Golden October at Awkward Hill



The famous cottages at Arlington Row, which date originally from the 13th century, and which are now owned by the National Trust. In the 18th century, they were converted to weavers' cottages.


Rack Isle, which is also managed by the National Trust. It's a meadow area which is home to all sorts of bird and animal life. In the olden days, the weavers used this flat area beside the river Coln to dry their cloth, hence the name.


In the gardens in Bibury (above and below) the shrubs and trees are starting to take on their autumn colours.



Meanwhile, up at Awkward Hill Cottage, the autumn crocuses are in full swing.
They're growing in a reasonably open situation - not too dry, but with a bit of sun. The blue ones, below, look like a little pond from a distance.

Comments

Northern Shade said…
Congratulations on your new house and new life. It sounds like you were ready for a change, and this looks like a wonderful place for gardening and enjoying life.
Gardeningbren said…
I remember walking up the hill on Arlington Row a number of years ago, and the beauty of the place...the gardens nearby and the river with so many fish clearly visible. How wonderful to begin a new chapter in your life, and start a new garden most especially. Bravo and Best wishes from Canada. Am really looking forward to your future posts.
Rock rose said…
Looks wonderful. I am so excited for you. A dream cottage with a staddle stone included!
Kathy said…
What a lot of change all at once! It looks beautiful! I couldn't but help admire those colchicums in the second to last photo. Mine never have such deep color, especially in the tube (stem) part.
Pam/Digging said…
Oh my, that's very lovely! Congrats on your beautiful new home!
Mandy Good said…
You have no idea how exciting it is for us to have discovered your blog about this very special place. We are so happy that the cottage found you. Here in New Zealand we gathered all the people who have such happy memories of visiting Bibury over the years, happy in the knowledge that it is going to be loved as much as ever. It has been part of our lives for 40 years and will always be special to us. We look forward to following your journey.
Mandy, thank you so much for commenting! It means a lot to me - I know you have very special memories of the cottage. I also know that the garden is very much a natural, wildlife-friendly place, and the cottage itself hasn't changed very much over the years. I will want to make changes, but I hope that you don't think that what I do is insensitive or inappropriate. I want always to retain that element of charm - magic, even - that first attracted me.
I move in on Friday, and hopefully once the move is out of the way, I'll have more time to blog!
Unknown said…
I am Mandy's sister, and would also like to wish you a wonderful new life in Awkward Hill cottage. The photos you have taken have captured the cotswold autumn colours prefectly. I feel sad that this part our family life has come to an end, but very very happy to know that the cottage and it's garden will contine to be loved and apppreciated by you and your family. It is a very special place! I shall follow your blog with interest (from Thailand).
Anonymous said…
I may have left the same comment about 5 times on your blog. If so, I apologize. The page was not displaying any message as to whether it was successful, or not.

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