Cotswolds and Oxford

Travelled to Oxford by train (two hours), picked up a car and then on to Blenheim Palace. This was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and owned and lived in by the Duke of Marlborough.

Oxford to Stretton on Fosse
We discovered that the word 'fosse' means 'Old Roman Road'. Stretton a village is right in the middle of the Cotswolds. Dinner at the village pub and a walk home through the village, without any street lights, to a big warm bed.

Our first stop for the day, Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare's birthplace and death place. Stratford was a very strange experience. In the main street there was Mop Fair in the form of Side Show Alley at the Ekka. Trivial question for you all - What is a Mop Fair?

Tea in the Swan Inn and then off to Ann Hathaway's cottage and we discovered the origin of the words and phrases: 'turn the tables', 'the board' and 'chairman of the board'. All from the same 'object'. Second trivial question for you all - What is a 'board'?

We then drove on through the hedge divided fields on narrow country roads to Hidcote Manor Garden considered one of England's great gardens. Very delightful and inspiring. I have now developed plans to establish some of the ideas at Everton Park, room permitting.

Back to Stretton on Fosse and dinner at the village pub for a second night.

After our second full English breakfast we left Stretton-on-Fosse for Stow-on-the-Wold and the Farmer's Market. Beautiful local produce including Brie, venison, bread, fruit & vedge. We walked around for about an hour and then we moved onto Lower Slaughter. After morning tea we walked to Upper Slaughter and back across several fields. The local community, like many at this time, were celebrating the 'harvest' at St Peters, the local church. Experiencing Upper and Lower Slaughter was perhaps the highlight of the Cotswolds.

Bourton-on-the-Water was the next Cotswold experience and afternoon tea. A very beautiful and old village with a 'perfumery' and interesting antique shops.

The B&B for the night was at Shipton-under-Wychwood and dinner at a seven-hundred year old pub, The Shaven Crown. Unbelievable!

Shipton-under-Wychwood to Oxford with a stop at Witney, a small town just outside Oxford. More of a Georgian town and with a market square.

The Royal Oxford Hotel was our stay for the night after exploring this city of university colleges. We had a walk through Trinity College and looked at the other twenty or so. The history of learning in this place is incredible. I kept hearing Neal Nuske behind me delivering philosophical meanings of creation.

The Covered Markets was an interesting place with fresh produce, meats and cafes. Lots of cakes and baguettes filled with healthy bits. Difficult to find 'grease' food except for the occasional chips and McDonalds.