chase the light

I’m going to let Mom take the next two as she wrote up the days quite nicely… and I’m feeling really far behind on this whole thing.

“After a good night’s sleep, headed out to explore more Cotswold villages. The weather is cooperating as it is clear and sunny, however, COLD! Emily was once again a wonderful traveling buddy and got us to where we wanted with ease. The only thing she doesn’t do is find us a parking spot upon arrival. The villages we visited today were all within 2-5 miles along stretches of rolling hills, stone houses, steeples and Sheep. Did get our pics of sheep today! Our first villages were Lower and Upper Slaughter- truly just lil stone houses, a couple of locals walking a dog and NO stores-true Cotswold suburbia. Quiet lil place although we did speak with one gentleman sweeping the porch of the town-hall who gave us a briefing on the care/repair of the cottages which was quite interesting. Once again we crossed the River Windrush which meanders through town and flows through a Victorian flour mill.

On to our next stop – Burford. Enjoyed a traditional English breakfast of: egg, bacon, sausage, hash-browns, beans, mushrooms, tomato and toast. The Priory was a cute lil restaurant with two small fireplaces with Christmas trees and crackers strewn underneath each. Oh, cute! Lots of stores with lil time, so on our way to Rollright Stones, twisted forms of weathered stones forming a circle that dates back to 2500BC. We took pics of the circle named King’s Men. I find it hard to visualize 2500 BC. Every time we stop we see OLD things!

Back on the road to our next destination Broadway. A lovely lil village that is said to have been an inspiration to writers and artists, one being William Morris. The main street is lined with red chestnut trees, shops and what else but honey-colored stone houses!!! A smattering of medieval, Tudor and Georgian architecture is evident as well. First time we saw that. Nearby, the Broadway Tower sits atop a hill and it is said that it offers views of over 13 counties. Its Gothic profile stands alone on the hill and the tower was a country retreat used by William Morris. We hoped to get inside however, it was closed. It houses an exhibition inside which details his connections with the Cotswolds. New information!!!! We at least got some pics of several deer enjoying the pastural setting.

Back on the road to Chipping Campden. This lil village includes still standing buildings dating from between the 14th and 17th centuries. Here we saw the first thatched rooftops looking nothing like the summer pics one sees. They looked like – winter with just a chicken wire type of material on top of ????. Must look this up to see just how they are made! The downtown area had a stone market place where one could visualize the vendors and shoppers hundreds of years ago. The outstanding feature was a magnificent church built at the height of the wool trade in the 15th century. Most of the head stones that surround the church are unreadable and some covered with lichen and moss. The setting surrounding the church presented beautiful pastures with – guess what – SHEEP. Our second photo op for sheep today. Earlier in the day, we found a place to stop alongside the road so I could snap a pic of these critters that have played such an important role in this lovely place. Another very and extraordinary building still standing majestically – quite unbelievable. What builders these folks were!

Getting dark, time to head back. Stopped at Bourton-on-the-Water for dinner. Chris introduced me to Chicken Tikka with curry. Hmmm, I’ve never been a curry lover, but I’m on vacation, so why not try it! It was actually very good! Came with rice, ……..bread. Quite tasty! Another day in the Cotswolds – beautiful countryside and honey stone houses! Will say good-bye to this lovely piece of England tomorrow.”

There ya go, guest blogger Mom.