May 23, 2018
Today was all about gardens and greenery. Our driver/guide Simon, is a lifetime resident of the Cotswolds. He knew every backroad and insightful information on each town, vista, folly, stately home, and hedge. Speaking of hedges, did you know that there is such a thing as a hedge laying competition. Farmers plant their hedges and it involves splicing and tying the branches so that the plants intertwine to form an impenetrable barrier. Prince Charles is a keen competitor and the Queen has even attended these hedge laying competitions to support the Prince of Wales’s hedges. Who knew?
Not on our itinerary, but the best part of the day, was a side trip to the Hidcote Gardens. I thought of each of my garden friends (you know who you are) as we toured the extensive, creative, and diverse gardens. We could have easily spent all day. Neither of us is a serious gardener, but after seeing it done right, we can understand the appeal. We took a million pictures, none of which do any of the gardens justice. We were too early for the peonies (although a precious few in the walled gardens had bloomed.) We guessed at many of the plants and flowers and were completely enchanted. It was Frances
We toured back roads, tiny ancient towns, and medieval, Norman, and Tudor churches. No assassinations today. We did stumble into an amazing chamber orchestra practice. There is an arts festival being held in Chipping Camden. The chamber orchestra was practicing in the church. We were not allowed to take photos, but it was well worth it to be in there while they practiced. There is nothing like glorious music played in an ancient church. What a surprise and a treat.
We had lunch in Broadway and I made a desperate tour of the local art galleries looking for a “souvenir.” I did not find anything but we made a new friend. Evans Clements has never met a stranger.
In addition to hedgerows, flowers, ancient stone walls, and breathtaking vistas, we also saw animals. Sheep are everywhere, but some lambs are big show offs. Evans saw some short horned Scottish cattle, and there is one particular field where a red deer stays with the sheep. The farmer even leaves one or two sheep in the field with him at all times so he won’t get lonely. I know about sheep dogs, but this is my first sheep deer.
We had dinner at The Bell, a family owned pub and restaurant in Stow-on-the-Wold. During dinner, we saw the couple from Australia come in. The gentleman, Tim, came over to us to graciously warn us that his wife, Mariette, would not remember us from the night before. He did a beautiful job reminding her who we were and smoothing the reintroductions. We very much enjoyed visiting with them again. What a strong, gentle, lovely man he is.
Tomorrow we head to Oxford, if we can get our bags down the stairs.