I took the opportunity to have four nights at Tewkesbury, near Gloucester, in between lock-downs.
Sunday
Arr 3.30, usual sort of site but you can walk in to town, with views of abbey and the sound of the evening bells. Museums were all however. I walked to river and chatted with a painter who said next year is a big festival (note, now cancelled due to Covid but here are details of Tewkesbury Medieval Festival for another time).
Monday
My birthday so I opened my card from Mum. I drove over to a to silk factory then stopped at a cafe/craft shop I'd spotted, which was by a croquet lawn. Treated myself to a piece of cake and bought a shawl/throw in lovely colours.
Then on to Snowshill Manor (NT) which was gorgeous. Walked through orchards to a lovely walled garden (including a model village - very Hot Fuzz!).
Birthday tea in the van - smelly cheese, salami, bread, olives and Freixenet from a deli in Tewkesbury.
Tuesday
Then on through the Malverns to a place called British Camp - an Iron age fort. I climbed the fort, which was quite popular with lots of walkers, and saw an adder cross the path right in front of me.
Malvern didn't look like a good place to stop for some reason - I don't usually take against a place without stopping but for some reason it didn't appeal. So carried on to Upton-on-Severn which was much quieter and a great find. There was a brilliant map shop so stocked up on Christmas presents (including one for me). There is a pretty pepperpot church, lots of pubs and a book cafe where I had an ice cream.
Wednesday
Wet day. Visited the abbey which had some lovely pieces, and got some Christmas decorations.
