Today started off with promises of clear blue skies… but we learned that weather forecasters, no matter what country, no matter what continent, are lying liars!
Yes, I suppose we shouldn’t complain, but we were hoping for beautiful sun for our visit to Hidcote. It didn’t rain but the sun was only spotty.
After brekkie, we headed north, through Stow-on-the-Wold, to Broadway.
We had visited here back in 1992, so it’d been awhile… had a nice walk about the High Street and picked up a few souvenirs for the little ones.
Amazingly, in the midst of Broadway, the High Street is split on the one side by meadows and I just happened to catch this beautiful horse in the sun!
Elaine found the Thomas Kinkade shop on the High Street.
It was wonderful to see a real green grocer on the High Street.
At the end of our grand tour of Broadway… this pic is of the Broadway Hotel… we made our way through Chipping Cambden towards Hidcote Manor Gardens.
What a wonderful, picturesque place Chipping Cambden is! Unfortunately, parking was at a premium, so we had to promise to come back on our next trip.
Hidcote is one of those places we had been planning to visit for years, but today was the day!
The grounds are incredibly spacious and there are many, many different areas to explore.
This tree was very old when Lawrence Johnston started building and designing the gardens back in the 20’s.
I think someone’s taken a fancy to me!
I was unaware of the existence of the competition, but I’m very grateful that the Hidcote Loo’s did so well!
Idyllic vistas abound!
Elaine’s making friendly with one of the Hidcote wolves!
Doug’s warning the pheasants not to go flying into the front grill of our nice Peugeot, like one did on our trip with Gramms in 2000.
As we concluded our marvellous visit to Hidcote, we agreed that you could really visit once a month from May – September to see the different gardens come alive!
On our way back to Burford, we decided to visit some of our old haunts, so we took the little roads to Upper Rissingtion, Little Rissington, Great Rissington, Taynton, Great Barrington and Little Barrington.
In 2000, we had stayed at a B&B in Great Rissingtion with Gramms and had supper at the Lamb Inn a couple of times.
Here, a poor thirsty travellers is making the universal gesture for “Need Cider”.
“Got Cider”
… and a half of Bitter.
We both agree, the skies over England are like no others!
This is part of the Sherborne estate grounds.
Back in Burford, we took one last walk about the town. Apparently, Queen Elizabeth I stood on this bridge to address her chancellor of the Exchequer, who resided in Burford at the time.
Elaine is giving her royal wave!
This row of almshouses was built by Richard, Earl of Warwick, for the poor of Burford, in 1457.
As the sun began to drop lower in the sky, we said goodbye to Burford.
Time for one last cream tea at Burford House!
We walked down Sheep Street to the Lamb Inn (don’t you just love it!) for dinner in the pub… was great!
Then back to pack and savour the memories of the day.
Cheers!