The sun literally smiled on us as 12 families assembled in the Western Cotswolds to explore the surrounding lanes and tea shops.
Saturday took us north and west towards the Rollright Stones, passing fields of yellow rape, Range Rovers and quaint Cotswold houses. The Shire horses greeted us at Hook Norton and we separated briefly to enjoy the pub or Wyatts garden centre before re-assembling at the Rollright Stones. Constructed in various stages over the past 3000 years and re-assembled in the 1800’s it was a good place for a snooze in the afternoon sun. Into Chipping Norton and back to the site where we gathered by the pods for an evening BBQ.
Sunday led south then west along the Windrush Valley to Burford. Once again the sun was shining as we tackled the undulating lanes. Burford was busy, very busy with traffic queued down the High Street, but many found a bit of solitude by the church away from the hoardes. Heading back towards Charlbury took us along the south side of the Windrush Valley and we stopped for a picnic lunch at Minster Lovell by the river. Back at the site the adults convened for a round or two of skittles in the local shed, where Neil managed to exact his revenge over Steve, who for once wasn’t brandishing a snooker cue.
Monday was sunny yet again, how lucky is that and whilst a few families bade farewell citing GCSE and homework issues, 5 families headed for Blenheim Palace. We nearly got there too but the teashop in Woodstock proved far too tempting.