Harry Potter's Place and Slimbridge Wild Fowl Preserve

Lacock, Wiltshire, once a thriving medieval town on the southern end of the Cotswolds, gave us the feeling of living in the Middle Ages, with the exception of the cars parked on the street.  A minor detail.  This town is exceptional and should not be missed by anyone thinking about coming to England.

 

This village began its life during Saxon times where Norman lords ruled this center for wool trade.

 

 

On the left is the Lacock bus stop and down the little alley are little shops, including an authentic millenary where the owner makes fabulous hats.  Too bad there's nowhere to wear them in Scottsdale.  I loved them all.

 

Lacock Millenary shop.  The weather was cool enough for us to layer up with sweaters and jackets.

 

Our stop at the Red Lion for lunch in Lacock was one of the best lunches so far.  This delectable sandwich of brie, bacon, cranberries, and mixed greens made us wonder why we were so apprehensive about English cuisine.   The raised eyebrow is a sign that Dan is either happy or suspicious.   I think he's happy here.

Besides being a beautiful town, Lacock is also the sight of where some wonderful films were made such as Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Moll Flanders.  In addition, Lacock abbey, is the site where the first  Harry Potter movie was made. 

 

 

 

Entrance to Abbey

Lacock Abbey was founded in 1232 by the Countess of Salisbury, Ela.  When the monasteries were destroyed during the reformation, the abbey was turned into a country house.   And in 2001, a movie set.

 

Leading to the abbey-really cool stairway.

 

 

 

Hallway in the abbey.   I must watch the Harry Potter movie to see if I recognize the places we saw.

 

A classroom in Harry Potter?

 

 

 

 

Outside the Abbey, it's clouding up, but never rained.

 

The Garden outside the abbey is much prettier that photos can convey.

 

Can you find two bees in this photo?

 

Gazillions of walls like this all over England

 

Goodbye to the Abbey

 

Slimbridge Wild Fowl Refuge

When we made the decision to visit the Slimbridge Wildfowl Refuge along the Severn River near Glouscestershire, we thought we were going to see lots of birds, but we were unprepared for what we actually did see.

Slimbridge, created by naturalist Peter Scott in the 1940's is a refuge for the world's largest collection of swans, geese, and ducks and a home to rare birds and threatened species of birds from all over the world.   We didn't know this when we arrived late in the day about an hour and a half before closing.  

After paying for admission, Dan and I crossed a bridge that led us to a pond that I can only describe as Swan Lake.    I was aghast to see dozens of swans of different breeds all swimming around together in this pond.   I wondered how there could be so many in one place.  Apparently, Slimbridge is kind of like a nursing home for old swans as well as a home to those who haven't found their life mates.

Black Swans and White Swans

 

Getting up close and personal with the birds was something I did not expect, as many have habituated to humans visiting this refuge.    I would sit on the side of the pond and shoot pictures of all kinds while these water fowl gazed back at me.   Since it was getting close to closing time, Dan and I pretty much had the place to ourselves.   

The pond was just the beginning of our walk through Slimbridge.   After admiring the swans for several minutes, we moved through the footpath through bridges and waterways to view dozens of other species of birds.   Even Dan seemed to be impressed at the colorful and unusual varieties of birds.

  I will have to find out the name of this one.  He was gorgeous.

Rare Nene geese-a mom and her almost grown goslings. 

 

As we walked along the footpath, I became more and more dazzled by the amazing variety of birds, and even more by the fact that we could get so close to them.   

Taken about two feet away.

 

I know this guy has to be rare.

I was photographing a very unusual bird who had just decided to come out and do a photo session.   She seemed to be searching for something  on the ground or else she was trying to impress me with her cuteness.  That wasn't very hard to do.

While I was squatting on the ground taking photos of her, Dan said, "Susan, there's a duck standing right behind you.  Be careful when you get up."    I turned my head and looked behind me and sure enough,  there was a duck so close, I would have stepped on her if Dan had not warned me. 

      

Looking for something?

 

Putting her bill right up to the camera.

She was not the prettiest bird in the place and had a bald spot on her head.   I was surrounded by so many other gorgeous birds, that I kind of ignored her as I got up carefully and Dan and I continued down the footpath along the lake to see what other magnificent water fowl we might discover.

 

As we turned the corner to a wide spot in the lake, we saw a beautiful duck swimming with her ducklings.  How beautiful they were!   Just as I was crouching down shooting photos of them, Dan told me to turn around and look behind me.   Turning my head, I found that the duck with the bald spot had followed me and was again right behind me on the bench.

 

Photographing these beautiful birds, I looked behind me to see my stalker.

 

That's odd, I thought.  Why is this bird following me?  I don't have food for her, doesn't she know.  

Dan thinks it's really weird that I started talking to this duck and asking her why she was following me.  I felt a little flattered thinking, she really likes me and that's why she keeps following me.   I didn't know the truth, but did know we had to get going because closing time was near.

 

I said goodbye to my bald duck friend and carried on toward the exit of this particular section.   After walking a good bit, I turned around and saw the following:

 

So I stopped for a moment.

 

 

 

And here she was again. 

Sadly, I had to leave my little bald friend behind.

 

 

 

Dan and I had to get going.  It was time to find our B & B, The Crown Inn, and Slimbridge was getting ready to close.   The truth is that my little bald friend probably thought I had some food hidden away from her and that if she was persistent enough, she would get a treat.   But, I still like to think that she really liked me.

Stroud

Between Stroud and Cirencester on the southern end of the Cotswolds ( more about this later), lies a secluded B & B called The Crown Inn.   This was a magnificent place to stay, not only because the food was great, the accommodations were good, but also because of the dramatic scenery close by.  We don't know for sure, but think they are rape seed fields.  

After dinner, Dan and I took a walk down the road.

 

 

 

 

 

End of the day.  Time to go back to our B & B.