Respite and recharge. I slept nearly 10 hours last night. Yikes! But, did it feel great. I probably would’ve even slept a bit longer had it not been for activity in the cottage. I’m staying in a guest suite attached to the main house. My host’s husband is ill (I didn’t press for more info) and she told me that the occasional nurse may be in and out. So, around mid-morning, I heard a lady with a thick European accent walking up and down the steps.
There was no agenda today, no set itinerary, so I took my sweet time (including watching a bit of the latest season of Father Brown…sort of surreal to watch it in the village where it was filmed!).
Since I’d walked the entire village of Blockley last night, I debated whether or not to walk to the next village, Chipping Camden. What a stupid idea since I could take the bus. Plus, pretty sure I’ve walked enough in the last week!
I honestly didn’t know anything about Chipping Camden at all except it had a cool name. Turns out, it’s a historic market town in the Cotswold that dates back to the 14th century! You may notice that all of the buildings in this area all have the same honey colored Cotswold limestone. My new friend, Roger, told us all yesterday that honey-colored Jurassic limestones has been quarried and used as building stone for millenia. Since medieval times, Cotswolds merchants became weathly in the wool trade for which this region was famous. This wealth built the quintessentially English stone villages in the Cotswolds. There are probably more sheep here than cattle.
Today’s been an easy day, so I don’t feel guilty for kicking back right now with the cottage windows open, listening to the bells as Ashley (Roger’s wife) and the ringers practice at St. Peter’s and Paul’s. Here’s a snapshot:
- BBC iPlayer – Not available in America, my tv here at the BnB has all the streaming services including the illusive iPlayer which means I can FINALLY watch the latest episodes of BBC shows that we’re still waiting to be released in the US! Sorry, Mom.
- Cotswold Coaches – Thank goodness for buses in this part of the country or I’d really be stranded. Up until yesterday, transportation hadn’t even been an issue. Then, once I hit the Cotswolds, my journey was nearly upended. Hot tip: rely on technology to help you navigate wherever you are! I’d be literally lost without Google Maps and Road2Rio on this trip!
- Chipping Camden – I had no idea what to expect and hadn’t really researched this town at all, so everything here was a pleasant surprise. Finally, after being in this country for over a week, I had my first proper afternoon tea service at Bantam. My server brought out the first tray of just drinks: Prosecco, tea, cream & water. Then, a tray of food: ham & brie sandwiches, fruit scone, Bakewell tart, salad, clotted cream & jam. I just sat there, listening to the Ted Lasso Post-Show Recap Podcast enjoying the patio, weather and this unbelievable meal.
Alyventures 