The Cotswolds - May 16, 17, 2017

Just open any illustrated book containing a story or poetry in a country setting in England. It is likely to have a drawing or photo of a spot in the Cotswolds. This area is just to the north and west of London, and has a long history of sheep husbandry and very prosperous wool trading business going back to the middle ages. Thankfully, throughout time, many of those Middle Ages structures made of Cotswold limestone were treasured and preserved. Many originally served as inns and coach houses for the sheep markets; others weere where wood trading took place. The neighboring houses are lovely. They are built, one next to the other with flowering vines climbing over the windows and doors. Each house is named, and their doors are sized to accommodate a 5-foot woman and a stooping 6-foot man. The roofs sag deeply with their moss-covered slate shingles.

The towns in the area have wonderful names like Bourton-on-the-Water, Burford, Chipping Norton, Dursley, Moreton-in-Marsh, Northleach, Stow-on-the-Wold, Stroud and Winchcombe.. We visited Stow-on-the Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water. Both towns had plenty of beauty and history to offer. A lively stream runs through Bourton-on-the-Water; there are several foot-bridges that cross it at several lovely picturesque points. The ducks both drake and the hen, with their babies swam, first fighting the current with webbed feet working hard on one side of the stream, crossing and, then gliding, floating back down again on the other side in the fast current.

We found the footpath that led us away from the town crowds and outside the city center. It followed the stream and took us through pastures and past the gardens of fine homes in town. The weather was damp but cool and perfect for a pastoral English walk.

We had been told the local must-have food item is Gloucester Old Spot Sausage. This is a linked sausage made from the really, really big, Gloucester black spot hog which is pink with random big black spots. We had a late lunch at the Duke of Wellington pub. Stan had the sausage with mash and peas; I had fish and chips with peas. It was really good, but the best part was chatting with people sitting at neighboring tables. One had three dogs who sat quietly and discreetly under their table. The couple at the other table took our photo and bought Stan a glass of Eagle Beer, the man's favorite. They laughed at us bragging about being married 42 years; they celebrated their 52nd anniversary this year.

Life is and the people in it are simply amazing!!!! Thank you, Lord!!

Speaking of food, Stan and I were impressed that we've managed our eating habits in a very healthy manner throughout this trip that is until we arrived in England. Meat pies, fish and chips, sausages with mash - good grief! It is all so delicious!! And addicting. The more you eat, the more you want. I feel myself going into a growing stage.

I checked off another must-do life-item. We attended an opera, not an Italian or German Opera but an English opera, Pirates of the Penzance. It debuted in 1880 but was adapted for Broadway, which was the version we saw, in 1981. What a lovely evening!!! There was a live orchestra in the pit, the scenery was creatively designed and artistic and the singing was wonderful. We surprised ourselves!! First, we could follow the story line through song and secondly, we stayed awake. We loved it!

We slept; we woke. May 17. It was time to move on. We ordered UBER but no UBER was available. We called a taxi and spit spot it was at our door step to take us and our luggage to the bus depot. We caught the National Express to Liverpool. It rained all the way but the view out the window was so very, very pretty. Green fields and green hills with cows and sheep here and there. Occasionally we'd see a pasture of horses. And we saw farms with lovely gentry houses and great barns. Mmmmm!

We stopped in Birmingham for a while but we could not see much. Then off again to Liverpool. We rode through more countryside but it suddenly began to look just a little different. Shopping centers - just like those at home began to pop up. There were big stores like IKEA and ones that look just like Home Depot but not the same name. Then, boom!!! We were in Liverpool! Whoa!! Liverpool!! Paul McCartney! John Lennon!!!

This little stay here in this corner of England along the River Mersey is going to be an experience! I know it will!! We are looking forward to the Beatles, the ferry across the river, the Cavern and Penny Lane.