I was at Whatley Manor at 10:00am to pick up Judy and George. The weather was not brilliant, but I was confident it would improve. Following introductions we discussed the route and set off southwards to Castle Combe
The traffic today at Castle Combe was not too bad and I mangaed to find a space to leave the car and catch up with them. We wandered around the ancient Norman Church and as always the history of these churches never fails to impress.
We travelled North to Malmesbury and we all visited the impressive remains of the Abbey. The Abbey itself dates back to the 7th Century. The history here includes our first King of a united England, Athelstan, and Elmer, the flying monk!
After I had parked, we re-grouped to walk along Arlington Row and discuss the history which goes back to when they were originally built in the 14th Century! We dove along the Salt Path and through the peaceful Coln Valley and the sleepy villages.
I dropped them off at the topo of the high street and arranged to meet at the bottom. It was time for lunch and Judy had spotted the Mermaid as a good place. Here we found a seat by the open fire and tucked into some delicious sandwiches and the local ale. Thank you very much for treating me😊
Time had ticked on and we had a lot to see. We drove through the village of Barrington and stopped to look at the folly in the deer park and see the herd of fallow deer. We drove slowly through Bourton-on-the-Water, the Venice of the Cotswolds, and on to Lower and Upper Slaughter.
Stow-on-the-Wold was to be our last visit. We went to see the impressive yew trees by the church door, which were the inspiration for JRR Tolkein's Doors of Durin. We also stopped at the Porch House which is the oldeat Inn in England and dayes back to 947AD. It was now time to head back.
It was such a pleasure to take both of you around this part of the Cotswolds. I hope you had a wonderful time in Ireland and managed the driving! If you do bring the family over here, and you need any tips/advice, please let me know. Perhaps we could meet for another pint!