A Shilton Birthday.

Out of all the places i've visited whilst living in England, Shilton is one that feels immediately close to home. Yet, that said, it feels more distinctly English than anywhere i've been as well, as this is a funny thing to reconcile. The cottage is cozy, with stone floors and a fireplace, a garden with a stream running through it, and a pub right across the street which always seems to be filled with locals. This weekend was a dear friend's birthday, and in the 24 hours that we were all in Shilton, we crammed in drinks in the pub, a huge feast for 12 around an old creaky wooden dining room table, dancing and marshmallows roasted over a fire, a walk to a 13th century church, scrabble in the garden, a nap on the lawn under a duvet, a picnic in the ruins of a manor home, and croquet. Not too shabby.

Country Air.

In the past month i've spent lots of time breathing in country air. At the beginning of April it was in Cornwall for ten days, a trip that spoiled me with views of the sea that i've seen a few times now and still completely stun me with their beauty. There's nothing quite like leaving london and hitting the barrier of fresh air that you forget you're missing out on when you're in the city smog for months on end. Your head feels clearer and your clothes smell fresher. This weekend was a jaunt to Kent, a new part of england i hadn't even seen before, and how wonderful it was. It's the kind of place that immediately feels like home with windy roads, fields full of yellowy flowers, bluebells all along the roadside and beautiful old houses. Filling up on clean sunshiney air, now i'm back in london and eager to get back to the country side as soon and as much as possible. Never too soon for a country escape.