Our trip to the Malvern Hills now seems like a lifetime ago. Today as I sit at home and look outside the window it just feels wierd. There is a stillness that does not seem right. There is an ominous sense of danger lurking around. Fear is in the air. In these times putting my mind to happier thoughts helps. So I am sharing some very happy times that we experienced in the Malvern Hills about two and half years ago.
A short trip of just under two weeks to the gorgeous Malvern Hills can only but give you a glimpse of this beautiful part of the planet. It is a bounty of natural beauty and there is a lot to take in. And honestly as I consumed the scenery, I just didn’t feel satiated. Every time the sun shone, each sunset, every droplet of water on the petals and the leaves, the colour of the sky, the fluffy clouds, the rustling forests, the fruit trees…. filled me with wonder and joy.
I had recently discovered my Zen power moment and here I had several opportunities to experience that. The feel of the soft, cool breeze against my skin. It truly brings me to life — exhilarating. Every time I think about it or talk about it or write about it, I get that tingling feeling of aliveness. I truly feel alive and happy and joyous. And I am reminded that love is the only truth.
Our base for this trip was this fabulous two-bedroom cottage just outside the town of Welland. Jacqui and family were the perfect hosts. Very warm, welcoming, helpful. Always there but never intrusive, even though the main house was next door. The ambiance and décor of our cottage was luxurious, and we had a private garden. As often as possible we ate out in the garden, either on the bench or on the grass. G loves picnics and these were the easiest to make happen here. The balcony with the main bedroom on the upper level was used many a times to have wine and cheese.
As there was a second bedroom, we were able to have two of our closest friends come and stay for a few days. That made our trip even more special. A friend from my days at Brunel visited with his family & spent a day with us. All the more special since we met after about twenty eight years.
Honesty Shop, Malvern Hills
There were many moments of discovery. Many chats with locals that gave us an insight into the people of the area. And to our delight we experienced their warmth and gracious hospitality. Every person we met at the Evendine Spring was helpful. We would go to the Spring every alternate day to tank up on the freshest drinking water possible. It was such a thrill to get our drinking water from a Spring in the wall in the
middle of the local woods.
A most exciting discovery for us was a honesty shop on one of the little roads to the spring. Few, obviously homemade, products were displayed on a shelf. Prices were clearly written. One could simply pick what he wanted and drop the money in a box. Vow, so much trust. We were awestruck.
I had the slowest meal of my life at a place called the Moody Cow, just outside Ross-on-Wye. And I was awestruck when the owner, Chris, on his knees with elbows resting on the table, asked me “What can we cook for you today?” as opposed to “What would you like to order from the menu?”. And David at the Inn at Welland dazed me by recognising my voice when I called in to book Sunday lunch. Only my second visit to this awesome eatery. Most definitely my Indian accent would have helped.
We managed many a walk at and around the British Camp Hill Fort. And discovered the best coffee of this trip in Malvern town itself at Mac & Jac’s cafe. The owner proudly told us about how he has been sourcing coffee from this one farm in South America for many years. That is what made his coffee so special.
Our short and strictly timed walk in The Knapp & Papermill Nature Reserve gave us a deep connection with the local natural landscape. We grabbed many a moment to connect with nature.
Whilst driving to Bourton-on-the-water we were going through a little wooded area. We just pulled over, opened our windows, and listened to the rustle of the trees. The wind was blowing gently but yet energetically. The sounds the woods made were soothing. We would have sat there at least twenty minutes
Not far from the woods we came across the gate of a property known as South Lodge. The gates were wide open. There was a beautiful cottage right at the entrance. Perhaps the gatesmans’ cottage in times gone by. And all we could see was a road turning to the left and vanishing. We parked near there, tempted to drive in, but scared to go ahead as it was a private home. Finally, I gathered up the courage and drove in and up to the main house. It was like a mini palace. A stone house set in the midst of some gorgeous gardens. A dream home for me. Someday I would like to stay in a house like that. Nobody came to enquire what we were doing there, but our own guilt meant that we barely stopped to admire the house, then turned around and drove out. Our hearts beating. Nervous as hell.
We walked for a bit in Upper Slaughter and took time to pray at St Peter’s Church there. Bourton-on-the-Water is a quintessential Cotswold town. We stopped for a meal there sitting by the main river running through the town. The highlight for us was to see this young couple walking in the river, very much in love and having a fun time.
Many a meal were tried in the local pubs. There is such a change in the way pub food has evolved. Almost every pub we went to had gourmet food. Gone are the ready packed meals warmed in the microwave. The Mount Inn, Stanton. The Jockey Inn, Baughton. The Swan Inn, Newland. The Swan Inn, Hanley Swan. The favourites I mentioned earlier — The Moody Cow, Ross-on-Wye & The Welland Inn, Welland. I have to mention the giant fish and chips we were served at The Swan Inn, Newland. I did not know where to begin.
High Teas are very special for us. The full High Tea experience was had at Tewkesbury Park and at The Cottage in the Wood. Truly fabulous. At The Kettle Sings Tearoom we got some scrumptious scones and clotted cream.
Cotswold Lavender fields & Stratford Upon Avon were also part of one day trip for us. Some afternoons were spent exploring Ledbury and Upton-upon-Severn. Gosh we did manage to explore a lot and yet we also got in a lot of rest and relaxation.
All said and done the highlight of the trip was the wonderful cooking by G. She took the simplest of ingredients and churned out some amazing meals. Asparagus, peas pulao, amazing fruits, simple pastas. Truly there is magic in her hands. And my take back from this wonderful trip will primarily be the time spent with her.
Written By Mohit Gupta
Week 14, March ’20
