This week saw me venture into the western English heartlands - Gloucestershire. I was to finally meet some extended family on my dad's side who I came to hear of from my Great Uncle, Sid, and it was arranged through a few sporadic phone calls that I would stay with my distant cousin Sue and her family within the small village of Upton St. Leonards.
Sue and her husband, Nigel, were so welcoming considering I was this strange young man from a distant land that they had only read about in books, and my four days within their care was such a special glimpse into the life of 'Little Britain'.
Thatched Roof
This village I was seeing was like no other town I had seen. It felt as though it was another time zone with the Old English architecture and thatched-roofed homes, blowing a constant display of silvery smoke from their brick-based chimneys. I found myself humming the theme song to 'Heartbeat' as I was enevoloped by the scenery. Shetland ponies and horses grazed unending pastures and vegetable alotments were observed at every turn.
The flaming orange of the autumn leaves and the darkening wood of their host gave life to the cool green of the distant hills. As we walked the inner, outer and even greater roads of Upton St. Leonards for more than two hours one afternoon, I discovered Nigel's talent for recalling the elements of the village life history and other interesting pieces of information including how Liz Hurley's farm was situated nearby and how his mate Terry managed to 'build this house here with his own bare hands' - which I thought was an impressive achievement!
Another interesting fact to be pointed out was that the owner of the Kraft food company lived in this village and being an Australian and a lover of all things Vegemite, I captured this piece of gold on film.
Mr. Kraft's House
But looking beyond the 'fame' of the village inhabitants and the inconceivable greenery that lavished itself on my eyes, I was most blown away by the fact that Nigel could walk past each of the village residence and comment aloud to the effect of
'Oh, there's Tony reading the paper at his breakfast table. He'll do that all day, he will!'.
And the frequent verbal melody of
'Good Morning, You alright then?' to each passerby, addressing the individual on a first name basis, but never stopping long enough to have a proper chat.
This neighbourhood familiarity was something I found remarkable and came to learn how normal it was to the people of Upton St. Leonards.
Little Cottage
Chatting with Sue provided an even deeper scope into village life and how her and her best friend, Rose, have been apart of each other's daily lives for over thirty years! Both Sue and Rose are avid Skittles players and I was able to witness a Tuesday night match of brutality and force as these middle-aged women hammered down the line these rusted metallic bowling bowls in the hope of obliterated the 9 wooden pins at the opposite end. It was loud but good fun to watch and proved a good excuse for friends to meet and gossip about the previous week.
This sort of lifelong comradery was a common theme here and I soon came to understand that no-one really appears to leave Gloucestershire if born and raised here.
The men, including Nigel, meet religiously every single night for several pints and games of pool at their local club next to the grand old sandstone church, and my first night's stay saw that I got to experience this ritual first hand. It was this night at the club, to all of Gloucester's disbelief, I had to disclose my lack of taste appreciation for beer or ale. However, Nigel's generosity insisted I was well taken care of in regards to other drink alternatives (I have never drunk so much diet pepsi in one night) and the warmth and acceptance I received from the club made my first night really welcoming. After a few pints, the banter between these good mates had a habit of escalating, peaking until someone went too far with the joke and then subsided again with a chorus of laughter once more. This pattern of verbal cross-fire would continue for hours until 'Last Drinks' was called around 11:30pm by Jackie from behind the bar.
The mood was always light-hearted but as Nigel disclosed to me in his under-the-influence state walking home that night, each man knew the life trials and victories of the other and would clearly give up their own most treasured possession (probably beer!) to help their mate.
Gloucester Cathedral
Other highlights of the trip was the visit into town to see the Gloucester Cathedral where many kings and queens and valiant knights were laid to rest. Another personal touch for me was to discover Gloucester's connection to the author Beatrix Potter. Her complete works edition was given to me by mum when I was young and seeing her gift shop reawakened my remembrance of the joy of reading her tales and how I used to imagine I was actually Benjamin Bunny - but a little less mischievous!
Since visiting the shire, I have also developed a new found addiction to add to my many others - Carvery buffets! These consist of all-you-can-eat roast turkey, gammon and beef as well as over a dozen different vegetable dishes including sweet potato mash, creamed cauliflower, roast onion and potatoes, carrots, beans and peas and with the option of every gravy imaginable or the more fancy cranberry, apple, mint, wine and cream sauces. And the best part, it only cost 5 pounds or as they say it here, 'a Fiver'.
Eat up, I say!
The First Serving
Like the food, the people here were extremely warm and homely and my breakaway from the high expectations and striving atmosphere of London was something that was needed as an outlet to re-fuel and re-collect myself.
Sue and Nigel have insisted I come back next year just in time for the 'Rolling of the Cheese' festival.
So I told them my love for cheese and curiousity as to what 'Rolling' might entail, may just make that possible!
