Sunday in the Cotswolds

We took a Sunday train-ride, a Sunday drive, and a Sunday walk.

We started out at Paddington Station and joined up with a "Day's Out" London Walk group to the Cotswolds.

Stretching roughly from Bath to Oxford to Stratford-upon-Avon to Stroud, the Cotswolds has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Cotswolds means: sheep enclosure in rolling hillsides.

We took the train to Kingham, and then took a coach to an area above a village. This allowed us to admire the countryside before we set off on a short walk.

Off we went along stone dry-walls.

It's hard to watch one's steps when the views are such as this.

We were bound for the village of Chipping Campden below.

The weather was perfect, and we were serenaded by a group of goldfinches (upper right) as we set off.

As was the village.  It was a dream to see village country gardens.

Many of the homes and cottages proudly displayed their 'house name'.

During our lunch break we chose to patronize a local cheese shop.  Crackers, salmon pate, a soft cheese and a hard cheese.  Lunch!

Much like Bath, the beauty of the Cotswolds comes from the use of 

one stone construction.  In this case it is Cotswold stone (a yellow oolitic limestone). 

Even with the use of the same stone, there were lots of interesting architectural details which served to make each building unique unto itself. 

Chipping Campden is home to St. James' Church.

The church has an archetypical churchyard overlooking the rolling hills of the countryside. 

It also has a wonderful variety of needlepoint kneelers.

Look at all the birds!

We then rejoined the bus and drove past the large village of Broadway.

Many of the larger villages have a wonderful 14th century church.

We passed fields of lavender.

Then we arrived at Upper Slaughter.

 

Another charming village.

I did mention the 'purr-fect' weather didn't I?

From Upper Slaughter we set off on another short walk...

...to the village of Lower Slaughter.  It has a historic mill amongst its charms.  The mill served organic ice cream! What a wonderful way to end the "Day Out."

We then bussed back to Kingham and got on a train back to London.  We were all seated and content to reflect upon the day.  By the time the train departed from Oxford it was standing-room only.  I'm so glad I'm not an Oxford to London commuter.  That must be torturous day after day!

Tomorrow another adventure awaits us.  It's time to visit our good friend Emma B. in the Midlands.