Alias the Second
We have spent the weekend up in the Cotswolds … having left it until the last minute to book anywhere we couldn’t manage to get a weekend abroad anywhere, so headed for Hotel Kandinsky as the Alias Weekends are pretty good value for money (and we enjoyed Alias the First a couple of years ago) … and when I say we, I mean just Steve and me 
The children have been staying with Steve’s parents; the weekend of childcare was their Christmas present to us
Maxed out the weekend in more ways than one as we went to a car auction on the way where we bought a car then took it with us. As you do. Our suitcase made me laugh when I opened it to find a few clothes, chargers for various items, and a V5 … typifies us I suppose 
Friday afternoon saw us mooching round Cheltenham (bought this game and had lots of fun playing it over the weekend - I’m pleased to report that my brain is, ahem, younger than Steve’s ) and then eating at Paradiso in the hotel. On Saturday we went to Hailes Abbey in the morning, then drove around various Cotswold towns in the afternoon, stopping for walks/ice creams/cups of tea wherever took our fancy.
Chuffed to bits to have finally found and agreed on some artwork for our lounge wall.
Found it at Jon Fox antiques - the photo doesn’t do it justice but it’s basically a montage of old printers’ blocks, set into a frame. We chose some individual letters and are having one made specially for us … more to follow when we actually pick it up in a few weeks.
Spent a fascinating couple of hours at this museum, which, at first glance, looked like a small room full of old and not very interesting musical boxes, but turned out to be an excellent and informative tour which Steve and I had to ourselves for the most part - well worth a visit for anyone within striking distance.
Decided that Bourton on the Water was a bit too busy and touristy for us, so finally went to Bibury which I remember from childhood visits but haven’t been to for ages. Didn’t take any photographs of what is apparently the most photographed row of houses in Britain, Arlington Row.
Saturday night we ended up back in Cheltenham to eat, at some french bistro whose name eludes me so no link … eta Steve reminded me, it was Le Petit Blanc Brasserie - food was great, anyway
Today, having been sucked into English Heritage membership yesterday (well, the National Trust one has run out and we need something to keep us feeling old and boring ) we headed out to Goodrich Castle near Ross on Wye.
Home with both cars this afternoon to pick up the children and have tea with Steve’s parents, Emma & Robyn. Emma seems to have been making cakes with the kids all weekend! They have had a whale of a time and at some point photos of their antics may appear on flickr too.
And now to try and do a weekend’s worth of housework in an hour or two 
June 18th, 2006 at 19:34
Wow - sounds a wonderful weekend. I suggest you drop hints for the rest of the year to Russ and Marg to do the same for you this Christmas. A weekend away sans children is one of the best things ever imo. The only prob is you get a bit addicted to them. Rog and I had one in April and I’m already thinking it’s time for another one
June 18th, 2006 at 19:35
PS. Get a cleaner
June 18th, 2006 at 19:39
Sounds like you had a lovely time.. Photos all look lovely and very quiet - where were all the other people???
Must catch up soon….R off to France on Tuesday.
June 18th, 2006 at 19:41
Looks like a fab weekend, great photos.
Jo and I discussed dropping in on you for a cuppa as we passed by your house on the way home last night. Good thing we didn’t, it would have been a long wait!
June 18th, 2006 at 22:03
You mean you were in my town on Saturday and didn’t call in!!!!!!! Shame on you. We weren’t here, mind you - still travelling back from Kessie - but still…..!
Have seen those printers’ block piccies in that shop many times and it would never have occurred to me to have one on my wall …!
June 18th, 2006 at 22:05
I promise I’ll call in when we go to pick it up, Joanna!