Roadmap to Infinity

The Cotswolds covers 500,000 acres and is designated as an Area of Natural Beauty (AONB). The train ride from Bath was around 2 hours, but it is a lot shorter by car.

Driving in England is even more terrifying in real life than it looked online back in the States. It would be possible to visit more places in a car and would have spared us running miles in the cold rain with jam covered scones and sandwiches to catch the last bus, but I am challenged enough just trying to walk on the correct side of the sidewalk and to cross the street without being run over.

For example, what do these lines mean?

JRR Tolkien is a big deal around here since much of his inspiration for scenes in his books came from this region. This door from the St. Edwards Church in Stow-on-the-Wold is an example.

I was surprised to discover how awesome tea time is, we need it back home!

The other discovery I have made is CIDER! The cider back home gives me a headache, but the cider made in England is perfect and my new favorite drink.

Of the two full days we had in the Cotswolds, one was cold and rainy. My rainy day plan included a visit to Blenheim Palace, childhood home of Winston Churchill. What an amazing life story! It was a feat to get there via train and bus, but worth the trip.

We were so blessed to have a beautiful day to hike! In the months prior to our trip, I ordered a book of walking routes from a bookstore in England to map out a plan. It is amazing that all of the walks are paths through private property, including farmlands and livestock pastures accessible through many gates.

Today we say goodbye to the Shire. Next stop: Oxford.