FUN-photos: UK – The Cotswolds & Bath, England

June 17, 2017 by · Comments Off on FUN-photos: UK – The Cotswolds & Bath, England 

Lucky for us we left San Diego on a non-stop British Airways flight before their computer melt down that stranded thousands for three days! We opted for a UK rail pass as our main mode of transportation.

  • The first three days were spent in The Cotswolds, the most unspoiled area in England, that covers roughly 25 miles across and 90 miles long.

Our first full day we had a driver take us to the “ever so cute & quaint” surrounding villages and ended at Blenheim Palace. The second day we headed out from our Lower Slaughters Country Inn for a walking tour of the “just picture post card pretty & more cute” villages of Bourton-on-the-Water AKA “the Venice of the Cotswolds” & Stow-on-the-Wold.

  • That was followed by two days in Bath where the town was celebrating the Bath Festival.

The weather was incredible with unseasonably warm record temps and lots of sunshine!

  • This adventure was all about seeing parts of England and Scotland we had never seen, in addition to northern Wales. But the MAIN REASON was for Fèis Ìle… The Islay Festival of Music and Malt!

 

FUN-travel: The Cotswold’s to Bath, England

May 31, 2017 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: The Cotswold’s to Bath, England 

  • It’s clearly closer…

…as the crow flies…

…then the train tracks…

…took us!

Pulteney Bridge

  • Bath is known…

…for its Roman-built baths …

…and a temple…

Our Favorite Bath Pub!

…in the valley of the River Avon…

…in AD 60…

…although hot springs…

…were known even before then.

FUN-facts – UNESCO added The City of Bath as a ‘cultural site’ to its World Heritage List in 1987.

  • Bath is included because of its Roman Remains, 18th Century Architecture, 18th Century Town Planning, Social Setting, Hot Springs and Landscape Setting.

More FF – Jane Austen lived in Bath in the early 19th century.

 

FUN-travel: More Cotswold’s, England

May 29, 2017 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: More Cotswold’s, England 

Lovely morning walk to…

  • Bourton-on-the-Water…dubbed “the Venice of the Cotswolds.”

…visit the Model Village

…replica of Bourton-on-the-Water village in one-ninth scale.

  • Stow-on-the-Wold

…built as a marketplace on hilltop nearer to crossroads…

…to take advantage of passing trade.

FUN-fact – The name Cotswold comes from the words cots” meaning stone sheep shelters and “wold” meaning rolling hills. Cotswold  wool was the finest in the world and created great wealth and country manor estates.

More FF –  The most unspoiled area in England it covers roughly 25 miles (40 km) across and 90 miles (145 km) long. And to maintain it’s original charm and quaintness only Cotswold stone  is allowed for building today.

  • Highly Recommended For Lovely Tour – our personal private driver Khaye Gwala – He can be reached at khaye_81@yahoo.com  or 077-6603-2725

FUN-travel: More Cotswold’s, England

May 28, 2017 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: More Cotswold’s, England 

  • Pre-booked driver for tour…saw cute, quaint villages of…

…Snowshill…

…Stanton…

…Broadway…

…Chipping Campden…

…& Blenheim Palace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUN-facts – Blenheim Palace was built circa 1705–1722 and is the current home of the 12th Duke of Marlborough.

It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

And where Sir Winston Churchill was born in 1874 when his mother went into labor while attending a party there.

Blenheim Water Garden

FUN-travel: The Cotswold’s, England

May 28, 2017 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: The Cotswold’s, England 

Broadway Tower

  • Arrive to unheard of heat wave this time of year in Britain…

…balmy 70’s…more like spectacular summer weather!

  • Train to Moreton-in-Marsh…

..taxi to Lower Slaughter.

  • All we can say is…

…”all villages are just…

…picture post card…

…pretty cute!

FUN-fact – Broadway Tower on Broadway Hill (imagine that!) the Highest Little Castle in the Cotswolds, was  built as a folly by Lady Coventry in 1798–99, who wondered whether a beacon on this hill could be seen from her house in Worcester — about 22 miles away — and indeed, as it turned out the beacon could be seen clearly.

Not So FUN-fact – Having band width issues and can’t get my pictures! So will post as I get them.

  • Beer always helps band width problems!

Slaughters Country Inn