Moreton-In-Marsh (A Hamlet In The Cotswolds)

Hello again.....

Our time is coming to a close; however, we did not want it to end without visiting the Cotswolds. It was recommended at the travel information we hire a driver, but decided against it when we discovered it cost $100.00 an hour (£50.00). We figured a bus ride would get us there just as well. Sure enough it was a delightful ride through the countryside.

We went from Statford to Moreton-In-Marsh. It was a sleepy hamlet with less to offer than the ones we had driven through. After a short sight-seeing walk and a visit to a lovely tea room, we boarded a return bus and got off at Chipping Campden. This entire town was built with the same light brown stone. We walked from one end to the other visiting every shop along the way.

As I mentioned several times before, we are eating our way through England. Today was no exception!!! We stopped at a darling tea room in Moreton-In-Marsh. It was very girlie. In fact, Howard came out of the rest room and whispered, "It's the first time I've gone to a men's room with lace curtains". I wondered if he had entered the wrong one, but not so. This place offered lace and frills for both genders.

As we were walking through Chipping Campden, we were getting chilly and again hungry (we did not have lunch), so we stepped down into a quaint shop with a sign on the window saying Rick Steves recommends it. He especially recommended the ginger cake. We tried it (along with more tea) and agreed with Rick.....it got a "thumbs up".

We missed our 5:10 bus, so had to kill time until 6:45. We continued to walk the streets which are so picturesque. It is very chilly here. We wore sweaters and the light fleece jackets we purchased a couple of weeks ago in Camborne. Gloves would have felt great! We saw others wearing them.

One of the treats for the day was a small Arts & Craft museum. William Morris actually came to Chipping Campden and got his inspiration for his design work. He was an important part of the Arts & Craft movement. He went into fabrics and wall coverings. The curator was knowledgable about the movement and was eager to share what he knew. It was a delightful experience. Howard & I are both interested in that period especially since our bungalo in Cincinnati is a Sear's kit home. Very much Arts & Craft.

I mentioned Rick Steves earlier. It reminds me of an experience I had a few days ago. Rick has a detailed book on Great Britian. He recommended a laundry here in Stratford with the address, times and phone number, etc. I walked to it the other afternoon with our roller suitcase filled with dirty clothes. (Remember....we packed lightly! I do the laundry at the end of each week. It has worked out quite well.)

When I got there, I told the woman in charge that I had read about her laundry in Rick's book. She was surprised. I told her how a lot of restaurants and places he recommends will be noted on the window. That surprised her even more. Just then the manager arrived. The woman was excited to tell the manager who agreed it would be a great idea to have a sign made. (You might have guessed the end of this story before I get there.) I am delivering a Brammer-made sign tomorrow. They did not offer a discount on my laundry, but I can always tell people I have a piece of original artwork hanging in a window in Stratford, England. No one needs to know it's only a sign in a laundromat.

(I have a few more minutes on this computer, so will continue to chat.)

Howard has been surprised at how friendly the Brits are. We had one little set back. Yesterday while waiting for the bus near Warwick Castle, we met two ladies who were waiting for the same bus. We began a conversation with them. The one who did most of the talking was in her 50's (I'm guessing). She told us she had studied in Canada and loved it. Howard asked her if she had been to the States. She said in a rather stern way, "No....I have never had a fancy to see the States!" I would have been offended, but when she said she had lived the last thirty years four miles from Warwick Castle, but had never been in it....I figured....hey, seeing the States would be a far reach!

The computer says my time is nearly up.