Our Oxford Odyssey

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We had a lovely day in the Cotswolds. Seeing such interesting places like Blenheim Palace, Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Norton and Bourton-on-the-Water. How could we go wrong with names like these? Most of the places were smallish towns or even villages. We were looking for a real country pub that was off the beaten track for lunch and saw a small sign on the A44 for the small village of Broadwell. We were able to travel down the country lane just like in the movies where someone must give way to get two cars to pass each other. The village was lovely and "The Fox Inn" was just what we had wanted. The village has about 300 residents and was just as quaint as we had wanted it.

Driving on the other side of the road was a little hectic and, although Jim did a good job, we were all relieved to get home about 4:00. We were all intact, including the car. We all voted to walk to dinner. It is so much more comfortable than driving and you don't have to be searching for a parking spot all the time.

Going to Hemel Hempstead today to see our daughter Peggy's friend that has moved here from New Zealand.

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Photos

Glenn & Nooni's House
We are arriving to begin our day out in the country.

Blenheim Palace
This is the country seat of the Duke of Marlborough, but he wasn't in residence. Must have heard we were coming.

Blenheim Palace
The family only lives in part of the wing on the left. This is the front entrance.

Up to the front door
We were not allowed to take pictures while in the Palace. Winston Churchill was born here, and loved to spend time here in his later years.

Part of the formal Gardens
The gardens were quite spectacular.

Pigeons in a bush
We got very close to these 2 pigeons eating the new leaves off this bush.

The lower terrace
The grounds were all just perfect.

Jim
Looks like King James surveying his domain.

Great Expanse
The grounds went for a long way on both sides of the Palace

The Back Door
Almost as ornate as the front.

Gates leaving
These were beautiful and made you feel as if you had really been somewhere.

Cotswold country-side
The Cotswolds are small towns and villages with great views of the country-side and the farms.

The Fox Inn
What a perfect place for our lunch. We got there a few minutes before 2:00 and they were closing at 2:30 so we barely made it. They stop taking food orders at 2:00.

Jim's Lamb Shank Meal
Chrissy and I had Cottage Pie, but Jim opted for the lamb shank. This is before with the salt shaker in his hand.

After
I don't need to tell you that he enjoyed the lamb.

Across the road
This pretty place was just across the road from the inn.

Farmhouse
Wonderful looking farmhouse.

Country Lane
We followed quite a few of these.

Bramble Fence
This was quite an intimidating bramble fence with the field beyond it.

Neufield College
Back in Oxford and walking to dinner in the Oxford Castle where they have renovated the old buildings to house a posh hotel and several restaurants.

The Castle Mound
The Oxford Castle was for defense and also a prison. The first line of defense was the castle mound.

Comments

[Ken]

We love the Cotswolds!
Lesley, Jeff, Lesley's Mom and I had a wonderful time in the Cotswolds some years ago. The little towns and country roads / hills were definitely some of the most memorable places we visited. We stayed near Chippen Camden in a wonderful inn. Our bedroom dated from the 15th century.