Tuesday the 15th…

We woke early this morning to a full English breakfast (burp again) and many plans. We drove to see Wyke Ryssington, which was so small we couldn’t find anything but the church, and took a stroll around Stow on Wold. Stow was on the side of a steep hill and, though lovely, was still a bit full of touristy traps. Then we set out for an equestrian center where we hired 2 horses and 2 guides (what, did we look that bad?) for a walk through Lower and Upper Slaughter. There are public footpaths and bridal paths everywhere. The English love their walks…if they tell you it’s a few minutes up the road, take 10-15 at least. After 2 hours on horseback we, amazingly, weren’t that stiff or sore. Of course, we never got a canter…unlucky! Upper and Lower Slaughter were so lovely, with their warm golden houses and small stream and fords, and artists hard at work. After riding, we went on an extended driving tour throughout the northern portion of the villages, trying to avoid the bigger well known towns. First, we hit Chipping Camden, one of the first of the towns when coming from the north. Lovely thatched roof homes (many mansions) and a wide “High” street, as usual. More thatch here as the slate was unavailable unless transported from afar. It survived the decline of the wool era because of its devotion to the arts and crafts of each time it lived through. Therefore, the wealthy kept homes here. On the main plaza, a curving High Street, is a covered stone market hall from 1627. In all the old towns, “High street” was big and broad as it was where the markets were held weekly and the merchants needed (still need) room to park their wagons, tents and wares. The other streets barely fit a car, and certainly not buses! On to Broadway and the Broadway tower. The tower was built on a hill overlooking the town in 1799 as a “folly” for the duke’s wife. It was a beacon to signal between two far flung properties they owned. The town itself is a “show town” with wide greens between the sides of the “broad way” through which sheep were once driven. Lots of antiques, fine jewelry and fun stores, not Subway sandwich type of place. We then took the long way back to Bourton on the water through Stanway and Stanton, getting stuck in little “two way” (HA!) streets and backing our way out of private drives.

Nuvi … our Garmin sat nav system has been an absolute necessity and help while we’ve been here. While in Sicily, it was a reason for cursing and was subject to being forcefully ejected from the car at regular intervals. Here, we love, it, we worship it, and would kill in its defense. Whenever we want to find a town, we plug in the town’s name and #1 High Street (there’s always a High St.) and it leads us straight to where the action is. We find “Daniel” to be much more pleasant than “Emily” in giving directions. Mark insists he is accurate more often…hmmm.