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Published: August 25th 2017
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The Cotswolds deserve their reputation. Everything you've heard about them is probably true, even the cliche's! Yes they are quintessentially English, they are post card picturesque, they are the playground for the well to do and the 'Champagne Charlies' from the cities, the are quaint, charming and really quite beguiling and yes every village does serve cream teas, pork pies, fish and chips, pasties (which they pronounce nothing like we don't!) and ice-creams but not all at once! From Chipping Campden via Stow on the Wold, Long Compton and Little Compton, Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter to Bourton on the Water Even the place names are enchanting! Apart from not being able to see over the hedgerows for half the journey the drive is delightful. We keep off the main arterial roads which means frequent 'disorientations' but still manage to navigate fairly well. The back up strategy of resorting to google for directions has been used a few times but we persist with initial map planning. About half of England is here today, the other half being stuck on the roads. It is a bank holiday weekend BUT that doesn't start until tomorrow! We only have a little over a 2
hour drive tomorrow which I now expect to stretch to close to 4 but that's better than some we have heard of.
We saw the RSC production of Julius Ceasar last night. We both really like Stratford although the place is overrun with tourists from all over the globe. We park cheaply and walk around, manage to find good food and drink (although nothing cheap and good) then perambulate for a while and then enjoy the theatre. The venue is excellent, our seats very good (there are bad ones but booking on line means you can/should avoid them) and the story is timeless, poignant and easy to follow. Big cast (in number not size!) which makes for much action and commotion but an excellent production. We always think the staging and costuming is first class and it was certainly no different this time. The actors although not known to us by name or reputation are to any half locals and again always put in big performances. I don't think I'm giving away too much but it did not end well for Julius, it did for us.
The B'nB here has been very good. I think I've already posted
'out the window' shots and breakfast shots so they won't be here again. It wasn't our first choice or second or third but really what we could get and that was nearly 3 months ago! Here accommodation for bank holiday weekend goes very fast. We are putting the 'gastro pub' to the test tonight. It passed well and truly 2 years ago when we were here last.
Tomorrow we head for the Peak District and hopefully to met Joan and Tony et. al. somewhere on the way. Organising the meet is bigger than Ben Hur but we will see what happens. Whils there I should be able to do a couple of small day walks which will be terrific as the scenery there is quite amazing. The hills rise from nowhere and some are quite steep, it's a little like 'hobbit world'. Time will tell.
Again a couple of planning tasks so that's it for now.
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