Predictably Unpredictable

Off we set with high hopes and expectations.
We had discovered a new place to visit - Nature in Art Gallery and Museum in Gloucestershire. Nature and art - what's not to like?
We turned off the M5
"I didn't look to see if it has a cafe..." announced my fellow traveller.
"It has. I checked" I replied
We passed a turning off to a church dedicated to St Catherine and vowed to visit sometime soon.
Another mile passed.
"I didn't check that it was open on a Monday..."
"That would be so funny..." I responded, "Mind you, it is such a beautiful day I am sure we would find places to visit.
We travelled on in ignorant confidence.
Then, just as we were about to turn off down the lane we noticed the fateful word
"CLOSED"
All the best-laid plans...

"Ah well, we can go and visit that church we passed."

Reversing out on to the main road was not a sensible option, so we continued down the access road. At least we could take a sneaky peak at the exterior, even if the interior was going to have to wait for another day.
The building looked fascinating. We will return on a day when we are free AND the doors are flung wide to welcome us, not firmly closed.




We passed a garden centre, so we popped in to use the facilities as by now it was a good hour or so since we left home. The displays were absolutely immaculate and there was a good selection of cards, so I bought a couple for forthcoming weddings. The thought of avoiding yet more double sided sticky tape was suddenly rather appealing!

We headed back towards the church we had seen signposted earlier.
As we travelled northwards we spied the delightful vista, of a church upon a small hill, with horses in a field in front of it.
"Is that the church?"
"No, it is on the wrong side of the main road."
We visited it anyway.

The building was still beautifully decorated, from a wedding at the end of August, with pastel arrangements of white with pale pink and blue floral highlight.
Sometimes when you open up a church door the place feels like a museum or time capsule. This one, however, felt loved and this was reflected by the fact that during our visit the grounds were being mowed and strimmed.

We were locationally confused, as the signpost had directed us to Priors Norton.
That tower would be perfect for a ring of bells, I thought.
I looked it up on the Dove's Guide' ap on my phone but was not listed.
However, behind the feature glass door and screen, bellropes were clearly visible.
I looked up 'Norton', sure enough it has bells - Norton, Glos, S Mary (GF), 8, 10-3-14!





The lectern took an unusual angelic form. Often Lecterns have been cast aside and replaced with something modern and multipurpose. I would argue the case for using both, but appreciate that if you want to use other books and papers a lectern might not provide the right space or place.














An unusual metal gate/stile that led into the field with horses

We continued our travels, heading for the church we had intended to visit prior to our diversion.
















We drove into the village, following the main priority at the first junction, and round in a complete circle, failing completely to spot the errant church. Finally, we retraced our route, taking the lane we had previously ignored and there it was, complete with workmen outside who appeared to be doing something serious to the power supply to an uncertain number of properties.






Notable items inside Leigh church included a scrapbook of photos, taken when the village was flooded by the Severn, and a model of a spitfire.












By now it was lunchtime, and we needed sustenance.
"Let's head into Bishop's Cleeve. It appears to be one massive executive housing estate, but  I have a vague memory of a small village centre somewhere by the church."
Famous last words.
Those who install signposts obviously think that anyone who wants to go into the centre of Bishop's Cleeve MUST know the way, as they direct you to the edge of the village and then abandon you!

We did finally find the small village centre and a very acceptable tearoom.

Afterwards, we retraced our route to the intriguing looking church at Tredington, with a wood-clad steeple.
"We have visited the church at Tredington before!" my fellow traveller announced.
"That was Tredington, Warwickshire." I pointed out.
"Where is this then?"
"Tredington, Gloucestershire!"

Outside the church, a sign on the noticeboard exhorted us to use the car park, but there was no car park in sight and no directions given.
We parked on the side of the road, and got out of the way as best we could.

Inside the church, the ancient beams supporting the Tudor tower are clearly visible.
I so want to return to ring the bells at these churches, as this is a part of Gloucestershire I have not really visited on ringing expeditions.




A woman and her daughter appeared in the church, bearing a large container of blackberries.
We chatted briefly about the church, and then my fellow traveller asked the important question.
"Where is the car park? We saw the sign on the noticeboard, but we had no idea where it was."
"Oh further down the road, by the village hall." the woman replied.
"It doesn't say..." 
Maybe they don't get many visitors on a Sunday.

Next stop was Tewkesbury, which was full of fractious children and parents longing for school to restart. There are a worrying number of empty shops and a good proportion of the independent traders were closed as it was Monday. However, I did make a few small purchases from one of the charity shops, with which I was rather pleased.

Our trip did not begin as we had planned, and this trend continued through the day - a Monday that became predictably unpredictable.