22nd May 2022
We took a walk around Wotton Underwood Estate, only with my mobile phone, so I failed to get many shots of the wildlife. It is a shame to see the one old oak tree broken. It has always been magnificent with the strange spiral trunk. Now unfortunately it has been broken by the winds, still alive, but will be gone soon. It is a lovely walk, and you don’t get to see anyone, not even Tony Blair.
8th May 2022
Beautiful day in May was chosen for the Wotton Fête. We had not attended for a few years, something got in the way, and then it was COVID. Unfortunatey Wotton House was not open. It used to be for Fête days. The house not being open was a disappointment. We love the house to open, not so much to see the inside it, but to peer out of the upstairs windows into the grounds of Tony Blair’s country house next door. The last time we did this, there were only armed police in the garden, which, claimed R, would have put her off her G&T on the terrace.
The fête had the usual country treats; cakes, teas, a brass band and dog show competitions. A few classic cars are also brought along for nostalgic reasons. Tecnology is making its way, a wifi zone had been setup to make payments by card faster. Additionally, a number of electric cars arrived at the fête,
The church was also festooned with flowers, adding a graceful touch.
I seem to have failed in blogging. Maybe it’s the wet weather, or recently the unseasonable cold weather. Today the sun has shone, the wind has abated, and it was almost reasonable for a walk, though still on the cold side (made double figures at 11 Celsius).
So we did go for a walk, using our newly acquired passes that allow as to walk around the private grounds and lakes at Wotton Underwood. We had a good couple of hours ramble around The Lake, spotting birds as we went. Yes it has the very original name. No, we did not bump into Tone and Cheri, or their armed police guards. Identifications of birds will be placed in the gallery in due course. Yes I did identify the Swan!
The annual tug of war match between Wotton Underwood and Kingswood was held on May 31st 2010. I have at last loaded the pictures to the website.
https://www.blasdale.com/blog/picture-albums/blasdale-picture-gallery-2010/2010-tug-of-war/
The country residence of Tony Blair, the Wotton fete on his back door.
Tony Blair's spy camera, monitoring who enters by the back gate.
Back view of Tony Blair's house
Visited Wotton Underwood for their open day. Looked around a few of the gardens, participated in teas and cakes and purchased a few items at the book/bric-a-bracstall. Alas this year the
trains were not running.
We had a tour around Wotton House, guided by the owner. This gave us excellent views into Tony Blair’s garden. Alas all we saw where two rather bored armed policemen enjoying the sunshine. Rosemary said she didn’t think much of them as garden ornaments. Tony Blair and Cherie Blair were not is residence at their country pad.
Today we went to the Wotton Underwood open day. Did not visit the house, we had seen that two years ago. Instead we rode on the 15 inch railway, taking a ride on on the Steam Powered Train. The track takes you a mile or so through the countryside.
After the ride, we went for a long walk around the lake. We saw masses of dragon flies, and fish jumping out catching the low flying dragon flies. The estate is doing a massive amount of tree planting. It is very beautiful, quiet and restful around there.
Monday we had the tug of war over Tetchwick Brook between Wotton Underwood and Kingswood. We had lovely weather and a good turn out for the match.
Kingswood men won their match winning 2 pulls to Wotton’s 0.
Kingswood women lost to Wotton, despite their win on the first pull, which was disqualified when a count shouted 12 Kingswood women and only 8 Wotton women.
Kingswood Juniors won their match 2 pulls to 1.
Wotton provided an endless BBQ of burgers and sausages, which never seemed to stop. Kingswood provided the bar of Hook Norton beer, wine and various other liquids.
Thanks to all the people who organised this event: George Stanton for getting the beer & for organizing the Aunt Sally; Austin Lovell for umpiring the tug of war; Annie Stanton, Graham and Fran for running the bar; the wonderful work put in by the Wotton team on the BBQ and the two field owners who valiantly lent their fields and moved the livestock out.There was a free for all Welly Wanging match, while Austin organised a race for the children across the Brook, round a tree on the far-side and back. The children all arrived back unbelievably muddy and wet, some of the small ones were still scrambling up the sides of the opposite bank when they were overtaken by triumphant returning competitors.
Afterwards we had a buffet supper of cold display plus Thai chicken curry in The Plough and Anchor provided by landlord Paul Ring. A lovely end to a great Bank Holiday.