Gloucester Tall Ships Festival 2013 – is coming to town

All hands on deck for Gloucester Tall Ships Festival 2013 The award winning Gloucester Tall Ships Festival will be taking place in the city’s Historic Docks from Friday 24 to Monday 27 May 2013. There will be regular news updates from the official Gloucester Tall Ships website www.gloucestertallships.co.uk as we finalise details for one of the South West’s premier festivals.     Ships Ahoy! A flotilla of ships will sail into the country’s most inland port between 12 noon and 1pm on Friday 24 May, providing a truly unique vista.  The ships first sail into the tidal Severn Estuary and make their way into the city via the Gloucester Sharpness Canal (16 miles as the crow flies). As the ships approach Gloucester Docks, you’ll see the High Orchard Bridge and Llanthony Bridge raised to make room for those tall masts, before mooring in the main basin for the rest of the Festival. We’ll have more news on the ships for you soon. Can’t wait to see this – it is such fun!

2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 4,800 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 8 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

International Centre for Birds of Prey

The Centre is just down the road from Lea House and I was sent this information today.

Winter Owl Evenings in 2012 Start on October 27th (Halloween Owl evening) then from November 10th onwards, every Sat in November and every Fri and Sat in December up to just before Christmas Eve.

These are a wonderful treat, experience a very special evening with owls at the ICBP. Starting with a guided tour by torchlight, where the owls look alert and awake - very different from as you see them during the day.

After the tour warm up with a hog roast and mulled wine or hot apple juice (vegetarian option available). This is followed by a flying demonstration of small owls which takes place in a new setting for this year –  in the Indoor Flying area with special low level lighting

Finally we end the evening with owls free flying in their natural element – outside in the flying field with special underground low level lighting with the owls glimmering through the lights as they cross the flying ground.

The Owl Evenings are ticketed only, and places are limited The experience starts at 7.00pm and ends at about 9.00pm. Tickets are £25.00 for adults and £12.00 for children (12 and under) and includes the food and drink. The owl evenings will run on every saturday from October 27th  (we avoid Nov 3rd - Guy Fawkes night) to the end of November and every Fri and Sat in December up to Christmas.

We run them again the weekend of February 15/16th (after that time the owls start breeding and need evening peace!)

Wear warm sensible clothes and bring a torch. To book tickets Tel. 01531 820286 or 821581. If you would like more details, please contact us either by phone, or email - info@icbp.org

talk soon – and hope to see you for an Owl Evening

- c

At Barnes Common Fair – in the rain!

Well I was up in London yesterday. I went to help Holly and Luke run their Titchy Kitch stand at the Barnes Common Fair. I have always wanted to go – 300 stalls and loads of people so lots of fun. However, it rained in the morning, it rained at lunchtime and it rained most of the afternoon!! The ground was waterlogged, muddy and conditions generally were pretty foul. Never mind. They sold lots of their stuff and we got a good idea of which of their stock is the most popular. Roll on sales on the website now.www.titchykitch.co.uk - great cooking stuff for little people – and adults too.
Drove home after a very long day on my feet, thru driving rainstorms – lovely!! Glad to get into my bed last night.

Canoeing on the River Wye

My guests have just arrived this evening, to go canoeing on the Wye tomorrow.  I was terribly afraid the river would be too high and the boats wouldn’t be able to get on so this morning I suggested they check with the canoe company.  Apparently it is ok – we are watching the weather forecast carefully this evening!  Hopefully it will be ok.  They are booked to go from Wilton at Ross-on-Wye all the way down to Symonds Yat.  I gather it should take about 5 hours.  I will quiz them thoroughly tomorrow evening and make sure there is plenty of hot water available!  The last two lots of canoeing guests I have had, have both capsized!!!

talk soon – c

SPECIAL OFFER – 10% off if you come to stay with your dog!

I am happy to accept well-behaved dogs at Lea House, and often have more than one party of guests with one.  It is so easy, with a large field opposite and a million walks all around the area.  I can’t think of anywhere your dog would enjoy more.

So ….  I have decided to offer any couples that would like to come to stay with their dog, a 10% discount until the end of June.  Just quote FBDOG – and you will be welcome – provided I have availability of course.

See you soon – c

ps – My JR – Jelly Bean – can’t wait to say Hi to your dog.  Lilli and Cracker (my cats) may be more reticent

James Gourmet Coffee

I had very appreciative coffee drinkers in this weekend!  With the horrible weather outside, they all lingered over steaming cafetieres of excellent coffee, roasted and ground for me locally in Ross-on-Wye by James Gourmet Coffee.

talk soon – c

ps- Let’s all think positive thoughts about the weather for next weekend!