Monday, August 8, 2011

Cotswolds Vacation Highlights

Although we spent the least amount of time in the Cotswolds during our recent vacation, I took three times as many pictures there as any place else!  In an attempt not to bore you too much, I've tried to be selective. If you want more, come back tomorrow when my "Ten on the  Tenth" post will feature more Cotswold beauty AND a blog give-away.
In the Cotswolds, we stayed in Chipping Campden, a beautiful little town with quaint scenery, wonderful pubs and some decent restaurants.
The highlight of the Cotswolds was hiking about along the various trails.  Some were well marked thoroughfares; others required us to follow cryptic signs and climb over fences:
Along the way, we found sheep and flowers and wheat:
Our five mile hike (roundtrip) to Hidcote Gardens ended up being over seven miles because we got lost, but we did find some beautiful sites there
The next day we took a car ride over to Sudley Castle, where we found beautiful gardens and grounds and even a wooden bridge (for the scavenger hunt):
I could go on forever with pictures like these (but I won't - LOL!). Suffice it to say, we enjoyed our time wandering around the Cotswolds - a place so quaint and beautiful that Paul said "You expect to see Miss Marple walking out of a house at any minute."
Got any favorites in today's post?
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14 comments:

  1. AmyAugust 8, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    I am more than happy to see all that you've got! Those gardens are something to behold!

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  2. Mary BAugust 9, 2011 at 12:01 AM

    I love the Cotswolds I don't live far from them but as I don't drive I very seldom get to see the places I love now. So you will never bore me with your beautiful pictures.
    Chipping Campden used to have a fantastic craft shop with so much packed in it you could hardly move I wonder if it is still there.
    I love the names of the places they seem to trip of the tongue melodiously don't they.
    look forward to your 10 on the tenth

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  3. scrappyjackyAugust 9, 2011 at 12:45 AM

    I think the Cotswolds are one of the most beautiful places in the world...and I'm with Paul on the Miss Marple comment!
    I actually like the wheat picture best...perhaps because it's quite atmospheric....perhaps because it's a different view of the place.

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  4. AlisonAugust 9, 2011 at 1:39 AM

    The Cotswolds are one of my favourite parts of England...and, yes, you do expect to meet Miss Marple on every corner. DH has a second cousin who lives in Chipping Camden...both she and her husband are ex-RAF and settled there when they left.
    Alison xx

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  5. SianAugust 9, 2011 at 4:28 AM

    It's pretty different to California, that's for sure!

    That's a lovely collection of pictures - a perfect supply for a winter of creating

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  6. CheriAugust 9, 2011 at 4:45 AM

    water lillies and castles and gardens - what's not to love?

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  7. AnonymousAugust 9, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    Beautiful photos and those gardens are just fabulous.

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  8. janeAugust 9, 2011 at 6:56 AM

    Loved your sweet tour through the Cotswolds, have never been there, so lovely!

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  9. nancy yAugust 9, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    oh I love seeing your photos, not only would I expect to see Miss Marple - but also Agatha Raisin from the quaint mysteries I love!! I love all the photos, but the first one really caught my eye!

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  10. UnknownAugust 9, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    Have never been to the Cotswolds, but it looks lovely.

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  11. DeniseAugust 9, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    I'm so glad the weather stayed reasonably good for your stay - I've never been Cotswolds- might have to put that on my list. My favourite photo is definitely the one looking at the table through the arch with the flowers on.

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  12. The Mann FamAugust 9, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    I love seeing your pictures. So different from life in California. I love the picture of Paul, I'm guessing, climbing over the fence. It so reminded me of the BBC movie of Pride and Prejudice where Elizabeth is climbing over the fence in one of her walks. So lovely. Please share more.

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  13. laurieAugust 9, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    oh, it looks beautiful! i went once, years ago, and i remember that same storybook feeling that you describe.

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  14. AnonymousAugust 14, 2011 at 5:10 AM

    Love the pictures. The Cotswolds just got added to our must see list the next time we cross the pond.

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