Hidcote

Well I am home . It was nice to get a break.

I went to Hidcote this morning. Hidcote is an arts and crafts garden with a series of linked rooms. There are now two prescribed routes one easy access and one longer and I did the longer

My plan had been to go to Minster Lovell Hall the ruins of a 15th century manor house beside the River Windrush. However the setting is lovely and this being a bank holiday the car park was full and so I drove on. 

In the Cotswolds

 I'm travelling! This was not planned! I offered to drive a good friend due to a "cock up/misunderstanding" delete as appropriate. Rather than drive straight home I booked myself into one of my favourite places the Red Lion Long Compton arriving about 5:15 last night.

It's "slightly" different. Entry to the pub is one way and masks are worn everywhere except at your table or room. Your temperature is taken on entry and you have to track and trace. At first I found this disturbing but as I say drinking my beer I decided it was a good thing as I felt safe so that's ok. I also have a bottle of sanitiser in my room and room servicing is voluntary. 

I had a nice meal and evening but some fell asleep about 9:30 listening to the radio. It must have been the driving, nothing to with the beer and wine ;) 

This morning as I ate breakfast I wondered what to do until my first booking at 11am as I would be a "bit early" and suddenly thought.. hang on the Rollright Stones are just up the hill!!

The Kings Men Stone Circle

The Whispering Kmights

Not a bad view!

The King Stone 

The view back to Long Compton

So off to Sudeley Castle the home of Katherine Parr the sixth wife of Henry VIII. The Castle was open by a one way route but the sun was shining.

My first job was to visit the shop ;) and then get my lunch, Ham Roll, a pack of crisps and a diet coke and then I set off.

Katherine is buried in the small church at Sudeley, although her grave was lost and rediscovered, this tomb is Victorian. The church suffered damage in the Civil War so really this is a heavily Victorianised church. In this case a necessity. Katherine is the only English Queen buried in a parish church.

I found a spot to have my lunch and sat and finished my book.

In the afternoon I had a ticket for Snowshill. Alas the house is closed but it was a nice walk and a coffee and fine Scone.

I drove back through the village of Broadway which was packed I know it's a bank holiday weekend but it was busy. I've planned my time to be in people limited areas.

What I don't understand are couples who wander along holding hands and instead of walking one behind the other as someone approaches expect you to either ignore social distancing or move. Two couples did this at Snowshill and one family used the whole path! When one lady just moved over as we passed over I smiled and thanked her. 

I am home tomorrow but a few things planned before I get home :)