Tuesday, March 26, 2019

England: Welcome to Bath and Morgan's Forge

Back to England! I'll have updates on Rick when we know more but right now we're just waiting for blood clots to dissipate before he can have surgery; then lengthy recuperation. Maybe remembering England will brighten up his days; it does mine! A visit from the Baby Grands sure helped -- even if Rick and Little Little Guy slept through part of it!


Our time in England was nearing its end and so was my foot! After our last morning in Oxford, Rick (of the newly trimmed haircut) and I made our way to the Oxford station and took the train to Bath. It was a most pleasant ride with green fields, cows and sheep, patiently grazing in the late afternoon sun.


Our first and only stop in town was at the grocery store for breakfast food. Then we hailed a cab and headed to our destination, Morgan's Forge. This charming house was located in Midford, a bit over three miles from Bath.


This is what we saw when we arrived!


Heaven. That's all I can say.



Morgan's Forge is owned by a former colleague of mine and his wife and had been her father's before that. It's located high atop a hill, a five minute walk down the hill to the pub and bus stop; a ten minute (or so...) walk back up!


Yes, it's steep.


But the views! Check out the sheep!


This was the view out of the upstairs front bedroom window. It's like something from an English novel.


From our bedroom window, a view of the terrace -- lovely purple flowers still in bloom!


Of course Rick settled in to check email as I settled. He was, after all, still working!


I poked around, checking out the garden and patio.


What a haven. If only it was warm enough to settle out there with a good book!


Soon it was time to hit the Hope and Anchor pub for dinner. It was located at the foot of the hill. That's not us in the pic walking down the hill -- but it might as well be! We did it a lot!


The Hope and Anchor was charming as all get out!


I had a delicious goat cheese/feta/roasted veggie pie with the salad and chips.


After being fully satiated, we walked back up the hill. It was pitch dark and so still. The only sounds were our footsteps. And then, we settled in the comfy living room, lit a fire, checked out British mysteries on the telly and planned next day.


For Rick, a bicycle rental and a road trip.


For me, a bus trip into the Cotswolds.


If, that is, we could leave our cozy space! (And we do! Next time!)

(If you are planning a trip to the Bath area and interested in learning more about Morgan's Forge, let me know!)

Sharing with:    Pink Saturday     /     Take Me Away    

40 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

You stayed at a very pretty place. Glad you were able to see so much on your trip. Hope Rick is soon feeling better. Hugs, Valerie

Joanne Huffman said...

Lovely.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I love traveling through your eyes! Thanks for sharing.

bobbie said...

Gorgeous!! That's the England for me! Thanks for the trip!

Iris Flavia said...

Waiting is among the worst! Hope you soon can get on wwith the broken leg!
Oh, I can´t remember exactly but Bath sure rings a bell here.
And Morgan's Forge sure sounds and looks tempting!
I remember when in 1983 my now ex and I built up a tent in Dover and I woke up to a baby crying. Turned out it was a sheep, LOL!
Cozy indeed where you stayed! (But England I´ve been twice, so not really on my list anymore - even if I have to admit... it´s been a long time ago!)...

Iris Flavia said...

1993, certainly!!!

Cheryl Lawson said...

Hi Jeanie, Thank you! Thank you! Thank You! England is our very favorite place to visit (last time was 2017) and your post and photos brought back so many wonderful memories of Bath, Oxford, the Cotswalds, and so much more. Your little cottage reminds me so much of the one we stayed in last time, in Hampsthwaite, in Northern England near Harroget. Don't you love how the British decorate their homes? No fear of using color and mixing the old with the new.Guess I'm kind of an anglophile - my Mom was born there (in Bradford) and I even drive a British Mini-Cooper! I hope you'll post more of your photos. I'm thinking of you and wishing only the best for your husband, Rick. Hugs, Cheryl

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Jeanie,

What a lovely place to visit and tour. The Morgan's Forge looks wonderful. Pretty views and a nice walk to the pub. I would be happy there. I hope your day is great!

Lilbitbrit said...

What. A beautiful place to stay. Do hope Rick is better soon.

NanaDiana said...

Hi Jeannie- I always feel like I am right there with you...an armchair traveler, if you will.

I am glad you had such a good time and I am praying for your hubby AND you! I am sure he is just miserable.

Have a wonderful day--I know you will. xo Diana

Sami said...

What a charming place, great views, wonderful terrace and within walking distance to a pub and good pub food.
Hope Rick has a good recovery after his op.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

Oh my gosh, those stone houses made me homesick for a place I've never been. So quaint and picturesque!

La Table De Nana said...

Reminds me of Susan Branch's Picnic trip:) Pretty pretty countryside..Best wishes to Rick.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

A delightful location obviously, and one I would have enjoyed very much, although nearer to an RSPB reserve is preferable! I can only say that it was probably a bit of a challenge for you to clamber up and down the hill given your mobility issues during the trip, so thank goodness Rick had the good sense to wait until he got back from Europe to break his leg!

Karen said...

OMG! Poor Rick! We hope things go well with his recovery. He's not going to like being sedentary, is he? I guess the bike trip this summer is off the table then?
Feeling very sad for him. (You?)

Sandy K. said...

Oh Jeannie, we missed so much when we were there. The Forge looked fabulous! Love your photos and narrative. Hope Rick is mending!

Joyful said...

It sure is picturesque. Some day I hope to get to Bath.

Susan Kane said...

Such amazing photos!

My favorite is Rick and little guy. His socked feet turned me into grandma goo.

DUTA said...

The view with the sheep is priceless!
I love the picture of you two, near the table, relaxed and making plans.

William Kendall said...

Morgan's Forge is quite a place!

Lynne said...

Morgan Forge is a dream . . .
How charming for youn.
Loved the grazing sheep against the green . . .
This stay must have been a highlight of your trip!

Love the sleepy cuddle between Rick and grandson.
I hope Rick, and you, are weathering his injury with quiet times, conversations, some laughter too.
Certainly not what either of you had planned.

Sandra said...

What a wondrous place. I'd love to visit Bath and Morgan's Forge.
Well wishes to Rick.

Anonymous said...

Jeanie, I am behind in all that is going on. I hope that Rick gets better soon. Revisiting your British travels must be a comfort and joy to dwell on. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Miss Val's Creations said...

What an adorable home to stay in! So perfect! The scenery looks beyond amazing. It has always been a dream of mine to live in an English village with rolling greens where you can walk to the local pub. I hope Rick's healing is going as well as possible.

My name is Erika. said...

Sorry to hear about Rick's leg needing surgery and him having blood clots. One little mishap can create so much havoc, can't it? But I enjoyed your photos from Morgan's Forge. It looks like you had a great visit. What a pretty little town. Take care. Hugs-Erika

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

How simply beautiful your accommodations are, Jeanie! Morgan's Forge sounds very interesting and looks lovely. I know that was a hard place to leave. I hope your husband is better. What a darling photo of him and the grandbaby. Take care of yourself as you care for him.

Mary K. said...

Jeanie I love those stone houses. We used to have lots of them in Greece too. They create such a warm cozy atmosphere. The town you stayed at looks so inviting and picturesque and that photo of the yellow bloom and the road made me feel so nostalgic. I too would have been torn between staying indoors and running outside to experience everything.

Little Wandering Wren said...

Of course, I'm utterly at home in these sorts of places, the open fireplace and the warm colours on the walls, pub down the road... I'm so happy that you found this place, I love seeing our photos and experiences in our neck of the woods! I'm glad you had this good holiday, especially with everything you are going through now.
Take care both of you.
Wren x

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Your views were definitely like something from a novel or movie. Your friend's home is charming and a walk to the pub to eat sounds ideal!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Looks like Rick is listening to the doctor and taking it easy and nice snooze partner too. The Bath trip looked lovely and that pub is someplace I would enjoy as well.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Wow, your accommodations looked so cozy! I would have a hard time pulling myself away from that fireplace! That whole area looks so charming! A nice way to end your trip to the UK!

I forgot to comment on Rick's blood clot on my last post. Those are so scary! I'm glad he's on some good drugs to combat the clots. It can take awhile for them to break up - it took several weeks for mine to go away but it was massive!! Poor guy. The nap with the little one sounds perfect, though!!

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

O my gosh, Jeanie. This is my most favorite post yet on the whole trip. To be walking down Tucking Mill Lane should be a destination that everyone should have. It is truly like living in a fairy tale and thank you for taking me with you..xxoJudy

Barb said...

Perfection! Glad you made such good memories (and photos). Sweet that Rick and Grandbaby took a little nap together.

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Jeanie, this post is my absolute favorite. Love the sheep and Morgan Forge is lovely. What a beautiful trip you had. Wishes for all to continue well for Rick. Hope you are seeing signs of spring.

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, Morgan’s Forge is so charming! The view was simply gorgeous and to be within walking distance of good food is perfect!

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, Morgan’s Forge is so charming! The view was simply gorgeous and to be within walking distance of good food is perfect!

Marilyn Miller said...

What a gorgeous place to stay! Thanks also for the update on Rick. I hope the swelling is going down by now and he will soon have surgery behind him and start the full healing process. Oh pub food is the best too!!!

shoreacres said...

This is the sort of holiday I would enjoy. Everything seems just perfect, from your residence, to the landscape, to the food. And walkable is perfect; I'm glad you were able to enjoy that, too. I laughed at five minutes down, ten minutes up. I'm at that stage of life myself, even with two good feet!

I'll look forward to updates on Rick. Mom had to wait for her surgery, too, and it was perhaps the worst part of the experience for her, because until that was over, real healing couldn't begin. I hope things go quickly!

Lowcarb team member said...

Such a nice place to stay.

Sending my continued prayers and positive wishes for Rick.

All the best Jan

Stevenson Q said...

My dearest Jeanie! That is one house I would so love to live at! It's like the classic houses I can see from romantic British set films I love to watch! plus the neighborhood it's in seems so peaceful and quiet! Love it! Thank you so so much and I am so happy to see you again on Timeless Thursdays :)

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