Earlier this year, SoGlos teamed up with The Old Stocks Inn, one of the Cotswolds' top hotels and restaurants, to find a pair whose passion for food and drink would win them overnight stays and invitations to special events at the venue.
We can now reveal that the lucky winners are Jess and Kirsty, a Gloucestershire couple married for almost seven years and parents to two-year-old Nora. Find out more about 'The Old Stocks Couple' in our exclusive interview.
Hi Jess and Kirsty! What made you enter the competition to be The Old Stocks’ couple?
We already follow The Old Stocks Inn on Instagram as we’ve visited before when we’ve been in Stow and it was on our list of places to try. We absolutely loved it. So, when we saw the competition, we didn’t hesitate to enter. To be honest, we didn’t think ever think we’d be chosen. We’re over the moon!
How long have you known each other and how did you meet?
We’ve known each other for about eight-and-a-half years now and have been married for seven.
We met at work when we were both working for the NHS in Gloucestershire. We became best friends and the rest followed! We have a beautiful two-year-old daughter, called Nora.
Are you from around here originally? If not, what brought you to the area and how long have you lived / worked here?
Neither of us have lived in Gloucestershire our whole lives. Jess came with her mum and siblings more than 20-years-ago when she was a teenager, to be close to their wider family, and has been here ever since. Kirsty has also been in Gloucestershire now for over 14 years, after taking a job in Cheltenham.
We both love how diverse Gloucestershire is and just how pretty the Cotswolds is. We do feel lucky to live in such a beautiful county.
What are you most looking forward to as part of your prize?
Probably the overnight stays and having some quality time together, a nice comfy bed and not having to wake up too early. We’re looking forward to relaxing and enjoying the food and drink on offer.
What other local foodie destinations do you rate?
The Coconut Tree in Cheltenham, as Sri Lankan cuisine is one of our favourites and we love the relaxed vibe in there.
We’re also fans of Cafe Vino in Tewkesbury for wine tasting and pairing evenings, and The Manor House in Moreton-in-Marsh; it’s where we got married, so will always be special to us.
What’s your favourite meal of the day and why?
It has to be the evening meal, especially at the weekend, when we often have a treat and a glass of wine.
Evenings tend to be the time when we can relax and enjoy a meal together. We do also enjoy going for breakfast/brunch as a family of three.
What about your favourite drink?
We
both enjoy a nice glass of wine that complements your meal. Kirsty is also very
partial to a Negroni and Jess loves an Aperol Spritz, or something gin
based.
How do you like to spend your downtime?
Our favourite thing is spending time with our daughter and exploring new places; we are quite an outdoorsy family. We like trying new experiences together and making memories.
We also really enjoy time together as a couple. We feel it’s really important to have a good balance and have time just the two of us when we can.
We recently spent the day at Cotswold Water Park and did their inflatable obstacle course, it was the perfect day out!
Do you use social media to find out about new places to go in the area? If so, what have been your best discoveries?
When looking for things to do and places to go, we always look to social media, particularly Instagram.
We like to see pictures of what to expect before we go somewhere, particularly if we are taking our daughter.
If we’re going out as a couple, we are much more spontaneous and we – but Jess in particular – like to be the first to try new places and visit the day or week they open, if we can.
What sort of
posts do you share on social media and how can people find you?
We tend to share a mixture of things. It's mostly places we’ve been to as a couple (restaurants, hotels, cafés and attractions), as well as suggestions for things families can do together.
We also share some content about our daughter and our family life. Our Instagram handle is @the_abel_adventures.
