Valentine to remember.

Well we know it's been months again since our last blog, it's been hard to keep it up with the packing to go to Aus and work so this will well be a short catch up.

The Lambs Inn

For Valentines Day this year we retreated away from the Lake District and ran off to the Cotswolds. We went to a pub, called the Lambs Inn for three nights. On arrival we had been up graded form the little room we had booked to one of their nicest rooms. I think B2 may have had something to do with it.




Blenheim Palace Maze was great fun! We ran around in the snow with dozens of children looking for the way out.





We relaxed a lot through the three days not doing as much running around as we normal do, but we did visit Blenheim Palace (Home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough). Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and was one of the attractions we definately needed more time to visit. We spent three quarters of the day there, and only managed to get around the palace its self and some very close gardens.

The Palace was created to celebrate victory over the French during the Wars of the Spanish Succession. In particular it was a gift to the First Duke of Marlborough. He was the military commander who skilfully led the Allied forces into battle on 13th August 1704 at Blindheim (Blenheim). After the Battle Marlborough personally received the surrender of Marshall Talland, leader of the French forces.

The Duke also ensured that the Palace became a monument to Queen Anne. It was the Queen and a grateful nation who granted to the Marlboroughs, the Manor of Woodstock and the promise of the funds needed to build such a house.

This is a water way in the Palace Grounds designed by 'Capability' Brown, helped the Palace gain its World Heritage Status.
This is the Grand Bridge over the water way, half covered by ice and lit by the sun set.

What a beautiful view!

At Blenheim there was a lovely Butterfly house to wonder through and enjoy the warmth and Beautiful colours of the flowers and the rare butterflies. It was great to be out of the winters cold for a few minutes. 

Old Tudor market house in one of the villages.

The rest of our time in the Cotswolds we toured around taking in the views and visiting the gorgeous little villages.

Another market square in the Cotswold dating back hundreds of years.
What amazing workmanship put into all their buildings to have them still standing today in near pristine condition.

The whole area was full of these classic Cotswold sand stone buildings. The pubs, houses, shops even bridges, everything was made of sandstone. It gave the villages that chocolate box look that the area is so well known for.

We loved it!

So from B1 and  B2 please enjoy.