Wednesday 26 September 2012

Enjoying Hampshire! ;-)







If you’re going to have a ‘long weekend break’ in Hampshire
then a visit to the town of Stockbridge is an ideal start!

Lying in the heart of the Test Valley, ( The River Test is a stunningly
beautiful chalk stream river which is said to be the ‘Queen of fly fishing‘)
  is Stockbridge,with its famous, wide street,which was once a drovers road. 
So, no fast cars in those days; just herds of sheep or cattle
 being driven along the picturesque street.








The  famous artist and writer, the late Norman Thelwell, lived in
the Test Valley at a place called Timsbury, near Romsey, during the last 25 years of his life.

Thelwell gradually restored a farmhouse and landscaped the grounds,
which then gave rise to his first factual book,
'A Plank Bridge by a Pool'.
It's a fascinating read, if you get the chance!




Of course, many people only know Thelwell as an illustrator
of these wonderful pictures:






The River Test has always been my favourite English river, 
although I have to confess that I don’t do fly fishing and have no desire to take up
such an occupation!  

The River Test flows through or near a number of Hampshire villages
and the same river also graces Mottisfont with its presence:


Well worth a visit if you are in the area!

We briefly stopped in Stockbridge on Friday as we journeyed from
Devon to Hampshire.





Our destination was Fleet, where we had booked accommodation

for 4 nights, here:




Why Fleet?

Ah well, Fleet is situated fairly close to Hartley Wintney

and we were there on Saturday to take part in the

Vintage Bazaar.

Yes, that's the same Vintage Bazaar which originates from Frome!


The Vintage Bazaar was, 'on location' and thus spreading its wings, taking

the vintage story to North Hampshire.

Way hay!!





And a very fine fair it was too, with so much stunning stock, gorgeous goods,

 fabulous finds and colourful collectables.






We very much enjoyed being part of this new event, organised by

Lizzie and Clare!

Afterwards, we wandered around Hartley Wintney.





'Hmm,' uttered Mr Snippets, as we passed this sign.

'I didn't even know that I was going out with her!' LOL;-)

And with that, I'll be back soon with part two!!

;-)

2 comments:

  1. Looks like a lovely part of the country.
    I used to love the Thelwell books as a child.
    Gillx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, what a lovely excursion to a great part of the country - Devon is the tops, but there are other gorgeous areas, too! The Cricketers looks a good watering hole (and close to water, har, har!)
    Margaret P

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment! ;-)