A regular summer event in our family calendar has been wild swimming at a lovely river not too far from here, and this year has been no exception. You can read about one of last summer's trips in this post. On a lovely warm day recently P, J and I drove to the river swimming club. It was a perfect summer afternoon, and quite busy there. We spread out our rug under the trees and P and J set off for a swim while I read and tried to crochet (I'm finding it difficult to get into crocheting at the moment - perhaps I need to get started on a project).
The afternoon was languid and I enjoyed relaxing in the sunshine while the others swung in off a rope swing and swam up and down the river. As I said last year, I'm not keen on murky water (even though it's nice and clean there) but P loves to swim outside, enjoying the sense of well-being it gives.
While they were splashing around I went for a wander. The river runs through a little valley here which has fields on both sides and is very pretty. Lots of wildflowers were in bloom.
Soon the swimmers had had enough and needed to warm up, so we packed up our things and headed through the meadows along the valley.
Before long we came to our destination, a place we have been to many times - a lovely farm which has a campsite, B&B and, best of all, they sell cream teas.
The manor house is 15th century and exudes history.
In the gardens in front of it there are tables and chairs set amongst hedges and trees which are absolutely full of birds. Sparrows and chafinches chattered and fluttered over our heads and under the eaves of the old roof constantly.
The garden is gorgeous.
Swallows swooped above us as we waited for our tea to arrive.
I have to say that these are the best cream teas ever - home-made scones and cream from the farm's cows, in extremely generous portions. Good thing it's only once a year!
We couldn't eat another thing all day.
Afterwards we ambled back through the meadows, in no hurry in the drowsy afternoon haze. I'm glad that we have such a beautiful place nearby, and love our summer wild swimming trips (even if I don't actually swim!).
What a wonderful day out, that would be my perfect day out, ooh that cream tea, look at all that cream lovely x
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely spot for swimming, and the cream tea place looks beautiful, I'd definitely be happy there! CJ xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect way to spend a summer day.
ReplyDeleteIt looks a delightful place & you're right those cream teas look huge! x
ReplyDeleteI'm right with you - I don't like swimming in water where I can't see what's at the bottom. I would like that cream tea, though, very much! :-) xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place to visit - and the tea looks delicious! xx
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of wild swimming (used to do it in Africa) but here I find the water toooooooooo cold!! The scones look amazing :)
ReplyDeleteLooks idyllic, its always so nice to swim outdoors. I Like the look of those cream teas! The farm house looks gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteOooh I love cream teas and that one looks fabulous! It's no good I might have to go to M&S for a cheese scone now. x
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, skip the swimming but definitely have the cream tea. I'm finding it hard to settle in to crochet just now too, perhaps it's an end of summer thing? Hx
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfect day. I've never been wild swimming in a river but rather fancy it - especially if I can have a cream tea like that one afterwards! xx
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