Research for Retirement

I was talking to my Dad the other day and he mentioned that he'll soon be at that age where he needs to start thinking about retirement. Let's face it, no one's getting any younger so I've already found the perfect place to retire... the Cotswolds :)

I went there last year and have been wanting to go back again ever since so finally I got the opportunity to go back but this time with Kum.

A 2 hour drive in our hired Hertz car took us to our first destination and accommodation in Cheltenham.

A cute 'B&B' like hotel, Cotswolds Grange.

The rooms was slightly dated but nonetheless a clean, warm and friendly service was provided. The location was good in terms of distance from the town centre but as we had a car, it didn't really make a difference where we stayed.

First stop was Sudeley Castle in Cheltenham housing tales of history about Henry VIII and his six wives. Amongst the magnificent gardens that you can admire, one part stood out for me...

...the knot garden.

I thought it was so cleverly created that I would like one in my future garden :)

The castle and its surroundings is huge. It includes a range of areas to visit. From the Knot Garden to the Queens Garden to the Pheasantry to the Herb Garden walk. All are worth seeing but make sure you're not in a rush.

Kum's first Cream Tea in Chipping Campden :)

Broadway Tower in Broadway (funny that? :P). Not a place that you would need to visit if it wasn't 'on the way'. Oh and watch out for the deer poo :)

Thatched houses. Love the look of them. Do you think it would work if I built a house in Melbourne with a thatched roof? Kum said it reminds him of Grug...

What do you think?

Next Stop: Hidcote Gardens.

One of the most beautiful gardens that I have visited. Structured as an outdoor garden with 'rooms', the sectioned off areas are homes to different plants of all textures and vibrant colours and some purposefully plain and natural. Water features, hedges, bridges, walls and paving complement the abundance of carefully presented flora.

Bourton on the Water

The very famous quaint town Bourton on the Water is known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds'. With many little pedestrians bridges arched over the River Windrush, it is the perfect place to relax, take a stroll, an ice cream in one hand and a camera in the other. And if you really want to let loose, you can take your shoes and socks off and splash around in the river with all the other children.

We decided to stay dry and take the bridge :)

The shallow clear calm waters... you couldn't not relax if you tried!

Have you ever felt like you're a little person in a very big world? Well, don't worry, you can have your turn of feeling 'big' by visiting the miniature model of the Cotswolds :)

We felt like giants...

and Godzilla :P

Welcome to my humble abode... my future retirement home :)

The Mill in Lower Slaughter

Kum felt tall for the second time that day :)

Goodbye Cotswolds... we will see each other again soon! :)

Tate Modern

Tate Modern. International modern and contemporary art. That could also translate into International weird, random and quirky art. Here's a taste of what you might find...

A pile of stones? A pile of cement? A pile of dust? Look closer...

A pile of sunflower seeds :) No, they aren't real...

These seeds that have been individually hand crafted from porcelain. Impressive huh?

Meant to represent lightning striking an object and then...

somehow turning this structure into little creatures that I think looks like poo. :P The trolley looking thing in the background on the left is meant to represent a goat :S

A display of drawings/sketches.

Hrmm....

'Santa Claus is not evil. There is no need to defend myself against him.'

Weird much?

Hahaha...

Not quite sure what this is suppose to represent.

I'm pretty sure my Year 1's could create something like this.

One of my favourite paintings.

I don't get how this is so 'amazing' that it deserves to be in the museum. I'm sure there's something behind it that I'm not aware of.

No, these are real. Not hand crafted. :)

Going up to...?

Need a place to get rid of your old clothes? :P Yes, this is apparently art.

Kent

Kent is definitely in my top 3 destinations in England to visit. A stunningly beautiful town with a magnificent castle that attract many from near and far. Leeds Castle, not in Leeds, is Kent's most famous attraction, housing 500 acres of amazing parkland. Perfect location for a wedding :)

Enjoying the greenery and spectacular views of the castle.

Leeds Castle... don't look very big from this angle.

That's more like it :)

My favourite room of the whole castle... can you guess why? :)

One of the many gardens you can admire and take a walk through.

Leeds Castle is not just for the tourists. Many families bring their children to run around the abundant green fields and hills. But one attraction they also have is...

The maze :)

Looks easy enough, we thought. We were very wrong. We spent 30mins going around and around in circles.

"Which way Lee-ean?"

"I dunno."

So close yet so far.

We had to reach the centre where you could climb up a 'rock mountain' and laugh at everyone else who were struggling to find the centre. We were so close to just climbing over the hedge as the mountain was just over the other side.

But alas, we made it! Ok, so we had to cheat and ask someone to show us the way. In our defence, we were on a tight schedule for the day and couldn't afford to spend too long there. Otherwise I'm sure we would have found our way eventually :P

Maze = failed. :(

We visited another castle on our way back - Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. The castle itself wasn't as impressive but the garden/parkland was just as beautiful! Unfortunately we arrived too late and didn't have enough time to explore it properly (as it was closing time). This castle was more family orientated as it had something for everyone. You could take a stroll through the rose garden, find your way around a water maze where you would get wet if you stepped on the wrong stone, practice your targets with archery, or impress a girl in a row boat. Check out the website for more info :)