Blogs from Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

A trip to the open spaces and fresh air of the Cotswolds probably could not have come at a better time. I had just had a really difficult week at work and big city life can get to you sometimes - this was the perfect opportunity to get away and clear my head. England has some of the most beautiful countryside you will see and you don't have to travel far to escape to it. I could've done without the early start though. I booked our hire car to be picked up from Heathrow because it was far enough out of the city to avoid the horrendous London inner city traffic and because there was a lot of rental car choice and availability out there. The catch was a 6.30am start as I tubed into the ... read more

For 10 days before we left England in the middle of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration, the sun stayed with us. We enjoyed the Lake District and then continued south through heavily wooded country. We continued to visit as many National Trust properties as we could and found our way to Sizergh Castle and Lower Sizergh Barn farm shop and their farm trail. Continuing on to Wenlock Edge, we hiked the Wenlock Edge, a narrow escarpment that enabled us to see for miles. We however were never able to find the Pub that was promised. We did finally use our motor scooter to visit the Iron Bridge, the first cast iron bridge built in the world (1779). Our visit to Croome Court, highlighted the intricate architecture and vast natural gardens. We learned how the craftsmen created the ... read more

Greeting from a wet but warmish London Bank holiday, Monday 26 May. We are off to Malta tomorrow but lets fill you in on some of the recent highlights. We started celebrating Anita's birthday with a night out at the London Palladium watching The Sound of Music, It was nice, not dynamic but very slick, professional and as with live musical very powerful. We had a cheapish dinner at a popular sort of Wagamama type resturant called Cha Cha Moon. Itwas just off Carnaby Street, in a very happening part of London. On Saturday we drove with friends around the Cotswolds. It is very quaint and very English and covers about 4 counties west of London. We also went to Blenheim Castle which is close to Woodstock. We also visited the old part of Oxford, where ... read more

Hi everyone So with England out of the World Cup I thought I'd better get on with the task in hand and start walking again. However due to the lack of internet cafes in the Cotswolds I am having trouble updating my blog regularly. I am standing up at a computer behind the bar at my B&B to write this so forgive me if it is brief! I started walking again on Sunday night and have walked Monday and today as well and I am now just north of Bleinham Palace in the Cotswolds. I have slowed the pace to about 7-8 miles a day and walking only in the morning and that seems to be working great. I will send out full updates when I get to a computer with a chair. Also just to ... read more

The Duke of Marlborough is Woodstock's best kept Inn! Nestled just minutes away from the "hustle & bustle" of the historic town of Woodstock home to Blenheim Palace, is this gem of Great British Inns. Our hosts Jan and Derek were kind and welcoming. Jan a friendly gal with a ready smile who likes to fly to New York City on shopping junkets hit it off instantly with Holly; I could not get the two to stop talking about scrapbooking. Derek a happy fellow with a keen sense of humour and a quick wit kept both Holly and I laughing and on our toes. These two are very nice people and if you are in Woodstock, pay them a visit - you'll be glad you did. ... read more