sure what an arboretum is… but it looked like a giant park.

Once through the ticket gate I was allowed out of my pushchair. Even better, I got to choose the way we walked around the park. After a little bit of deliberation I decided to go to the old part of the park first, which banned dogs. The paths were lovely and wide, with huge trees on either side. I decided to run a little and walk a little.

Eventually I got tired. I therefore sat down on the path. Both mum and dad said something but I didn’t really understand. Eventually mum would go ahead with the pushchair, stop, and then show me a raisin. I would run to mum to get said raisin. This was great as I got fed for walking. Just as we were finishing the older part of the park I decided to fall asleep. While asleep mum and dad had a sandwich and started to journey through the part of the park where dogs were allowed.

I woke up after 20 mins. The view was similar to earlier however, the trees seemed much taller. We visited a 2000 year old tree, but it was a little disappointing… very scrawny and small. We then went around the maple tree area which was lovely before taking a boardwalk through the trees and back to the car.

The time was 1:30pm. I had loved the park

By 2pm we had arrived at Lacock abbey. In the car park, I thought that I could see grandmas car. Once we got to reception I saw grandma and grandad. We went around the abbey and saw where Harry Potter was filmed. It was lovely and Christmassey. Grandma and grandad then left back to our house. Mum, dad and I then looked around the village of Lacock. This village is very beautiful and has been used for many films apparently.

Once we left the village we headed back to boring Tesco to buy dinner before meeting grandma and grandad at the house for dinner. In the evening I climbed for a bit before going to bed. Wondering what tomorrow would bring.

Toodle pip!

The King’s capital- 21st November 2023

Once again another lazy start to the day. I was liking this holiday. We eventually left around 9am.

Today we drove quite a while in a different direction to the other days. I was a little confused as to where we were going… there seemed to be a lot more traffic than on other days. Finally I saw a sign saying Oxford. As soon as I saw this sign we turned left into a park and ride car park. I love park and rides. As soon as we parked I ran to the bus. Once on the bus, the journey was very exciting. I shouted for joy three times!

All too soon we got off the bus we looked around a boring shop. Then something magical happened. We got on another bus! We boarded a sightseeing bus which took us around Oxford for about an hour. As we were the only ones on the bus, I got to sit upstairs at the front! Mum and dad listened to the commentary and dad took loads of photos. I was just smiling and jumping.

I don’t know much about Oxford. Only that in November 1642 Oxford became King Charles 1st Capital during the English Civil War. I would have therefore liked to listen to the commentary but, I wasn’t offered.

All too soon we were back at our original stop. Sadly we left the bus. I had enjoyed seeing all the beautiful buildings from the second floor of a bus. Now I was being pushed around Oxford in my pushchair and in the cold. In truth we went into some fascinating shops. Dad visited an old game shop which dad said was brilliant.

I am surprised lunch was so late. Mum and dad must’ve been hungry. We went to a ramen restaurant. Mum and dad’s big bowls of ramen looked interesting however I was glad mum had brought cheerios.

After this dad wanted to go to Christchurch college. We got to the ticket office and, then just waited. Mum and dad were just talking. We then left and went back to the shops. I didn’t understand why we didn’t go in… something to do with it costing £18 per person.

We finished the day looking around the shops. These were okay… but the christmas lights were lovely.

For a final treat, I got to go on the park and ride bus once more. We had to miss the first bus as it was too full. This bus back was a bit boring. It was dark outside and the traffic made the bus travel at walking pace. Once back at the car we had to join lots of other cars trying to leave Oxford. I had loved my time in Oxford however, I didn’t like the traffic.

We eventually got back home 10 hours after leaving. When I walked in I was surprised to see grandma and grandad inside watching tv. This was exciting! I spent the evening playing with my grandparents before going to sleep happy.

Toodle pip

Cotswold village hopping- 20th November 2023

I woke up way before my parents. I therefore decided to sing until someone else woke up. Once out of my room I went downstairs for breakfast. This holiday wasn’t like the last one. In Cornwall, as soon as we were up, we were out. Here both mum and dad didn’t seem to be in a rush. This gave me loads of time to climb over everything. I think my climbing has resulted in some furniture changes and us leaving today earlier than my parents had planned.

We had an hours drive into the heart of the Cotswolds. We stopped at a place called Broadway. Given that the long stay car park didn’t look great, I didn’t think there was much here however, once onto the main street, the road opened and beautiful Cotswold stoned buildings lined each side of the street. We walked down both sides visiting the shops. As we were finishing, I fell asleep.

I awoke in the Kings Arms - a pub - in a place called stow-in-the-wold. Not sure how I got here but it couldn’t have taken that long and it was warm. I awoke just as mum and dad ordered their lunch. I hadn’t missed food! I had my mum’s fries and a bit of her sandwich. Once done we finished looking around Stow, not being overly impressed. Mum said that the shops were not that interesting. I couldn’t find a swing … or a park.

We left stow with still some time apparently. We went to marston-on-the-marsh and did the same thing as in stow and broadway. We walked around a beautiful village full of stunning Cotswold stoned buildings. Again the shops were not amazing according to my dad… and still no swing.

We were now heading home however, instead of going straight, dad turned right into a place called lower slaughter. I hoped that we didn’t have to walk around. Thankfully we didn’t. Instead we drove around and looked at some stunning houses… certainly the prettiest place we have seen today. Mum said that she wanted to buy a house here. Dad looked pale.

We made it home around 5pm. This gave me lots of time to run around inside and climb stuff before bed.

So today was a good day. I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Toodle pip!

Cotswold village hunting- 19th November 2023

I awoke feeling much better. I therefore tried to ask dad if he could open the chocolates and yet, he refused. I therefore had my normal breakfast. We had a relaxing start to the day and didn’t rush to leave. As I hadn’t eaten yesterday, today I ate loads!

Mum drove as we made it to our first destination; Bibury. It was raining when we arrived and yet, mum and dad lifted me into my pushchair without a rain cover. I hid inside my coat.

There was only one real tourist attraction in Bibury and that was across a lovely stone bridge, which was positioned over a stream with the clearest water I had ever seen . Some people were playing poo sticks… which looked fun.

Arlington Road is a set of Beautiful Cotswold stone houses. They did look stunning however, you couldn’t go in. A part from that, Bibury had little to offer. we visited a gift shop before returning to the car.

Our next destination was Burford. I remembered this place. A very steep hill with Cotswold stoned buildings on each side of the road.It took forever to wait for a place in the villages well sized car park. We then walked into the village. I decided that the time had come to try to lose one of my socks which were currently on my feet. Sadly, when we returned to the car later on, mum found the sock.

The village was pretty. I liked the shops because my parents found them a bit boring therefore didn’t spend long shopping. We did stop in a pub for lunch. Mum and dad had a Sunday roast whereas I had fries. I didn’t mind as I could eat my fries as I watched tv.

Mum and dad both loved their Sunday roast. After eating I fell asleep to let mum and dad finish looking around the shops.

I actually wished the shops were better here as mum and dad woke me up early. We were back at the car around 2pm. Mum and dad did go and see Burfords church. Apparently it was alright.

We drove back in the direction of the lodge. Before getting there we went to Tesco. I wasn’t happy until I saw my dad put some chocolate rolls into his basket. We left Tesco with loads of food and made it back to the lodge just before dark.

I watched pepper pig!

So today had been a good day. I feel much better today and now ready for my holiday.

Toodle pip

Saturday 17th November 2023- off again

In all honesty, I couldn’t care less what was happening today. The cast of coco Melon could have visited my house, sang me a song and given me chocolate… but I would not have cared. I was ill.

I won’t go into too many details but, let’s just say my food left me a lot quicker than normal… and not by being sick. I spent the whole day lying on the sofa, mostly asleep . Dad put on coco melon which I was thankful for. I did feel sorry for dad. Today I hadn’t climbed on any tables or sofas, hadn’t asked him to read the same book again and again and again. He didn’t have to say the word ’no’ once (I still don’t know what that word means). It must have been a very boring day today for him.

I honestly didn’t witness any other action that day until 4:45pm. Grandma woke me up and dad put me in the car. I was not happy being woken up but, I soon fell asleep. The car was full.

I awoke later and it was very dark. It didn’t take long to get to where we were going … and what a surprise. We were back in the Cotswolds, in the same place I had stayed with my Japanese grandparents six months ago. I remembered the sofas, the stairs, the dining table. I started to feel a bit better. I had a bit of a sing, a little walk… but didn’t jump. I did feel ready for chocolate so I took our big box of chocolates over to mum to open… but she wouldn’t!

I soon went to bed. I like the Cotswolds therefore, I hope I feel fine tomorrow.

Toodle pip