Before leaving town we stopped to visit the Roman Well just outside of Stow - apparently it was the only source of potable water until the late 1800's, when a town benefactor had a deep well dug for the village. Peter loves this history stuff (and so do I!).
The Stow well - dates from Roman times!
The ride to Chipping Norton was very scenic despite some cool, cloudy weather as a backdrop. Chipping Norton was not quite as charming as we had hoped, but we did spot our #1 favorite pub name of the trip thus far:
One of the features of the loop was a 4,500-year-old stone circle a few miles outside of Chipping Norton in the corner of a field. We continue to be very intrigued at all the mysterious sites of ancient times.
Stone Circle near Chipping Norton
We had some easier going on the second half of the circuit with the wind at our backs - I spotted an English Cocker Spaniel in one small village and had to stop and chat with her owner about the wonderful qualities of the breed - and I miss our Bess, so the short "hit of dog" was very welcome.
June meets Sally the English Cocker
The great part about a shorter, unburdened ride is that you have time and energy to visit your home base town a little more in depth - we quickly cleaned up and grabbed the B & B's copy of the Stow-on-Wold walking tour, and away we went! The next two pictures give a feel of this charming spot:, reknowed for centuries as a market and wool-trading center:
June stands in Fleece Alley - 4 feet wide - to channel the sheep to the Market Square
A feel for the charm of Cotswold stone buildings in Stow
Peter had a chance to sketch both at the B & B and in Stow - hopefully I will post one tomorrow.
We ended our village walking tour back at the Eagle & Child pub, had a pint and a chicken pie (the pub food is so good!) and then back to the B & B to read - and blog! Tomorrow the packs are back on the bikes as we head to Cirencester for another 2-night stay - only 3 biking days left, can hardly believe it!
June,
ReplyDeleteI have to say you are becoming an accomplished blogger-atti, and you give the reader a very good feeling for the place you are in. As a frustrated travel writer of limited skills, I appreciate a good narrative when I see and read one.
Only three days! Good grief, time goes by rather quickly. Just think of all the great things you have to return to--Michelle Bachman, Tim Pawlenty, and Congressmen who yell at the Prez. (Did you hear about that in England?) Anyway, you also get to return to home, Bess, and the Dunnies, so it is not all bad.
Be well.
Love, Ruthie and Mike