Sunshine After The Rain

Sunday morning in Tetbury marked a respite from the torrential rain we have endured over the last week – we thank ourselves lucky we not too have suffered the flooding and devastation it leaves behind.  The gutters on the property were unable to cope with the exceptional heavy rainfall and the water cascaded over, finding its way into the property with the odd leak appearing, not unusual in a property dating back to 1713.  As much as I didn’t want to it was time to get the ladders out and clear the gutters of leaves and debris.  The roofline at the rear of the property is at odd angles making balancing on a ladder quite precarious to say the least, with Gary leaning against the bottom rungs up I went to investigate.  Gutters now free of leaves and twigs the water was able to flow freely.  As the weather remained dry we decided to head over to Painswick for the afternoon.

Painswick is a half hour drive from Tetbury via Stroud; it sits in the Cotswold Hills surrounded by some exceptional countryside – just perfect for walking and enjoying the views.  The town is exceptionally attractive with quaint winding streets lined with properties of some exceptional architectural merit; it was at its height in wealth in the 16^th/17^th century due to the cloth and wool industry which it was then famous for.  Sitting squarely in the town is the church of St Mary, the churchyard is famous for its 99 clipped Yew trees (legend has it that a 100^th won’t grow).  Equally notable are the grand table top tombs erected in memory of wealthy wool merchants.

Colin & Hettie

Each time we visit its incredibly sleepy, you can meander through the streets and see no-one!  Could Painswick be the place to live if you crave peace from the rat race?    

Magazine Addiction

I have to admit I am an absolute sucker for glossy magazines – sadly it’s an affliction I have suffered my entire adult life!  For many years I carted around boxes of magazines that I could not bear to part with, and after 14 house moves fate decided to take a hand.  Unknown to us, the then house had a natural spring under the garage floor, after an autumn of several weeks of rain the spring spouted forth!  The boxes holding the magazines were soaked leaving a proportion of the collection ruined.  As disappointed as I was it was apparent that I finally move on and stop hoarding.  A major clear-out was in order, surprisingly the experience was very therapeutic, plus we suddenly had a garage.  I still buy more magazines than I should, but the only title I now keep is ‘The World of Interiors’.  Other titles are passed on - better someone else enjoys the pleasure. 

Last weekend I was in Bath and bought a couple of the quarterly mags, issue 7 of ‘Port’, a global publication that mixes the traditional and contemporary, it is marked as ‘Intelligent’ magazine for men, yes it is very slick with well written and researched articles proving a very eclectic mix.  This issue has an interiors profile of the late ‘Joseph Ettedgui’ known as the creator of modern retail and who built the eponymous chain of ‘Joseph’ shops.  I have to say his stylish west London penthouse that he shared with his family is the model of elegant restraint as were his clothes.  The magazine’s editorial is different – one article that stands out is ‘Corpses’ a letter from New Orleans, recounting the problems of burying the deceased!  The closing page interview with Philip Parker, MD & head cutter at Henry Poole & Co in Savile Row is enlightening.

My other purchase was issue 14 of ‘Acne Paper’, published bi-annually by super cool Stockholm based fashion label Acne.  Initially it reminds me of the original Andy Warhol ‘Interview’ mag in format.  This issue is totally dedicated to the Manhattan district of New York, it’s a fairly weighty coffee table style book, printed on matt tactile paper.  The photographic layouts are absolutely superb.  There’s a funny and honest interview with ‘Simon Doonan’ creative ambassador for Barneys department store New York, his window displays always have the ability to shock and inspire.  Photo essays of New York movers & shakers by Brigitte Lacombe, a feature on the delicious Manhattan Cocktail, beautiful fashion shoot in Central park by Andreas Larsson.  There certainly is a lot to read in this gorgeous publication, plus it offers a wonderful insight to life in New York.

Shropshire Bound

All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy!  Recent days off from running the shop has been spent making major changes to what was the gift & accessories room.  It has been refurbished and fitted to accommodate relaxed casual footwear for men/women plus cool clothes for kids age 8 – 12 by must have label ‘Scotch & Soda’ mini me range ‘Shrunk Scotch’ & ‘Scotch Re Belle’.  Now that it’s finished a proper day off was needed. 

In a previous business of ours we stocked Baileys Homeware  & Garden, having only ordered stock at trade shows we had never visited their emporium near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.  Their recent award by The Telegraph Magazine as winner of ‘Best Homewares Retailer’ prompted me to think we should pay a visit.  From Tetbury it’s a fairly straightforward trip – only bottleneck is passing through Gloucester.  We arrived at Bridstow in 1.25 hours.  Baileys is housed in a cluster of sympathetically restored farm buildings.  The ethos of founders Mark & Sally is to recycle and reuse bringing life to old objects; in fact they have published two successful books on the subject.  The emporium is a series of quirky rooms full of simple, stylish not over designed items for the home – plus a wonderful selection of reconditioned vintage items.   The choice of products is amazing, from a mundane ball of string to a deep comfy sofa perfect for that duvet day.

We finished off the visit with a light lunch in the ‘Tabernacle Tearoom’ which is a reconstructed defunct corrugated-iron chapel  that has been turned in to a lovely light airy café.  Don’t expect gastro food & fancy coffees – just good honest homemade sandwiches, soup, and a selection of cakes, we had smoked chicken & rocket rolls, cafetiere of coffee – everything was delicious. 

Tabernacle Tearoom

After lunch we drove to Hay-on-Wye which is a favourite destination.  The journey is pleasant as the Welsh Border countryside is breathtakingly beautiful.  I find Hay-on-Wye is always busy even on a dull day as it was for us.  Hay is known as ‘The Town of Books’, every other shop is a bookseller – absolute mecca for bookworms!  Each year there is the ‘HayLiterary Festival’ with British & international authors giving talks about their latest works.  The town itself has an interesting mix of architectural styles; there is a strong bohemian vibe in the air – ideal for those who have a laidback attitude to life.  The journey home was approximately two hours.  Another point worth mentioning is that this part of England is landlocked without good motorway connections; property prices are lower, making this the perfect destination for those wanting to retreat & escape the speed of modern life.