Moreton-in-Marsh: a great halt destination if Cotswold is on your travel bucket list.

Moreton-in-Marsh, is a thriving Market Town located at the head of the beautiful Evenlode Valley.

As we arrive at the rail station.

Apart from the fact that it is one of the most connected Cotswold towns, it is also famous for its popular agricultural show called 'Moreton in Marsh Show- The Countryside in a Day' This annual event is held on the first weekend of September every year and boasts an action packed itenary both for the trade buyers and the spectators. To know more on what can be done at this show, click here! As for me, I missed it by exactly one week!

1000 year old town with elegant 17th & 18th century building:

Moreton-in-Marsh is the most quaint habitat I had ever come across in the recent past. I arrived here on a wet and early weekend morning when the town was just about waking up. The stroll around the quiet streets had a nostalgic feeling attached to it. The town is nearly 1000 years old (dates back to the Saxon era) and each of its structures clearly boasted heritage- all lined with elegant 17th and 18th Century buildings.

Railway Station Gaurd Room at Moreton-in-Marsh.

English Country Homes

Iconic Cotswold Limestone Structure- The Old Post Office.

Series of homes yet uniquely different!

Boutique shops and B&B's:

Stark change from the commercial cities, I could finally see boutique shops with most attractive looking display windows. I yearned to lift some of them exactly the way they were back to Mumbai. Sigh! So much for wishful thinking... :)
 

Allium Florists, such a romantic stop!

Spoilt for choices- these sway just outside the florists shop!

A beautiful window that boasts the silhouette of floral decoration a few block down the florists shop.

Bed & Breakfast is a popular choice at Moreton-in-Marsh and evidently so given the proximity of this town to other distant Cotswold attractions. The rail connect is a huge advantage for tourists and thereafter the Towns connectivity via Bus builds on its share as the preferred stay destination.

An inviting B&B that contrasts the earthy tones with a stark blue.

If you are planning your Cotswold trip I highly recommend using Moreton-in-Marsh as one of the central stay halts. If you wondering what you can do at Moreton-in-Marsh, click here and get started on your plans!

And if you were wondering why I landed up at Moreton-in-Marsh, do stop over and read my post- From Kitchen Karma to Bourton-on-Water via Moreton-in-Marsh, the Cotswold countryside!

Next up- Bourton-on-Water.

Until then...

Xoxo
Sensuous2Spiritual

From Kitchen Karma to Bourton-on-Water via Moreton-in-Marsh, the Cotswold countryside

One sultry May afternoon I stumbled upon the vivacious Kitchen Karma's "weekend break" blog post from the English Countryside.
Her narration clearly encapsulated the excitement of her trip and she made her adventure with her 'Girls only' escapade simply irresistible.

Cotswold now was on my most desired bucket-list!

Cotswold on the web:

As Google says: "A rural area of south central England covering parts of 6 counties, notably Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. Its rolling hills and grassland harbour thatched medieval villages, churches and stately homes built of distinctive local yellow limestone. The 102-mile Cotswold Way walking trail follows the Cotswold Edge escarpment from Bath in the south to Chipping Campden in the north." 

Well, how can one resist the enticing feeling of being amidst this magical abode!

Wish come true: Universe grants my deepest desire!

Nursing the desire to explore this personally it almost felt like Universe granted me a wish exactly a year and a half later. I was part of a special assignment at work which required for me to travel to London and spend a work week training with my colleagues in the UK. I managed to squeeze in a couple more days for a quick escapade to my deepest desire- The Cotswold!

Glimpses of UK

Planning my trip to Cotswold: 

My end destination: Burton-on-Water and my mode of transport could be nothing other than train followed by the Pulhams Bus to take me on this adventure. Afterall, feeling the countryside was critical to the overall experience.

Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-Water via Stow-on-the-Wold:

To reach Burton-on-Water I needed to travel to the closest rail station Moreton-in-Marsh, a small quaint English village that had a stunning Railway Station and a cute Bust-stop a few steps away.

My destination station as I continue to explore Cotswold.

Moreton-in-Marsh, makes me want to eat it! :)

The quaint little station after a spell of rain.

This is where I got onto my connecting Bus.

I took the First Great Western Rail to get to my destination while I enjoyed the beautiful sights of Reading and Oxford en-route. The 5th stop from Paddington landed me at Moreton-in-Marsh.

The railways are so similar to the ones in India.

View of the terrains from my train ride.

Somewhere between Reading & Oxford.

A connecting Pulhams Bus reached me to Bourton-on-Water via Stow-on-the-Wold, again another small quaint town with the most stunning winding roads interspersed with ponds and vast green meadows.

On my bus ride, the clouds made me wonder whether I'd have a wet one!

Intersection of the roads lined with luscious greens and contrasting skies!

While I traversed through God's stunning creation I also crossed 2 more little villages Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter which would eventually become part of my unplanned trek on my way back later in that day!

Each of these are little stops need an independent post to give you the experience of this amazing land called Cotswold. Over the next few stay tuned as my English adventure unfolds!

Until then...

Xoxo
Sensuous2Spiritual

  

Farmers' Market came to town!

Its not that often for a Farmers' Market to come to a Suburban locality like mine. And when it does, we don't miss!

Last Sunday was exactly one of those beautiful summer mornings. My Son's school closed for the long summer break and there was no better way than to begin the holidays with the Farmers' Market. Though a hot and humid day, we spent a lot of time enjoying the open air under thatched roofs that saved us from the direct sun and the sweet flavorful fresh sugarcane juice.

The market was flooded with fresh farm produce and household products. There were fashion products woven from natural material and a whole lot of activities with potters, eco-planting kits and fanfare to add to the fun elements of the fair.

Not to mention, the neighborhood added to the festive feel. Lots of chit-chat on cane beds placed under the shade of large Gulmohor trees and make-shift swings added to the rustic festivities.

Here are some captures of this fun day with the family at the Farmers' Market.

We were perfectly timed for breakfast and what better than feast on freshly made sumptuous Indian grub!

Coconut water was available in abundance. The natural thirst quenchers.

Fresh juicy fruits that one just couldn't have missed!

The mouth watering farm fresh vegetables. They always have such a distinct flavor and taste.

The farmers ensured they stock up lentils at the sale...

So the next stop was obvious. It was time for condiment shopping. Fresh tamarind, onion, ginger and garlic all stacked up around the corner.

Farmers market without honey is not a market at all! :)

The grapes were worth its weight!

Beautiful terracotta art being taught by a fine artist.

Some more cooler terracotta indulgences- mishti doi (sweet curd) in a bhadh (clay pot). Unique to the fair and made me want to run back to Kolkatta!

Some greens to encourage the crowd to begin planting a home garden...

The sweetest stall at the fair! The juice was simply the best I have had in years...

The art n craft under the thatched roof!

The little patient hands!

Some home decor ideas...

With so much of action packed in one half of the day we were exhausted and yearning to crash land at home. :)

So we bid adieu to the Farmers' market and its fluttering buntings and wish that there are many more such beautiful experiences packed through our summer break.

Signing off on that fluttering note... :)

Xoxo,
Sensuous2Spiritual

April, the month of prosperity and travel!

Finally the first day of the financial year opens its arms. Many celebrate it as the 'Fools' day but to me it is a day that opens a month full of prosperity (many of us get our bonus pay this month!), fun n frolic!

April is the month when the ripest of Alphonso Mangoes flood the markets. It is a month when the birds twitter around full bloom branches and the month that brings in a lot of travel with the family!

April also brings in the auspicious moment of Akshay Tritiya, a day which is integral for new beginnings in the traditional Indian homes. This year it is being celebrated on 21st April.

With so much to look forward to, here is your copy of the exclusive Sensuous2Spiritual April Calendar.

To download your copy of the April Calendar, please click here.

Wish you a great summer season ahead!

xoxo
Sensuous2Spiritual

Rose wine and crystals!

There is something about Rose-wine and crystals that attract me beyond words.

I can work on the decor aesthetics for hours to get that perfect lure in place before we pour the wine into the crystal ware.

It is quiet a romantic set-up and for someone who loves this wine, it just cant get any better!!!

:) Here are some of my shots in getting the decor just right before I slug on the light and berry flavored liquid from my most precious collection of crystal!

Cheers!!! :)

March; a month full of colors!

March, the sound of this month floods in visions of colors; that of fresh blooms of flowers, buzzing bees, longer days and in a country like that of mine, the much awaited celebration of Holi!

As promised, here is the Sensuous2Spiritual calendar for the month of March for you.

To download your copy of the March calendar, please click here.

Wishing all you folks out there a precious and colorful month ahead!

xoxo
Sensuous2Spiritual