Sunday, September 13, 2009

Say it in Pictures...

Guess I'm running out of superlatives to describe the biking we've experienced today.  Each day tops the last and I'm simply wracking my brain to come up with prose that even comes close to doing justice to it all.  The highlight of today was meeting a local Cotswold gentleman out walking his Border Terrier "Willow" - he was so warm and engaging, looked at our route plan and totally approved, and after we parted ways he called out "the views will be specky!" (translation - the views will be spectacular - he was not only right, he gave us the favorite phrase of our trip to date).

So, in keeping with the "specky" spirit, I am posting a series of photos I hope will capture, at least in part, the wonders of the Cotswolds.  We did 43 uber-hilly miles and were still smiling right to the end as we arrived at the South Hill Farmhouse B & B in Stow-on-the-Wold.  Hope you enjoy the eye travel!

The climbs were always rewarding!
The sheep have quite the life here
Peter relaxes in front of the hearth after lunch at the Mill Inn
The Mill Inn - charming in every way possible
Cotswold beauty at every turn
June is totally in love with the sheep
We spotted 10 deer in the fields and they took off in beautiful flight
Specky Views, right-o!
Charm of Bourton-on-the-Water
Our dinner destination in Stow-on-Wold- fish and chips, a pint and history!
Off to bed - tomorrow we loop up to Chipping Camden, and if we have the legs and the time we will try to make it to Chipping Norton as well. 
Just another note - I have to say that Peter is the most amazing travel partner - photographer, fixer of flat tires (had our first today, of course a rear wheel so all packs had to come off!, historian, master of navigation AND pretty funny too!  How could I get so lucky.  Never would be here doing this without him - thanks Peter!

2 comments:

  1. Peter and June,

    Wow those pictures are something. I remember that of all the places we visited in the UK the Cotswolds were the most charming, most quaint, and the most "English." All of those lovely villages with names like Stowe-on-the-Wolde and "Mildew-on-the-Carpet", and the thousand year old stone buildings with signs saying "Ye Olde Internet Cafe." Gawd, how I wish I could join you--except for the 43 miles of hilly biking. Keep on writing as we enjoy the reading.

    Ruthie and Mike

    PS. The pictures are great but is there any way to post some of Peter's sketches?

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  2. We did a couple of sketch posts - more coming on Tuesday I hope! Thanks so much for keep in touch and reading along...Love, June & Peter

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