Gloucestershire House-sitting

We have been house-sitting for ten days and a good time was had by both of us. Our friends wanted to go to India over the post-Christmas and New Year period. They asked us to move in to look after their three Jack Russell terriers, three ponies and about thirty chickens. Their house is at the bottom of a very narrow and steep valley on the edge of the village of Horsley, a few miles south of Stroud.

The caring duties were split between us. B looked after the ponies and the chickens as she owns a horse and she has talked about owning a few chickens. I got the terriers, Daisy (the matriarch), Piggle and Lula, both young dogs. These two followed me around the house all day long, which was nice but a little disconcerting, for example, I would forget to close the bathroom door firmly and sitting on the toilet I would have an audience.

The house is located within easy driving of a number of attractions and sites for us to visit.

Tewkesbury. A very fine Norman Abbey, one of the loveliest I've been in.

Several medieval and Georgian buildings

I know that nearby, there was a large War of the Roses battle and the battlefield is very accessible but it was very cold and wet and muddy so we did not walk that way.

Slimbridge Wetland Centre, run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.

The view from the Obs Tower

A good day out, lots of different and unusual swans, geese and ducks, such as the smew.

Other day trips included Bath and Cheltenham - I shall sort out some photos for those trips.