Castle Combe revisited...

Tired of old stone houses and windows yet?

Well, then this is not a blog post for you, unless...

... I can distract you with the thought of tea and scones
in these lovely tea rooms in a private home in Castle Combe?

Ooups, terribly sorry, more old stone houses and flower-clad windows to put up with...

Are you squealing for mercy yet? No? Well then, here's another one...

This last row of houses are by a small stream (hence the bulrush in the foreground) and were the background for some scenes in the film Doctor Dolittle. For the cineasts among you, if you happen to watch Steven Spielberg's new film War Horse (intended to release in the US in Dec 2011, in the UK in Jan 2012), you may recognize some of the houses in this post, as Castle Combe was the key location when the film was shot last year.

Now, enough namedropping... 

Thank you SO much for your kind response to my outdoor decorating attempts in my last blog entry. Swamped by work at the moment, my decorating frenzies will have to be put on hold for a while, but I hope these floral facades can offer some inspiration instead. Personally, I dream of one day "dressing" the front of my house in a flower "gown" similar to the Old Rectory Tea Rooms here - now there is some curb appeal if ever I saw some!

Wishing you a magical week, 

whether shimmering with stardust or just your glowing selves!

Helena

More images from Castle Combe in earlier blog posts here and here.

Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door...?

Or pull, perhaps... Call me greedy, but I WANT a door bell like this!

We are back in our neighbouring village of Castle Combe, and continue the walk I started with you a few days ago. If you approach the village from the lower end, you are greeted by this lovely sign:


Our boys love trout-spotting at this spot, and feeding the ducks - who were apparently hiding the day these photos were taken...

Can you see the yummy old and rusty roller leaning against the wall there? I have zero use for one, but can I have it, please? Please?!

Oh, wouldn't I like to explore what is behind these gates? And have they not left them open in a very inviting manner? How I would die to peer into the windows, just to see what decorating style and treasures inhabit this beautiful abode. Perhaps one day I will knock, knock, knock on a door to see if I can find out...

The fairy tale next door...

One of my favourite neighbouring villages is Castle Combe. It is a 10-15-minute drive from us, or a pleasant, long Sunday walk. Either way, what greets you on your arrival - provided they are not shooting a film there on the day you come - is a village so pretty it is almost unbearable. I am used to it now, of course, so I can handle it.

But only just.

It still takes my breath away, fuels me with a desire to write a fairy tale, an itch to create a costume drama or at least compose a little crime detective novel, Agatha Christie-style.

If only I could...



In the meantime, I drool and dribble and try not to get too much excited saliva on the lens as I snap-snap-snap up the views, as if I could bottle them and bring out whenever I craved a little castlecombing at home.

If only I could...


The thing is, you see, these are not just some theatre props, this is a living village, with real people leading their real lives behind those doors. They may not be allowed to change the exterior of their houses, should they be overcome by a desire to paint their house cerise. No, that is a no-no. The buildings are listed and cannot be messed with. Personally, I would not change a thing, if I were ever given the chance to live in one of them.

If only I could...