& #WhatsBeenOnYourCalendar
Dear friends. I've had a busy and colourful June. The weather finally came good: it was hotter in the UK than in many other European countries. Let's find out what's been occurring.
Exploring!
In spite of it being an ebike, I still get a good workout, particularly if I can keep up with J in Eco mode! My range is around 80 miles per charge.
Two easy (ish) rides are to the Olympic Park (below) and the Lee Valley Country Park, which is also home to the Olympic White Water Rafting Centre. Both are great places for a coffee and rest.
Three Gardens in the Cotswolds
I went to Oxford by train to join a MeetUp group on a perfect day for a tour of three private gardens. We drove through the picture-perfect golden brick villages of the Cotswolds. First up was Sezincote, a fantasy-renaissance style garden with elements of Hindu style.
The second garden was Bourton House Garden, a 1700s estate noted for its eclectic topiaries and unique, colourful plantings. This was our lunch spot.
Finally we went to Chivel Farm, a beautifully designed country garden with extensive views of the Cotswold countryside. The owners showed us around, and served delicious cakes. This was my favourite garden because I love the English cottage garden look.
The Monument and London Mithraeum
I did an interesting walk in the City of London with MeetUp that took us up the 311 steps of The Monument. The Monument was built between 1671 and 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London and to celebrate the rebuilding of the city. Alas, the sun came out about an hour after we'd left, so it was a cloudy view of London.
We then explored the Roman Mithraeum that was discovered in Walbrook, a street in the City of London, during a building's construction in 1954.
At the end, I went past the Tower of London to see how the wild flowers in the moat were looking.
Bushey to Rickmansworth
My final walk in June with MeetUp was on one of the hottest days of the month. It was a delightful walk from Bushey in Herts to Rickmansworth, below.
Swan Family
Back in Epping Forest, my regular haunt for walks, there's a lovely family of swans with seven cygnets. The proud male hisses at any dogs that get too close.
Colourful Ladies Alert
There was a gathering in Morden Park Hall of the "Colourful Croydon Coffee Club." We're an offshoot of the Kettlewell Colour Club.
Our 13th Wedding Anniversary
As is our tradition, we celebrated at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. We took the anniversary gift home with us to eat on another day.
I Met Lisa Eldridge!
Regular readers will know that I am very keen on the luxurious makeup range of famous MUA Lisa Eldridge. I'm also very keen on the gorgeous gemstone jewellery she sells, but it's a little out of the price range.
Lisa has just launched her first concession within Selfridges. I went to one of three events where she gave a talk and then met each of us and recommended the best lipstick. I was a hard one to choose for because I already have nine. You can see me in my fan girl moment with Lisa, at the top of the post.
I went with the lovely Annemarie from My Over 50s Fashion Life on YouTube.
That was my June! As you read this I am enjoying myself in Greece and will tell you about our holiday when I'm back.
I'm joining bloggers from the southern hemisphere for the What's Been on Your Calendar link-up (#WBOYC).
Sharing this post with #AnythingGoes at My Random Musings, Rena at Fine Whatever, Talent Sharing Tuesdays at Scribbling Boomer, #SpreadTheKindness at Shelbee on the Edge, #Neverendingstyle at The Grey Brunette, Final Friday at Marsha in the Middle, #FridayCoffeeShare at Natalie the Explorer, Senior Salon Pitstop at Esme Salon
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