To the Cotswolds! May 23

We left Meaghan's around 9:30 and drove to the Cotswolds.
 The day started out cloudy and grey, but the sun came out by mid-day which was great.

  We first stopped in Stow on the Wold and walked around. We thought about eating at a place recommended by the NYTimes, but it was crowded, so we decided to move on to the next village that was recommended.

   Bourton-on-the-Water, the next village was Disney-perfect and almost too cute, but just beautiful. You can see why it is well visited. A little river runs through the old market town with little bridges. The Times recommended the Bakery on the River, but it, too, was crowded, so we ambled along and looked at various charming restaurants and settled on a fish and chip place where we ate outside and people watched.

   From there we drove about three-quarters of an hour to the Woodchester Lodge Bed and Breakfast which is outside a little village and down a narrow, green lane. The manor house has 3 rooms. Ours is large and light with windows overlooking green hills with cows and sheep-incredibly bucolic. We have a private bathroom, but we have to go into the hallway to get to it. (Robes provided.) We feel in the laps of luxury. (Often the note to a more upscale accommodation is the thickness and size of the towels and these are big and thick!)
   We booked 3 nights, but...due to my writing a date wrong, Christine and Ken planned a big family dinner for the 25th. So, we have to cancel our third night here. (And, have to pay for it. Oh well, but too bad.)

    Anne, the proprietor, could not be more helpful, bringing us decaffeinated tea and coffee and fresh milk so we could have a cup of tea before going back out.
   We made our way to the Sainsburys in Dudbridge and got some snacks to tide us over as we had such a late lunch.

    Everything here is flowering and the gardens are spectacular. It reminds us a lot of the Lake District, actually. We feel like we've been encountering Spring for months which is lovely. (Except for allergies!)