Artique, Tetbury. A small piece of India in the Cotswold Hills.

In boxes on the kitchen walls, small people engaged in conversations, a wealth of stories frozen in time.

Away from home, at the end of a working day, sometimes I flounder. I work hard in schools and try my best to give across something to the children that they will remember, so, at the end of the day, it is good to have somewhere to relax. I am a ‘home bird’ at heart, but in Tetbury, at Artique, I found a home from home, a place that from the first moment that I walked in, made by heart sing. What a place for dreaming Talboy’s House is. So, I would like to say a very big thank you to Hereward Corbett from The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop in Tetbury ( and Nailsworth) for booking me in to the most beautiful place I have stayed in. I do so look forward to going back.

And below the India Suite, a shop. And in the shop window, a tiger.

The interior, just stepping through the doorway. Across the wood above the Buddha it says 'perchance to dream'. Indeed.

The same shot as above but without the flash. Dark, but magical and atmospheric.

One of the backrooms that still has so many things I wish I had bought.

The window for Christmas with a beautiful tiger.

Window from outside with tiger breathe steaming the window

Tiger looking in the mirror

For those who are curious the tiger came originally from Libertys where she was used in a window display, via an antique shop. At one time she would growl. Perhaps that is what she is looking for in the mirror, her lost growl.

Inside the shop there were textiles, saris, silk, braiding, metalwork and rugs and beautiful furniture, small bells and glass, treasure and lapis and stories and singing bowls.