10-14 Sunday

Breakfast at our pub wasn't until 8:30 so we we got fully packed before indulging in the morning meal. Then off through the center of town, maybe 10 buildings, and into frost covered country side, the sky's clear and still quite cold. Walking through 17th century farms with 17th century houses and 21st century equipment. Then through forest, and birds -lots of birds. The birds were ring necked pheasants and we saw more of them than I have seen total in all my life. The property we were walking through was estates, big estates, that placed pheasant feeders all over the estate, and I'm sure have big shooting parties during pheasant season. None the less, it was thrilling to have them running about, and taking to flight all around, often startling us. Then up and over a hill for the best view we've seen; grand panorama with the town of our destination right in the middle. Then on the the Suddeley castle, a 15th century affair with lots of intrigue including Henry 8th and his women, at least one buried in the castle ( Katherine Parr-his widow). Then on to Winchcombe, and our White Hart Inn, a 17th century building, pub on the ground, rooms on the first floor - very charming.

10-13 back through the town we stopped for resupply - bread, cheese, cookies - and off we went in the crisp clear morning air along the Windrush Way, along the Windrush River; a glorious beginning. Pheasants love it here in the Cotswalds, they're everywhere. Soon we get lost, but happily because we got to wander through some very lovely forest- twice because we had to go back, then on down the now Mud-on-the-Boots trail with sticks to assure that only our boots got muddy. After an hour or so we were joined by a gaggle (maybe 20) locals out doing their Satuday exercise. We bumped into them several times along the trail. Around lunch time we were in Naunton, a small hamlet with a church where we ate, and read grave stones whilst gazing out upon the glorious and charming surrounds. Now raining we moved on over hill and dale, and farm, and the occasional metalled path - English for paved street. Finally reaching Guiting Power, and our home for the night; The Hollow Bottom, a Pub/ B&B with a darling gabled room.

10-12 starting in good old Stow-on-the-Wold we went to Foot-on-the-Path, then to Hide Mill, then Gloucestershire Way and Mud-on-the-Feet (It did rain yesterday), to Upper Slaughter, then to Lower Slaughter, and finally to Bourton-on-the-Water. Whilst in Upper Slaughter we sought the guidance of a local regarding navigation, and made a friend, who invited us to his 1640's home. From California he and his wife moved to the area in 1991, purchased the house as a rundown, dirt floor teardown, invested much money and time, and love over the last 20 years to make it the stunning house that it is today - especially the kitchen! Lower Slaughter is billed as the loveliest village in the Cotswalds, and we wouldn't argue, although it's a close call; virtually all of them are oozing charm. Bourton-on-the-water is the touristic winner so far. The reason is partially that a river runs through it; right smack through the middle with several elegant 18th century bridges going across. It is a lovely town, and we certainly enjoyed our wandering, as well, the Chinese food we found(I know, it sounds like a crime hanging out in stereotypical idyllic English landscape ordering CHINESE food, but it sure was good. Only a spot of rain, and a tad of hail, but the evenings are getting a might chilly, so we made for the warmth of the B&B. Another great day.

10/11 Stow-on-the-Wold.         Had breakfast, an English breakfast, then started out on walk in dry weather, expecting a deluge any time - fortunately it came after we reached our destination. Somewhat misty all day but not much rain :). Beautiful scenery and manor homes, post card views everywhere. First stop Longborough then Donnington then Broadwell, all charming hamlets filled with houses made of Cotswald stone. We stopped to lunch in the St Paul's cemetery, reading interesting gravestone markers, then onto Stow-on- the-Wold, where we found our home for the night, a cozy B&B, four star attraction. The walk went through and along farms filled with cows, sheep, and horses and poop of all shapes and sizes, and occassional views of pheasants running about hither and thither.  After getting lost, Lynn became the lead navigator owing to the fact that this trail is very poorly sign posted and the our best navigation was by written word. The description of the trail was often our only guide and her reading skills are vastly superior to mine. The town of Stow-on-the-Wold is more touristic with several busloads of tourists wandering the streets enjoying the charm - another beautiful town. A great day.