tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5556101458115824462024-03-05T06:35:40.290-08:00Cotswold PeepsIn and around the Cotswolds, EnglandGretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-67874819810655473292012-04-06T06:33:00.005-07:002012-04-06T08:20:26.544-07:00The last peep<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOjtsVtqKQd1Avvj6J9Pvf1zQFcqm70TlaMAOsTvXF0dMpLvXTFKbg9yVkxYh0FnpLICJ043WBjSujPM9p-cWEHiZ_VK10f9YkEZhMGRe4vZli4BnXE4jH__NGlnkkE05vx9TSmkhde4/s1600/Breurn-Abbey.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOjtsVtqKQd1Avvj6J9Pvf1zQFcqm70TlaMAOsTvXF0dMpLvXTFKbg9yVkxYh0FnpLICJ043WBjSujPM9p-cWEHiZ_VK10f9YkEZhMGRe4vZli4BnXE4jH__NGlnkkE05vx9TSmkhde4/s400/Breurn-Abbey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728280923439555570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This will be my last 'Cotswold Peep'. It's been many months since I posted here and I've realised that I've simply not got the time to keep two blogs going. Exciting things are happening and sometime this year, with luck, we will be moving over to the even more gorgeous county of <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" href="http://www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk/">Shropshire</a>, next door to Wales. </span><br /><br style="font-family: arial;"><br style="font-family: arial;"></div><blockquote></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4b2vjkNaV796VexfdHHoUkX7im8YdIC2rwMs-WXFzKiUMiEk99LHIhSTfCtfpKcHEYE7Z5GrYuemCoCVUq329PloVmDrb2VF2II3wyIhUPRZYiwtyeXbWywJlATDAZg6uz3F29Op20bs/s1600/Cotswold-lambs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4b2vjkNaV796VexfdHHoUkX7im8YdIC2rwMs-WXFzKiUMiEk99LHIhSTfCtfpKcHEYE7Z5GrYuemCoCVUq329PloVmDrb2VF2II3wyIhUPRZYiwtyeXbWywJlATDAZg6uz3F29Op20bs/s400/Cotswold-lambs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728280932714099890" border="0" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><br />It is lamb-time here and it seems right to end this blog with new beginnings. Because things never do end really, they just start somewhere else. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br style="font-family: arial;"></div><br style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPit5qMKbOEX6njW8Tk5cwqofPFBKxX6brE6vkeyYJm_ZsKf4iD90o_Oe2BJ7qR3Cbvk6gLihh6zpoABaHgVcwaUQoe7fnaQz7Ni9vNgHnlCxSciRT6hbq-vc_eJbtFy_DzE74GFG8Rc/s1600/lambs-at-Bruern.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPit5qMKbOEX6njW8Tk5cwqofPFBKxX6brE6vkeyYJm_ZsKf4iD90o_Oe2BJ7qR3Cbvk6gLihh6zpoABaHgVcwaUQoe7fnaQz7Ni9vNgHnlCxSciRT6hbq-vc_eJbtFy_DzE74GFG8Rc/s400/lambs-at-Bruern.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728280915740409202" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />I'm really looking forward to a whole new area of countryside to explore. Of course, I'll be keeping my <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" href="http://allaroundus.blogspot.co.uk/">other blog</a> going, and will be posting any other Cotswold/country things there, such as my latest post about the <a style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" href="http://allaroundus.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/up-uffington.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Uffington White Horse</span></a>. The road goes on - and I'll be down it somewhere. Maybe around the next corner, with a small picnic and a couple of boiled sweets in my pocket.<br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><br style="font-family: arial;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-H_Kw8tgJyhQzTAK0uUzll4NnjwrrpxGwVKylLGm9LFPVL9Ly3tkzK3IgvBY173amgx0p80l8otE2YnAhVfywcDLVtpNApox99ayy_tOZ5n-MmFNABseYxYio5oqobOXX3uyBvaQquXc/s1600/Cotswold-lane.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-H_Kw8tgJyhQzTAK0uUzll4NnjwrrpxGwVKylLGm9LFPVL9Ly3tkzK3IgvBY173amgx0p80l8otE2YnAhVfywcDLVtpNApox99ayy_tOZ5n-MmFNABseYxYio5oqobOXX3uyBvaQquXc/s400/Cotswold-lane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728280945300788434" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />Many thanks to everyone who's ever read, enjoyed and commented on this blog - I hope I've managed to share a little of my huge love of the area I've lived in for so long and it would be lovely if you joined my explorations of our new home, when we get there.</span><br /><br /><br style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://allaroundus.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:arial;" >Middle of Nowhere</span><br style="font-family: arial;"></a></span></div></div><br style="font-family: arial;">Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-5966431734723197062011-11-13T02:35:00.001-08:002011-11-13T09:18:59.496-08:00The stones at Rollright<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWTqDRJ9ACHqj_FegYzgdYBviWmoXox3_KX4ENRWIYNqnt3-bVr_pRMw_IsEJ6XpXhmb5Y5lIieVjaVbDrQvJTcnlVBAByatplwE4KOQPXj8igROh0TIAjCiBoX4N15YB5GAAzDeHrS4/s1600/rollright-kings-men.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ekTSvFChB40qgFEbyxcEWMA1hxJjbyNsg0N8aSBHvunpXoh5CuyzCvOBRkpTvwNrDxrVrME7V7Tu8xMx4zsXg644_dMqwcbM_ad4Qy7J0exa7xKcDnLUaSo91ZfqMukgKS8aVv-3RyE/s1600/kings-men-rollright-circle.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ekTSvFChB40qgFEbyxcEWMA1hxJjbyNsg0N8aSBHvunpXoh5CuyzCvOBRkpTvwNrDxrVrME7V7Tu8xMx4zsXg644_dMqwcbM_ad4Qy7J0exa7xKcDnLUaSo91ZfqMukgKS8aVv-3RyE/s400/kings-men-rollright-circle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674428050761538562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">(</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Please click image for larger wide-angle view</span><span style="font-family:arial;">)</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The Rollright Stones are situated on a high point overlooking our part of the Cotswolds, near Chipping Norton. A bleak spot at most times of the year; I have never been here without feeling a chilly blast which strips away any remnant of sun warmth.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWTqDRJ9ACHqj_FegYzgdYBviWmoXox3_KX4ENRWIYNqnt3-bVr_pRMw_IsEJ6XpXhmb5Y5lIieVjaVbDrQvJTcnlVBAByatplwE4KOQPXj8igROh0TIAjCiBoX4N15YB5GAAzDeHrS4/s1600/rollright-kings-men.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWTqDRJ9ACHqj_FegYzgdYBviWmoXox3_KX4ENRWIYNqnt3-bVr_pRMw_IsEJ6XpXhmb5Y5lIieVjaVbDrQvJTcnlVBAByatplwE4KOQPXj8igROh0TIAjCiBoX4N15YB5GAAzDeHrS4/s400/rollright-kings-men.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674430541104055698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">This area includes a few ancient artifacts and the main one is the Neolithic circle known as 'The King's Men' dating from around 2500 BC. As far as stone circles go, it is rather small, but very pleasing to look at.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop7vIdf8n6LMplKaGtXVAIoiDlibVe9Wll5eRoD8dqJ_eYtNUrAJ6ACOvcyvXkiyC9UZPtyI48fSmfP5k7Yt31zPRfC91uMA6KuyQ4pSq6AFkp2CtRBtMIoVcB4p0wz392LhFxYZa-Kw/s1600/offering-at-the-rollright-s.jpg"><blockquote></blockquote><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoM_iXM-59PQVpdcufpaPMHVMtwWI1vPtXPpCSAoH0Cv9X4oMl1YlYvfnQali5VtoxyX7RHP8iblEuzu1hyWPhpMTFvs7ZKPLUxG0S04BKNRs19oGynUMR9rsVvvN_lgbFVE0rn_al7I/s1600/Rollright-circle.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoM_iXM-59PQVpdcufpaPMHVMtwWI1vPtXPpCSAoH0Cv9X4oMl1YlYvfnQali5VtoxyX7RHP8iblEuzu1hyWPhpMTFvs7ZKPLUxG0S04BKNRs19oGynUMR9rsVvvN_lgbFVE0rn_al7I/s400/Rollright-circle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674428038068778738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Legend has it that you can never count the stones and get the same figure - if you do manage it three times in a row, you get a wish. We tried it, and failed - it is almost impossible to do, as there are piles of stone which could be one, two or several counts, depending on who is counting! But as you can see from the well worn track, many people try. The agreed figure is seventy seven.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-eO_tlpegGwVqJFtoV6YKM_jmwVQRKGhCPZyUYvoMPbEWo9Kk1bkOESBjJH2kawJsfdaKkFlNqrceYdA1GnM9DRYowvwsyIexQzNOzrNO9PSODTAB6W3aCKy2oy7uDdXUHdLtdJwRRw/s1600/King-Stone-Rollright.jpg"><br /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop7vIdf8n6LMplKaGtXVAIoiDlibVe9Wll5eRoD8dqJ_eYtNUrAJ6ACOvcyvXkiyC9UZPtyI48fSmfP5k7Yt31zPRfC91uMA6KuyQ4pSq6AFkp2CtRBtMIoVcB4p0wz392LhFxYZa-Kw/s1600/offering-at-the-rollright-s.jpg"><br /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXnhmHtrcs70ukBU7_dc41A1sfJxXIjxPKbs_rPZrtDm4xSThvqPw20781VhKOUJuD0SXknf5Mvrfa-bX_reCYYBTJ4YG154Eo5SWq3DB53dmyTttJK8i6j4_-iO9GW86-7kA-pdvURI/s1600/rollright-stones-path.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXnhmHtrcs70ukBU7_dc41A1sfJxXIjxPKbs_rPZrtDm4xSThvqPw20781VhKOUJuD0SXknf5Mvrfa-bX_reCYYBTJ4YG154Eo5SWq3DB53dmyTttJK8i6j4_-iO9GW86-7kA-pdvURI/s400/rollright-stones-path.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674427728971039650" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sUO0Za5XxQl82JdGSi2wYt56BqSc9EGQjjg5bW5Cd3HlG7ogROh4mwPnY_U0436_pp8vUgSFJaoe9n7Q2RkoyAHjKUhG_vRSdn7tWdizuB26tMidmOxeXzgE289v-JTsvZ_Ls__06m4/s1600/Rollright-stones.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sUO0Za5XxQl82JdGSi2wYt56BqSc9EGQjjg5bW5Cd3HlG7ogROh4mwPnY_U0436_pp8vUgSFJaoe9n7Q2RkoyAHjKUhG_vRSdn7tWdizuB26tMidmOxeXzgE289v-JTsvZ_Ls__06m4/s400/Rollright-stones.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674427714952922226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The stones are limestone, which is the bedrock of this part of the Cotswolds and have been weathered into grisly contortions.</span><br /></div><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAK0JB_f066J7YCG2b8qElwKKbzlZsWTcWqcftAg-ddL9ZJAQ-IWW0Dl5HBN_gJsO3enkl42wYcGoOOneq77febBpFb8DlRCGBAuQeFNTly7-EzpO4zTRB059TvZkGE5Seac2sfEeL-hk/s1600/Rollrights-kings-men.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAK0JB_f066J7YCG2b8qElwKKbzlZsWTcWqcftAg-ddL9ZJAQ-IWW0Dl5HBN_gJsO3enkl42wYcGoOOneq77febBpFb8DlRCGBAuQeFNTly7-EzpO4zTRB059TvZkGE5Seac2sfEeL-hk/s400/Rollrights-kings-men.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674427706299362242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">It is possible to hire the stones for ceremonies, weddings, even as a film set. There had been some kind of *happening* recently, for we found - in the centre of the circle - the remains of a small fire, with a bouquet of foliage, some strewn pennies and, tucked into the crevice of a nearby stone, a flower.</span><br /></div><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop7vIdf8n6LMplKaGtXVAIoiDlibVe9Wll5eRoD8dqJ_eYtNUrAJ6ACOvcyvXkiyC9UZPtyI48fSmfP5k7Yt31zPRfC91uMA6KuyQ4pSq6AFkp2CtRBtMIoVcB4p0wz392LhFxYZa-Kw/s1600/offering-at-the-rollright-s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop7vIdf8n6LMplKaGtXVAIoiDlibVe9Wll5eRoD8dqJ_eYtNUrAJ6ACOvcyvXkiyC9UZPtyI48fSmfP5k7Yt31zPRfC91uMA6KuyQ4pSq6AFkp2CtRBtMIoVcB4p0wz392LhFxYZa-Kw/s400/offering-at-the-rollright-s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674430542736745586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">A short walk takes us across to the 'Whispering Knights' - actually a 5,000 year old dolmen or burial chamber. Also facing the elemental blast from across Oxfordshire, the winds whip around the stones, making it a melancholy spot for a resting place.</span></div><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmyMc7dFXxqyA9qlP_TdfGn3lp29ay8_6BHZ2G7hla42gFHeo44W4O9eiEz6YIGsZTnC8Znbb3gCpwkmlvorITCjHVx9Wmh75wxpBU569cB0y53PFR6dnSKT8FOnkmZvKv4TLpG7KUDU/s1600/rollright-knight.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XvmGjrlufmrLVoEYESPUTkWbAqxPwq7OPrwzMOgZSnODPs34IqicRn9P9qBBHsjaEi7iPJp7gk_wSYnpsBJ8lnhLdrvo2bV6oHMqcJ4iSlYyH7yG8qdldNbNU3cYa8V4hqssbWyWB_Y/s1600/Whispering-Knights-Rollright.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XvmGjrlufmrLVoEYESPUTkWbAqxPwq7OPrwzMOgZSnODPs34IqicRn9P9qBBHsjaEi7iPJp7gk_wSYnpsBJ8lnhLdrvo2bV6oHMqcJ4iSlYyH7yG8qdldNbNU3cYa8V4hqssbWyWB_Y/s400/Whispering-Knights-Rollright.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674427736808627042" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmyMc7dFXxqyA9qlP_TdfGn3lp29ay8_6BHZ2G7hla42gFHeo44W4O9eiEz6YIGsZTnC8Znbb3gCpwkmlvorITCjHVx9Wmh75wxpBU569cB0y53PFR6dnSKT8FOnkmZvKv4TLpG7KUDU/s1600/rollright-knight.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmyMc7dFXxqyA9qlP_TdfGn3lp29ay8_6BHZ2G7hla42gFHeo44W4O9eiEz6YIGsZTnC8Znbb3gCpwkmlvorITCjHVx9Wmh75wxpBU569cB0y53PFR6dnSKT8FOnkmZvKv4TLpG7KUDU/s400/rollright-knight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674428034075341618" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiS_xCKsG09wFjoVMTwGc5BFx4kdtecejl6gdUGT19cBPmvuWvRMFcvapocbYprFG0aau603JoCZjfBXLt9oqSUIy2xBLtbJSGLpj1UoGx6DmkbVD7JW1aV9ooEMgkYeJuvjNmz5ociUA/s1600/whispering-knight%252C-Rollright.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiS_xCKsG09wFjoVMTwGc5BFx4kdtecejl6gdUGT19cBPmvuWvRMFcvapocbYprFG0aau603JoCZjfBXLt9oqSUIy2xBLtbJSGLpj1UoGx6DmkbVD7JW1aV9ooEMgkYeJuvjNmz5ociUA/s400/whispering-knight%252C-Rollright.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674427733126872050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />In grand, royal solitude, on the other side of the road, stands the King Stone: the King whose men stand in a circle across the way and whose knights whisper conspiracies against him. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Here it is warmer, as a copse of trees acts as a wind break. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">More prosaically, little is known about this stone, except that it may be Bronze Age. Although only a minute's walk from the circle, the road splits the counties and this megalith stands in Warwickshire. </span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAK0JB_f066J7YCG2b8qElwKKbzlZsWTcWqcftAg-ddL9ZJAQ-IWW0Dl5HBN_gJsO3enkl42wYcGoOOneq77febBpFb8DlRCGBAuQeFNTly7-EzpO4zTRB059TvZkGE5Seac2sfEeL-hk/s1600/Rollrights-kings-men.jpg"><br /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-eO_tlpegGwVqJFtoV6YKM_jmwVQRKGhCPZyUYvoMPbEWo9Kk1bkOESBjJH2kawJsfdaKkFlNqrceYdA1GnM9DRYowvwsyIexQzNOzrNO9PSODTAB6W3aCKy2oy7uDdXUHdLtdJwRRw/s1600/King-Stone-Rollright.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-eO_tlpegGwVqJFtoV6YKM_jmwVQRKGhCPZyUYvoMPbEWo9Kk1bkOESBjJH2kawJsfdaKkFlNqrceYdA1GnM9DRYowvwsyIexQzNOzrNO9PSODTAB6W3aCKy2oy7uDdXUHdLtdJwRRw/s400/King-Stone-Rollright.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674428041682952210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>To read more fact - and legend - about the stones, please visit -</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.rollrightstones.co.uk/index.php/stones/">The Rollright Trust</a><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollright_Stones">Wiki entry for the Rollright Stones</a><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/features/360/rollright_stones.shtml">360 degree view of the King's Men stone circle (for a 'real' experience)</a><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.completely-cotswold.com/stones/stones.htm">Completely Cotswold - the Rollright Stones</a><blockquote></blockquote><br /></div><a style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWTqDRJ9ACHqj_FegYzgdYBviWmoXox3_KX4ENRWIYNqnt3-bVr_pRMw_IsEJ6XpXhmb5Y5lIieVjaVbDrQvJTcnlVBAByatplwE4KOQPXj8igROh0TIAjCiBoX4N15YB5GAAzDeHrS4/s1600/rollright-kings-men.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTntR3GwFps"><span style="font-family:arial;">Youtube video of the Summer Solstice at the Rollright Stones</span></a><blockquote></blockquote><a style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.twistedtree.org.uk/Cotswold%20Order%20of%20Druids.htm"><br />The Cotswold Order of Druids</a><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-15506789334070649612011-09-27T14:00:00.000-07:002011-09-28T06:04:12.873-07:00Sweeping & rolling<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN6gsJ9R897DWE7hucwDozPF3oEBhjfgcTPe7gmNWbxsQL-yKqwQL-WAR2I1GHuoQ6tbmFOu4NU-VxIVMc1AW4W6FOWtqa7rqvFSXHNX-nKSFQuRLPDuxEBnFdzdQ7Pptg3NNXocrRNw/s1600/Turkdean.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2Xpj6_GQUrgw14J3dsJRVvyR61nKIrhjGZ0HB42Zw6_vPo-OSIiTyGvihwzxo43TA8YhcE8xMVtAbAOA13xifu4k-x4eV0QyqKkL8fq5a8uqIbBhn-36n6gu98-ah_0zrDH94d6N7o4/s1600/Salperton-field.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2Xpj6_GQUrgw14J3dsJRVvyR61nKIrhjGZ0HB42Zw6_vPo-OSIiTyGvihwzxo43TA8YhcE8xMVtAbAOA13xifu4k-x4eV0QyqKkL8fq5a8uqIbBhn-36n6gu98-ah_0zrDH94d6N7o4/s400/Salperton-field.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657063363299782946" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Those precious late summer/early autumn days when there is faint tang in the air, yet it is still hot during the day.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguzPG5TIRglVcv1Ep1lTH6u-oP21HbsA1NHx7iUQCmF5aTPYeVGbVw8LIQKFARYuDszHJtgMf39ZgPkJOlgeJZUzS-ABdwnfS5Z3quQ9L3cwTlj9p4o8JGUnBzCZEz19x0L6V138ElTs/s1600/field-Salperton.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguzPG5TIRglVcv1Ep1lTH6u-oP21HbsA1NHx7iUQCmF5aTPYeVGbVw8LIQKFARYuDszHJtgMf39ZgPkJOlgeJZUzS-ABdwnfS5Z3quQ9L3cwTlj9p4o8JGUnBzCZEz19x0L6V138ElTs/s400/field-Salperton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657063361688443970" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Now that the cricket season is over, our days off can be spent rediscovering old and much loved tramping grounds.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwd4ygsl-XPseZ9X4AMyUgtleaWCZ0l-WR5sTcEzxYp4qbb7T0-J_kScPMFhsqdqA13j_lVGBLxqtAK3PITaCtELlBkazABNR6F6jEBHtoRJfOezlPsOdmRViWj4mIw9INk3OR3tKZpM/s1600/Valley-at-Turkdean.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwd4ygsl-XPseZ9X4AMyUgtleaWCZ0l-WR5sTcEzxYp4qbb7T0-J_kScPMFhsqdqA13j_lVGBLxqtAK3PITaCtELlBkazABNR6F6jEBHtoRJfOezlPsOdmRViWj4mIw9INk3OR3tKZpM/s400/Valley-at-Turkdean.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657069879526672242" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN6gsJ9R897DWE7hucwDozPF3oEBhjfgcTPe7gmNWbxsQL-yKqwQL-WAR2I1GHuoQ6tbmFOu4NU-VxIVMc1AW4W6FOWtqa7rqvFSXHNX-nKSFQuRLPDuxEBnFdzdQ7Pptg3NNXocrRNw/s1600/Turkdean.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN6gsJ9R897DWE7hucwDozPF3oEBhjfgcTPe7gmNWbxsQL-yKqwQL-WAR2I1GHuoQ6tbmFOu4NU-VxIVMc1AW4W6FOWtqa7rqvFSXHNX-nKSFQuRLPDuxEBnFdzdQ7Pptg3NNXocrRNw/s400/Turkdean.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657075525924759202" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">These are all snaps of the stunning scenery around the Salperton Estate. There are decent footpaths running around it and they lead one through majestic, bosomy fields and valleys.<br /><blockquote></blockquote><br /></span><blockquote><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></blockquote> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGbHrnCXblXDjVsvGfdhLBkAxAGiC5R4bvkDbA5o12ogTA3vr2JpTc-iJ37G-IyxpBiDO3uhsMoZ9k5qvcvL3amB5obfG78hrKTnRC92qgDf2SPlxLHPWN_kfXHTdn_Lm-Z-a_unJKos/s1600/Turkdean-view.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGbHrnCXblXDjVsvGfdhLBkAxAGiC5R4bvkDbA5o12ogTA3vr2JpTc-iJ37G-IyxpBiDO3uhsMoZ9k5qvcvL3amB5obfG78hrKTnRC92qgDf2SPlxLHPWN_kfXHTdn_Lm-Z-a_unJKos/s400/Turkdean-view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657063368985418994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><br />Above, our halfway stop, the picnic view.<br /><blockquote></blockquote><br /></span><blockquote></blockquote> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4p9VIzbrb1RX_xgYdtiCILB3xd2uyXU9SwGjKeNZJ0jlXZIAvAjMASii8AxqyF8HCB7ysyaXzirRUalbf7sRL5WRRupmLRxCU9dcji1vMdO-ic8-CzmdkBkV166NJ-_ZUYGQQ35w-lk/s1600/Drystone-wall%252C-Cotswolds.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4p9VIzbrb1RX_xgYdtiCILB3xd2uyXU9SwGjKeNZJ0jlXZIAvAjMASii8AxqyF8HCB7ysyaXzirRUalbf7sRL5WRRupmLRxCU9dcji1vMdO-ic8-CzmdkBkV166NJ-_ZUYGQQ35w-lk/s400/Drystone-wall%252C-Cotswolds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657063357990549042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><br />Our walk is a good four and a half miles and as it nears the end, so too the afternoon begins losing heat and the air starts to feel moist and chilly.<blockquote><br /></blockquote></span><blockquote></blockquote> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGq6cZe3TzSSmC4Qs0gBY4jeQ7Z0NkSYWHg4StHJ4cEl_27u0vcRKJjQR22FOq0-eHQWDoMw9CT_hehNhCeN7lPY6M_s7vKezSXP-8eWQtu9XSkQt2nLcK2f9c-tZCBONRlXkRSDPvFSg/s1600/Tree-at-Salperton.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGq6cZe3TzSSmC4Qs0gBY4jeQ7Z0NkSYWHg4StHJ4cEl_27u0vcRKJjQR22FOq0-eHQWDoMw9CT_hehNhCeN7lPY6M_s7vKezSXP-8eWQtu9XSkQt2nLcK2f9c-tZCBONRlXkRSDPvFSg/s400/Tree-at-Salperton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657068872475503922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><br />We finish our ramble in the estate proper, the frigidly grand Salperton House pretends that we commoners are not there. It keeps a proper and dignified distance.<blockquote><br /></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote></span><blockquote></blockquote> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjyonUXdkP7s8JzLqAUzBNn1Eswd-n6Rd9xjpUCuHt7qG466DexA-VGgmhXmYIBbXHp9GvunFrRa5kVjcEuNiP5ul-IwGSb_ZlhAVdBgIUY3Au2fkCPtMq7oBSBqBLVztg3AjJcqpXEA/s1600/Salperton-House.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjyonUXdkP7s8JzLqAUzBNn1Eswd-n6Rd9xjpUCuHt7qG466DexA-VGgmhXmYIBbXHp9GvunFrRa5kVjcEuNiP5ul-IwGSb_ZlhAVdBgIUY3Au2fkCPtMq7oBSBqBLVztg3AjJcqpXEA/s400/Salperton-House.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657063369463606498" border="0" /></a> </div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-61643241056746612392011-08-20T07:51:00.001-07:002011-08-21T08:43:55.060-07:00Thwarted at Cornwell<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsrVDVOr9HWziXTnaE1lTeDZAa_LdcauXDGX77wrSlFJHRaeeI8_plfSIlUrZPM5-lQV3N8m64CziRshdhbQ2SP4pYyuxY4Mw74JChnHFhTHMOZYUf2wBUaBhO0iSeU25NLSQPGfGLoo/s1600/corn-ricks-Oxfordshire.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsrVDVOr9HWziXTnaE1lTeDZAa_LdcauXDGX77wrSlFJHRaeeI8_plfSIlUrZPM5-lQV3N8m64CziRshdhbQ2SP4pYyuxY4Mw74JChnHFhTHMOZYUf2wBUaBhO0iSeU25NLSQPGfGLoo/s400/corn-ricks-Oxfordshire.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642953023402368146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">
<br />Autumn is every so gradually smearing a moist, dewy finger over the tail end of summer. But still we are getting glorious sunny days, made even more beautiful for the knowledge that they will soon be gone and winter will be making yet another unwelcome visit. Marjorie and I were long over due for a spin, so yesterday we headed over to investigate the little village of Cornwell (as in Cornwell, Oxfordshire, not Cornwall at the Westerly tail end of Britain). So good to be rolling gently along the lanes again.</span><blockquote></blockquote>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDIE8X_4mZwpM3uX15uNA55zrpIxAMtYUvmBfkFqYBaiiN_E1M2MQcLsbhaxTSDV9tdHJxn6PH8y0Lauq055KqxwhotYkCpJT3rfQS3K8tZ8xYaEU4F0s_yNLNe8vz_AVk2S38kmurgM/s1600/Cotswold-lane.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDIE8X_4mZwpM3uX15uNA55zrpIxAMtYUvmBfkFqYBaiiN_E1M2MQcLsbhaxTSDV9tdHJxn6PH8y0Lauq055KqxwhotYkCpJT3rfQS3K8tZ8xYaEU4F0s_yNLNe8vz_AVk2S38kmurgM/s400/Cotswold-lane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642953020494556210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>
<br />It's nearly eight miles away and there was a horribly long hill to climb up. We walked, up it, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, until we found a down bit. However, our visit was to be all too brief.</span><blockquote></blockquote>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvzaVoSB0qT68eaxlKunFWJwOYucrc-izodgEQ7x3ii6dWzGN4n35LJnIMHa9Ny2-z-3nTYTlb_dP9YV-NcdIHHH8lb0uX0xTEXDO8pnsOyxYMTPz3Hxq1ZP5YoNRMPLpVR986Ypq_eg/s1600/Cornwell-garden.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvzaVoSB0qT68eaxlKunFWJwOYucrc-izodgEQ7x3ii6dWzGN4n35LJnIMHa9Ny2-z-3nTYTlb_dP9YV-NcdIHHH8lb0uX0xTEXDO8pnsOyxYMTPz3Hxq1ZP5YoNRMPLpVR986Ypq_eg/s400/Cornwell-garden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642953018313905010" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>There is just one tiny road running into Cornwell, along the side and eventually leading to Moreton-in-the-Marsh. All a nosy wayfarer can see are tantalising glimpses of lovely gardens and gorgeous old houses.</span><blockquote></blockquote>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyhZDNXPDThyphenhyphendbcKYO46aMlJbF7raSz6tyMGim17lLRE5lon9-38OLLG-7BvPv74fBIATEU2ZtLvFFx2gGZd13HdluhiDm3nTop4YpzWnRaYautmzBTh5rl8De4FgBuR9kh-XQKBYKmE/s1600/large-house-at-Cornwell.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyhZDNXPDThyphenhyphendbcKYO46aMlJbF7raSz6tyMGim17lLRE5lon9-38OLLG-7BvPv74fBIATEU2ZtLvFFx2gGZd13HdluhiDm3nTop4YpzWnRaYautmzBTh5rl8De4FgBuR9kh-XQKBYKmE/s400/large-house-at-Cornwell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642951599089464594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">
<br /><blockquote></blockquote>Cornwell, I soon discovered, was pretty much off limits; the only lane I could see which led into the heart of it proclaimed belligerently that there was 'no public right of way - private!' So I passed along, taking what snaps I could and hoping that this at least was allowed and they would not set the dogs on me.</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetLJxITJoKD5-m4gxg7IoV2URFNyobdKbfyvN6EUFKVXWoToRqcT-w8noQeGiqaKZWILSSzzxk1RyjMiMf5MA2jqfepNzv-nz-RN8wflPT0XUTjnxyjI83cy7zJw35LEfO7vHAg4bXh8/s1600/cottage-in-Cornwell.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetLJxITJoKD5-m4gxg7IoV2URFNyobdKbfyvN6EUFKVXWoToRqcT-w8noQeGiqaKZWILSSzzxk1RyjMiMf5MA2jqfepNzv-nz-RN8wflPT0XUTjnxyjI83cy7zJw35LEfO7vHAg4bXh8/s400/cottage-in-Cornwell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642951591846384402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">
<br />Cornwell village is privately owned, part of the Cornwell Manor Estate, and as the </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.theaa.com/walks/churchill-and-cornwell-420814">AA walking guide</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> puts it, 'smugly holds on to its secrets'. Co-incidentally, it was worked on by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis, more famous for his pet project of the bizarrely wonderful village of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.portmeirion-village.com/">Portmerion in North Wales</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, which I recently visited. I would have loved to have seen some of his additions, but alas, it was not to be.<blockquote></blockquote></span><blockquote></blockquote>
<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzwmhFjNrxIRQwqmoYph3vBceStKJ8Tl5HG3SR2ypjRQeAGb_P7ZvYCaEZAimUOKMoRxMMur8SDDOZxm67zjAf7GgVJZ4VdXu5D-HUWKWgmYkIjV3L8VEa6Bc-JA45e4Z8r3mvVBAcbg/s1600/Lane-through-Cornwell.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzwmhFjNrxIRQwqmoYph3vBceStKJ8Tl5HG3SR2ypjRQeAGb_P7ZvYCaEZAimUOKMoRxMMur8SDDOZxm67zjAf7GgVJZ4VdXu5D-HUWKWgmYkIjV3L8VEa6Bc-JA45e4Z8r3mvVBAcbg/s400/Lane-through-Cornwell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642951602116669746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>
<br />So I wandered back through the only route accessible to me, taking a few furtive and unsatisfactory photographs. </span><blockquote></blockquote>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOrT7eUk5G9rXXA41_YNXzzqykegxyAVhV94VCe62XiFIlkU-pircSCgYGgqeW8PoXLOcmERDsPZTrReYo_Lo4LQbkGgj4RTpkTCOCYEQtr_r1kO0-kZ8E0D_BhOdEUmIthk_fwQHl6I/s1600/Garden-at-Cornwell.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOrT7eUk5G9rXXA41_YNXzzqykegxyAVhV94VCe62XiFIlkU-pircSCgYGgqeW8PoXLOcmERDsPZTrReYo_Lo4LQbkGgj4RTpkTCOCYEQtr_r1kO0-kZ8E0D_BhOdEUmIthk_fwQHl6I/s400/Garden-at-Cornwell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642951599279759234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br />Even this rickety old chicken hutch had to be shot with a zoom and me standing on tiptoe to get as little of the barbed-wired fence in as possible.</span><blockquote></blockquote>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4qF108619cihQdnEA9ZtUD8cqSfdpNnoyKWZbXE738rEQvBsGUxc2wQNqwu5ZzvBrelKSercWwY5hJQNe1M8a_0cMc26SPHG1S-nxOzxK2nvrNgWt30X5Ixup7G1OYchkYf-uApHiG4/s1600/rickety-old-chicken-shack.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4qF108619cihQdnEA9ZtUD8cqSfdpNnoyKWZbXE738rEQvBsGUxc2wQNqwu5ZzvBrelKSercWwY5hJQNe1M8a_0cMc26SPHG1S-nxOzxK2nvrNgWt30X5Ixup7G1OYchkYf-uApHiG4/s400/rickety-old-chicken-shack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642951277301412386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">
<br /><blockquote></blockquote>Feeling somewhat cheated, Marjorie and I pootled homewards, stopping for a rest at the generously proportioned village green at Kingham. Public to all and sundry, thankfully.</span><blockquote></blockquote>
<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiFmGQ1S83RYE3JxZQqS3AodRcIqZcLOBcq_8RfOPAAgPvM3-j44JmFq4jyqPJynocht345sqvQ8wS9MZ5h0_F7AiIcfTBW7XtWKEYuX3wpb3jMwX7ULBHJPTh0uy_DYv4186r8QAfP0/s1600/Kingham-Green.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiFmGQ1S83RYE3JxZQqS3AodRcIqZcLOBcq_8RfOPAAgPvM3-j44JmFq4jyqPJynocht345sqvQ8wS9MZ5h0_F7AiIcfTBW7XtWKEYuX3wpb3jMwX7ULBHJPTh0uy_DYv4186r8QAfP0/s400/Kingham-Green.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642951600214632770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">
<br /><blockquote></blockquote>In the end, an orchard with nice looking cows in it turned out to be the snapshot of the day. Later I discovered that there is a church on the far edge of Cornwell which I could have looked at, but I think next time I'll find somewhere more welcoming to visit.</span><blockquote></blockquote>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr31rP08toTAY3B1cRTgoIWdPtciazxGoUtoiI_7RNXg-KVX32AZ78KGnx6G7HeFlM7QHT8CwYhPjpFlfQAX5xtuAFQ6dYM3HQz9m57Gae5zLPuIa3augB9Dd4k8NYTSXYDghbhR-wiI/s1600/cows-in-orchard.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr31rP08toTAY3B1cRTgoIWdPtciazxGoUtoiI_7RNXg-KVX32AZ78KGnx6G7HeFlM7QHT8CwYhPjpFlfQAX5xtuAFQ6dYM3HQz9m57Gae5zLPuIa3augB9Dd4k8NYTSXYDghbhR-wiI/s400/cows-in-orchard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642951277277954962" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote>
<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">*Later edit - there is a little more on Cornwell with some pictures on </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://englishbuildings.blogspot.com/2009/01/cornwell-oxfordshire.html">this blogpost here</a><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span>
<br />
<br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-8904275177637445562011-07-17T08:06:00.000-07:002011-07-18T00:35:32.688-07:00The Doom at Oddington<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CfHf2VbHdpRvANIakcwrN7OIu9cSimqJKwZWjSyTHJ5ydCmKG1-1ong-10GIn_dQcknuoKD01OD4Rz62P3d4TQ05VVGsio7EowWnhc8kSr9vpT9equeeB34id6m_dzIDIEEdoc3mIm0/s1600/Lower-Oddington.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CfHf2VbHdpRvANIakcwrN7OIu9cSimqJKwZWjSyTHJ5ydCmKG1-1ong-10GIn_dQcknuoKD01OD4Rz62P3d4TQ05VVGsio7EowWnhc8kSr9vpT9equeeB34id6m_dzIDIEEdoc3mIm0/s400/Lower-Oddington.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630338320489680434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Tucked away on the edge of a small Cotswold village is a quite extraordinary church, though it you would not guess this from the outside. St Nicholas at Oddington. I cycled out on Marjorie recently to see for myself. The church is located outside the village, as it is no longer the central place of worship, the original village being abandoned in the early 18th century and located further up the hill, possibly due to the usual cause of the Black Death.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP_ibEdorisTY46GjbyTti1wjj_ne6nAxlbBOuw6quRCvfRdQq_CZ3vgHwxPz-9UIbn7Rgm9IpxMuYMDsjdYSIQDgzYBWS2lGXnKeCOX9i4n1hEhXlv_s2rXpvW7G7Q7jGh_Y7xryLko/s1600/Marjorie-at-Oddington.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP_ibEdorisTY46GjbyTti1wjj_ne6nAxlbBOuw6quRCvfRdQq_CZ3vgHwxPz-9UIbn7Rgm9IpxMuYMDsjdYSIQDgzYBWS2lGXnKeCOX9i4n1hEhXlv_s2rXpvW7G7Q7jGh_Y7xryLko/s400/Marjorie-at-Oddington.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630360494898296898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />Looking like a typically picturesque Cotswold church, it has an interesting graveyard and some unusual Restoration era tombstones, which are shown <a href="http://allaroundus.blogspot.com/2011/07/little-stone-feet.html">on my other blog here</a>.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREO-j8R7S4u9Px1ez_XgRpo1bTif5JYE2ca9LqezR1oCGTPV-rm0gaIMGhTrlaFVlqewUPAu9FGLo8jUk3NQIGCTqHdAbas5FNGU6uzpMchp-5rIk4H1jixezr2V8KL1ZvVuUv6I7858/s1600/St-Nicholas-church%252C-Oddingt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREO-j8R7S4u9Px1ez_XgRpo1bTif5JYE2ca9LqezR1oCGTPV-rm0gaIMGhTrlaFVlqewUPAu9FGLo8jUk3NQIGCTqHdAbas5FNGU6uzpMchp-5rIk4H1jixezr2V8KL1ZvVuUv6I7858/s400/St-Nicholas-church%252C-Oddingt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630343277718120914" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjaSUR7ad_TFlmuftJnUjtrHZt4POtNtufKGioWUVuJamFla0iRUvrR4_pXA_6_bmGEvTyjmaD63InBLNfqOB3du6kNlzk7WtiZYMLYkkQtfUFrj8wr_7toXg7aC7gJ_scrGrIQmJjOc/s1600/South-porch-st-nicholas-chu.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjaSUR7ad_TFlmuftJnUjtrHZt4POtNtufKGioWUVuJamFla0iRUvrR4_pXA_6_bmGEvTyjmaD63InBLNfqOB3du6kNlzk7WtiZYMLYkkQtfUFrj8wr_7toXg7aC7gJ_scrGrIQmJjOc/s400/South-porch-st-nicholas-chu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630362667373044898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>The South door inner archway is Norman and has an interesting serpents head detail at each end - maybe a reminder of why you are attending worship?</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfkYM4CVLcAlIRKZ0eWaCk9kfQzDBryNp6rYjUFz040BLLHVpoqLBUcQyPeti5sdZ14SyBp1QrYZRmxx-CL3gz8El3WmFhMj99dRqXhoDhyRZNBb0uY-ozCgEIhgDfsFZDzd3YL-LjhY/s1600/St-Nicholas%2527s-archway.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfkYM4CVLcAlIRKZ0eWaCk9kfQzDBryNp6rYjUFz040BLLHVpoqLBUcQyPeti5sdZ14SyBp1QrYZRmxx-CL3gz8El3WmFhMj99dRqXhoDhyRZNBb0uY-ozCgEIhgDfsFZDzd3YL-LjhY/s400/St-Nicholas%2527s-archway.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630338331568077010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw1qEbgNh9aFfN_UTZ2xqz2JrVb7TXvQlnVaL2yb9drFge6jY1tddgZqf4Wh4nMOezYYbxmJtmVzWfJ4JGGb1QilFq2D-sAUjbVKd3MVyEet4vaiEpVR61_wzDxq2kRYbrOW8msDr9vU/s1600/serpents-head%252C-church-archw.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw1qEbgNh9aFfN_UTZ2xqz2JrVb7TXvQlnVaL2yb9drFge6jY1tddgZqf4Wh4nMOezYYbxmJtmVzWfJ4JGGb1QilFq2D-sAUjbVKd3MVyEet4vaiEpVR61_wzDxq2kRYbrOW8msDr9vU/s400/serpents-head%252C-church-archw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630338327674656210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />The stone benches inside have deep grooves which are said to be where arrowheads were sharpened. (Churches this old were also commonly the main defensive building and weapons stored in the porch roof).</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2c4D296P1cpTrP25Jp3__3Bp1lgcYpSpzjNjDYsZ7Wu6eOWt7932c0Wo3kKD7O5oa3SaO0P3HQVhVJdqW3EfBVtAHyuNApBPWfthY7Tjj3RDUriSio3f6Rfv_9h431UsFXzRW70qIgg/s1600/stone-bench-%2526-arrow-marks.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2c4D296P1cpTrP25Jp3__3Bp1lgcYpSpzjNjDYsZ7Wu6eOWt7932c0Wo3kKD7O5oa3SaO0P3HQVhVJdqW3EfBVtAHyuNApBPWfthY7Tjj3RDUriSio3f6Rfv_9h431UsFXzRW70qIgg/s400/stone-bench-%2526-arrow-marks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630338336170031426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />So far, so quaint and historical. But when you enter the church proper, your breath is taken away by this -</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg6atngKxw0xg2za2v16gnz565sLYam-BZ9Bsha8sg7NKj80DOyEhEhCaIV427MsY8CtwP4mWLG4oT1lAATwirMEvJS8TfZ1_cR5C-pjhzoQSrzYyiI3_Kza5lNV9ll6aTFqGBPyBeq8/s1600/Doom-Oddington.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg6atngKxw0xg2za2v16gnz565sLYam-BZ9Bsha8sg7NKj80DOyEhEhCaIV427MsY8CtwP4mWLG4oT1lAATwirMEvJS8TfZ1_cR5C-pjhzoQSrzYyiI3_Kza5lNV9ll6aTFqGBPyBeq8/s400/Doom-Oddington.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630343255321225266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />What is thought to be our country's largest surviving Doom wall painting, dating to about 1340. I was literally rooted to the spot: imagine the effect it must have had on the original devout and largely illiterate Medieval congregation. Like all Dooms, this one shows in graphic and often lurid detail, the consequences of sin and the rewards of righteousness. The Godly are summoned to Heaven on Judgement Day by welcoming angels;<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqMz6eEKhVRz4btFCId4gpNcu7Q2sdaKNoyzeqne81rvX7A4hMIFp7FFqP3zcwUkrz-PLrTVphl6DXfwIM3GS_sqIQzYMlN_91XKFzax4J2FGWl-aw92T9ZAiicSYkLFzN0VfFGWgLxU/s1600/doom-oddington-detail.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqMz6eEKhVRz4btFCId4gpNcu7Q2sdaKNoyzeqne81rvX7A4hMIFp7FFqP3zcwUkrz-PLrTVphl6DXfwIM3GS_sqIQzYMlN_91XKFzax4J2FGWl-aw92T9ZAiicSYkLFzN0VfFGWgLxU/s400/doom-oddington-detail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630343269891647858" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfPsyoBAenbQUj-YtCe-wvcTG3YtoM2zPs-MC6AWFu46uWTD06tkIKKe3fY_SD_8qenOclc8LqZFFUmAgupKWImrH7-DF6JKwD8lBPjtDJsuEFy-4NNZIJskS0cbc-1edqVHKZMRpqMA/s1600/Doom-detail-Heaven.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfPsyoBAenbQUj-YtCe-wvcTG3YtoM2zPs-MC6AWFu46uWTD06tkIKKe3fY_SD_8qenOclc8LqZFFUmAgupKWImrH7-DF6JKwD8lBPjtDJsuEFy-4NNZIJskS0cbc-1edqVHKZMRpqMA/s400/Doom-detail-Heaven.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630348476566658514" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Christ sits over all in Glory.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZ5amcCSmxONLAIWh7jUyPxbkcklAhREsw0h-43jPWjmF6AKBzYXiE6yTUCWcQ7CFpQbzObIdh8YoP6eG8UT6LPOYvPVYZDoeJM5wN6JaZeQaFd7qhbTKVl2VdhPpUcQFqbYbwYzerOI/s1600/our-lord%252C-Doom.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZ5amcCSmxONLAIWh7jUyPxbkcklAhREsw0h-43jPWjmF6AKBzYXiE6yTUCWcQ7CFpQbzObIdh8YoP6eG8UT6LPOYvPVYZDoeJM5wN6JaZeQaFd7qhbTKVl2VdhPpUcQFqbYbwYzerOI/s400/our-lord%252C-Doom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630343274097070450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />For the Damned, sinister demons execute all manner of grisly tortures, to be endured for all eternity. Once you get used to looking at the (now) sombre tertiary tones it's quite easy to work out what torments are going on.<blockquote></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LVtdSnpS-xBEMN6yuDox5Wj4bU9jBFJOtFilpk82WEU5uYxsOrZS2Cu0STey1aD99vEW4wHbCg7jTXe_qaRWLmRYSxBrybph4u4lfZVzwj5dgHGNbOn4CSqWMlIBH9X375FzI3zU0M8/s1600/Doom-Hell-Oddington.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LVtdSnpS-xBEMN6yuDox5Wj4bU9jBFJOtFilpk82WEU5uYxsOrZS2Cu0STey1aD99vEW4wHbCg7jTXe_qaRWLmRYSxBrybph4u4lfZVzwj5dgHGNbOn4CSqWMlIBH9X375FzI3zU0M8/s400/Doom-Hell-Oddington.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630348479084952098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />This part of the Doom is of a later date (1520) and there has been some speculation as to what this figure represents. The church pamphlet suggests that it is a reference to a contemporary play by the writer </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Skelton">John Skelton</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, 'Magnificence' and it's various characters.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfcc2LkOVkcSIylywxmJpMvWNyrPp-zBx8V93WX9-9lpJg_vRw4of3PaVzkmcwLBou8HN0U2KwoD-PSa6idc1-BPKMOQF2ErN2snKujbSYC7TbxYarbuBWNElG_nZrkd0ev0ZBgFkTBE/s1600/Doom-detail-hell.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfcc2LkOVkcSIylywxmJpMvWNyrPp-zBx8V93WX9-9lpJg_vRw4of3PaVzkmcwLBou8HN0U2KwoD-PSa6idc1-BPKMOQF2ErN2snKujbSYC7TbxYarbuBWNElG_nZrkd0ev0ZBgFkTBE/s400/Doom-detail-hell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630343261789862786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />Seen with Jacobean pulpit nearby -</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIWITuLMviOkOn8fp1GdrEgKV4xhsqsFK4-PRh6pqntiUHzno44AB8RwZ9RNCXSvSIXr2ejRkNX4aqbMxB3VIQn6Xgw33GBsV5LRj6ohIkS2lcbAQfqInoDh7yGv5xjdeqFQweFIYbvo/s1600/Jacobean-pulpit.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIWITuLMviOkOn8fp1GdrEgKV4xhsqsFK4-PRh6pqntiUHzno44AB8RwZ9RNCXSvSIXr2ejRkNX4aqbMxB3VIQn6Xgw33GBsV5LRj6ohIkS2lcbAQfqInoDh7yGv5xjdeqFQweFIYbvo/s400/Jacobean-pulpit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630348476377268898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />Looking down towards the 'newer' Early English Chancel -</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdllgY0qBOGKMYPV7L44DSpVSNkQBzzdnh-k934TK4doWoFTR43BvAHENZgkkQV6MVMdKVatmjpruOmvBCpngU3C-r4PjSFBHgd_bCCkx8a4DNsyI8CZ1N_jfUjnbDjEw-G3PhTfM6Hgo/s1600/nave-st-nicholas-oddingtoni.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdllgY0qBOGKMYPV7L44DSpVSNkQBzzdnh-k934TK4doWoFTR43BvAHENZgkkQV6MVMdKVatmjpruOmvBCpngU3C-r4PjSFBHgd_bCCkx8a4DNsyI8CZ1N_jfUjnbDjEw-G3PhTfM6Hgo/s400/nave-st-nicholas-oddingtoni.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630362661699833138" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Elsewhere there are traces of more decorations on the Early English archways here - the vivid turquoise blue coming from copper salt pigment.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1wYf4ZWv4gJPgiF3OykMZzEGx6hPVAY4jkuEAzLdQMCl6h9adxTERpRzlt5aE-07taoxBM4goScDSLGNOtFogKSQ821Ahmm0U-CeXFEyqorAy5ZC3KM0iyRk-RXG5KtxMs6jlU3DWrA/s1600/St-Nicholas-interior.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1wYf4ZWv4gJPgiF3OykMZzEGx6hPVAY4jkuEAzLdQMCl6h9adxTERpRzlt5aE-07taoxBM4goScDSLGNOtFogKSQ821Ahmm0U-CeXFEyqorAy5ZC3KM0iyRk-RXG5KtxMs6jlU3DWrA/s400/St-Nicholas-interior.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630353811814503122" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dJbLipfF2KlhVk42kL8fc3aUjB__Q8L0lJOomn521cat_5nXMet8awuM2qzyFeWdD1uvceUU5N-_LS9hVN3KoFhQbGphpitIFVI9QCw10Z6fR6288t-HwVTRE3AiJJ8c_9Zr9OccABo/s1600/Archway-painting.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dJbLipfF2KlhVk42kL8fc3aUjB__Q8L0lJOomn521cat_5nXMet8awuM2qzyFeWdD1uvceUU5N-_LS9hVN3KoFhQbGphpitIFVI9QCw10Z6fR6288t-HwVTRE3AiJJ8c_9Zr9OccABo/s400/Archway-painting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630348471172655314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><br />But the Doom is not the oldest paintings to be found here - they are inside what was the original Saxon nave (where I am standing to take this photo) and chancel, and is now the South Chapel. It's easy to see how small and intimate it once was. (Note the old gurney, just to the right, a cheery little reminder of one's own mortality).</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkl5MDiO5B_Pr_73OnhS2yC9eBcvxAIuVWWWfeMF6GHOUkAXwSQa2Iy9PvJSHum209PlSSpQ3CB-DbyLmnqMsT8kd1PrpXk79LEaUDWuDqKKFUXzQYI7Ur8Rxl-SclPKny_qelRk9ZyBg/s1600/South-Chapel-st-nicholas.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkl5MDiO5B_Pr_73OnhS2yC9eBcvxAIuVWWWfeMF6GHOUkAXwSQa2Iy9PvJSHum209PlSSpQ3CB-DbyLmnqMsT8kd1PrpXk79LEaUDWuDqKKFUXzQYI7Ur8Rxl-SclPKny_qelRk9ZyBg/s400/South-Chapel-st-nicholas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630353818685176866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />Inside the chancel which is also the bell tower and if you look beyond you can see on the far wall, to the right, some pale patterning. The first altar stone is still there as well.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao0p9r94ODRMvApYWCRwxZNRKcOj6eVRJHE9b2v-ukgMEvADIbZ7DypAxxoJAoawSzyTiq_LMO4YSsi7mNJEtWHfV6T5dXM4vunkrYZjLD-6ITqx9DbpEnIX71a__iOF4_5uXOP5vD2g/s1600/St-Nicholas%2527s-south-chapel.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao0p9r94ODRMvApYWCRwxZNRKcOj6eVRJHE9b2v-ukgMEvADIbZ7DypAxxoJAoawSzyTiq_LMO4YSsi7mNJEtWHfV6T5dXM4vunkrYZjLD-6ITqx9DbpEnIX71a__iOF4_5uXOP5vD2g/s400/St-Nicholas%2527s-south-chapel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630353810377194594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>A closer look shows trellis work and faces - as with all my photos, they are quite large, so do click on for detail.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwHZyQ1CxSThu2WOXr2VQ_7_BFFlXKIYKQM_vFDRqBFLa1kgJAt9iBwOtZ0j92yY1QRGooGQkkS5ZKDW6nqgJOxxlII7G90L5Dn5oVHrQ8EEnKHe7w6ddVg2iD8U6r5jv6N7pYvodpPI/s1600/South-chapel-wall-paintings.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwHZyQ1CxSThu2WOXr2VQ_7_BFFlXKIYKQM_vFDRqBFLa1kgJAt9iBwOtZ0j92yY1QRGooGQkkS5ZKDW6nqgJOxxlII7G90L5Dn5oVHrQ8EEnKHe7w6ddVg2iD8U6r5jv6N7pYvodpPI/s400/South-chapel-wall-paintings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630353820231458962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />There are always many layers to a church, and sometimes more recent relics can be just as touching as the antiquities - I love this little bell ringer's prayer, maybe about 30-40 years old, and probably barely moved since the day it was placed there.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgph7Fd1Y-eNAOSQq8HwIFsgfviWSDzPKmi9f-D9hkTb298sTAblNS32giwzlPpc5i0DC6lDtIHHGu5AdvY56Da_Wtc6BE3XNqWSBNPNngYpo03QaQ7qZumXOjhxh5NQATFFKJcDIULf9E/s1600/bell-ringers-prayer.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgph7Fd1Y-eNAOSQq8HwIFsgfviWSDzPKmi9f-D9hkTb298sTAblNS32giwzlPpc5i0DC6lDtIHHGu5AdvY56Da_Wtc6BE3XNqWSBNPNngYpo03QaQ7qZumXOjhxh5NQATFFKJcDIULf9E/s400/bell-ringers-prayer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630366110563749890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />And another *recent* treasure, this screen separating the old South Chapel from the main nave, looks quite plain and unremarkable, until you learn that it was made by </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Waals">Peter Van der Waals</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, an Arts and Crafts craftsman who worked in the Cotswolds at the beginning of the 20th century. As the church was being restored at this time, 1912, it must have been part of the restoration process, but I am speculating here.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDWTcBrNxLg97kPerL2Dpo48vYkBM5ATSqt89iut1AsXUnJ1ovb2XNteMOZApDseOJ1P1amRipFDQBw2dt0IObVs67T5NXuzKbmbmKk3Q8tntlUcfilb0XujZ4HkKPLY73uBmNvvoFXE/s1600/peter-van-der-walls-screen.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDWTcBrNxLg97kPerL2Dpo48vYkBM5ATSqt89iut1AsXUnJ1ovb2XNteMOZApDseOJ1P1amRipFDQBw2dt0IObVs67T5NXuzKbmbmKk3Q8tntlUcfilb0XujZ4HkKPLY73uBmNvvoFXE/s400/peter-van-der-walls-screen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630367537304240722" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />After a very long time of pottering and wonderment, Marjorie and I cycled back towards Oddington. What had been a clear blue summer sky was now clouding over and we had eight miles to cover.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgvmcXarBXQN6dXbYzg47ShROfKxMnk7DOsrAEZ8TYiJOqrNSovgJuzyw3Z283hC5su8SvETb8PZ19nnTaoxqy8EYQFk7ucWaT09uAf1tyyAHTIA-5knl84ednHinMVPGFzm5KfxjeiA/s1600/Lower-Oddington-lane.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgvmcXarBXQN6dXbYzg47ShROfKxMnk7DOsrAEZ8TYiJOqrNSovgJuzyw3Z283hC5su8SvETb8PZ19nnTaoxqy8EYQFk7ucWaT09uAf1tyyAHTIA-5knl84ednHinMVPGFzm5KfxjeiA/s400/Lower-Oddington-lane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630338320851413922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Needless to say we didn't make it. Two miles from home, the rain caught up with us. I arrived home drenched, but happy.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1ql9Az5L12dDdP9R9BKIwb5bogqZE1LOgQXfJ8q8eB0fMT1OSbX66AHPk5zgCYchcgy8g2NwaDfn4OPOPtmK9hxqIoyeIuEVcQwEkO2psz7SOLH1Dr0b0fS3KscgEQCflpSbVkOXJ6c/s1600/Cotswold-stormy-sky.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1ql9Az5L12dDdP9R9BKIwb5bogqZE1LOgQXfJ8q8eB0fMT1OSbX66AHPk5zgCYchcgy8g2NwaDfn4OPOPtmK9hxqIoyeIuEVcQwEkO2psz7SOLH1Dr0b0fS3KscgEQCflpSbVkOXJ6c/s400/Cotswold-stormy-sky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630360493402596146" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">For more reading on the marvellous church and it's paintings, </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/oddington-st-nicholas-church.htm">please visit here</a><span style="font-family:arial;">.</span><br /></div><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-26478317995970946172011-04-21T11:06:00.000-07:002011-04-22T01:32:26.846-07:00A sacred gem<div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5WRyhi4B00UthIXWZpOPwFW90hG9wNZe3WRPPbzLcVdj6eh4WHWJzVo3RSVlohpp6KCxJr5_uxB_udUbmsnNBDXq4pvnzZMmu3n4kQrq3ou3fSBiEOXT8W2GWZdLEPdosUBoHQmx32o/s1600/St-Andrew%2527s-Church%252C-Sevenhampton.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5WRyhi4B00UthIXWZpOPwFW90hG9wNZe3WRPPbzLcVdj6eh4WHWJzVo3RSVlohpp6KCxJr5_uxB_udUbmsnNBDXq4pvnzZMmu3n4kQrq3ou3fSBiEOXT8W2GWZdLEPdosUBoHQmx32o/s400/St-Andrew%2527s-Church%252C-Sevenhampton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595840133027818626" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />We are quite spoilt for delightful little churches in the UK - almost every village and small town has an old and interesting place of worship, many of which have been around for the best part of a thousand years or more. But sometimes we find unexpected gems, often in the smallest and most tucked away of places. Such is St Andrew's in the Cotswold village of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66469">Sevenhampton</a><span style="font-family:arial;">. Although it has Norman origins, the tower is of a later build, 'Early English' - or, more simply, the Medieval period. It also has a octagonal stairway running up it, which is visible from outside. You would have to be tiny - or from another century - to get up it without some discomfort.<blockquote></blockquote><br /></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ub2U9PKFQa74xJnXyrBfyLtdkSG3ANnetl5B-Eut5fMjCNmrCiJ10lYlYnA7Ata0ueYMA_0kzB8V7cpT1mVywlG07NqM3C6ITB7ALUY-iMfBT4sao51gbwQWQPh-9f46CQtn636NgRw/s1600/Stairwell-in-tower%252C-St-Andr.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ub2U9PKFQa74xJnXyrBfyLtdkSG3ANnetl5B-Eut5fMjCNmrCiJ10lYlYnA7Ata0ueYMA_0kzB8V7cpT1mVywlG07NqM3C6ITB7ALUY-iMfBT4sao51gbwQWQPh-9f46CQtn636NgRw/s400/Stairwell-in-tower%252C-St-Andr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595843766152090178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The tower was a later addition, courtesy of a wool merchant John Camber who stipulated in his will that whatever parish he died in, there he would be buried and the church benefit. So the tower was built in his honour in 1497, but necessitated inner supports; to see flying buttresses on a church this small would be unusual - to see them inside is, in my limited opinion, nothing short of astonishing. Looking down the nave, you can just see the diagonals propping up the tower.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRIcHeulY6sxdqC5Af-GOKo27ivUy3V65PzppKesTUO7bcQHH49g3Oh5bjaHMydhZAp3hIRa6qBJVXcpnPK-_lLdJkObB2RYA7aQa-HgjL61iK2KHP_NYbR4bfbfSIgXzmH2Tv-FZGSQ/s1600/St-Andrew%2527s%252C-Sevenhampton%252C-i.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRIcHeulY6sxdqC5Af-GOKo27ivUy3V65PzppKesTUO7bcQHH49g3Oh5bjaHMydhZAp3hIRa6qBJVXcpnPK-_lLdJkObB2RYA7aQa-HgjL61iK2KHP_NYbR4bfbfSIgXzmH2Tv-FZGSQ/s400/St-Andrew%2527s%252C-Sevenhampton%252C-i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595840124558820946" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdsARUI3qy1_ub1NjNMwiqYYvilcAHqFDagY_xFb7VFFNmqGz0lgZXG23yT1LvlAHdqPaCLIhVqWrZmEUJl3pQNqdXusiRVGkyqp7Os5h95-7vHMs9AgPvUdKwtuQnZ3jRddnx0YufOY/s1600/Interior-flying-buttresses%252C.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdsARUI3qy1_ub1NjNMwiqYYvilcAHqFDagY_xFb7VFFNmqGz0lgZXG23yT1LvlAHdqPaCLIhVqWrZmEUJl3pQNqdXusiRVGkyqp7Os5h95-7vHMs9AgPvUdKwtuQnZ3jRddnx0YufOY/s400/Interior-flying-buttresses%252C.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595840118175227026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>The South side buttress -<br /><blockquote></blockquote><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHPg4n_6TZVScoO2WBRBUBHBl5zfHGsSuwLKc8oJiOMF5MEqBRpGUi2M30lRwsq3vqIteKAHl7eahI9YY5kcJV0ugiE8f59Ecywu8RTFb5DNk4gEbDnNop3r-BwyXB2DzfF15nYQWvN4/s1600/flying-buttress%252C-st-andrews.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHPg4n_6TZVScoO2WBRBUBHBl5zfHGsSuwLKc8oJiOMF5MEqBRpGUi2M30lRwsq3vqIteKAHl7eahI9YY5kcJV0ugiE8f59Ecywu8RTFb5DNk4gEbDnNop3r-BwyXB2DzfF15nYQWvN4/s400/flying-buttress%252C-st-andrews.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595848259052293362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />The North side buttress<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67MpftxyiMhTIdXLg_Gn0JPf8oHC5Y8rEAEpcDpeGUs3S6TU54JRRiWbFV5FEoJDqgiPCzmI5TODctrf_gYcCldW1j9kdUC64-GsQuRWudQMX8mUSwCzey8zlfANk9Lgzd_1K99y-6ng/s1600/North-side%252C-st-andrew%2527s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67MpftxyiMhTIdXLg_Gn0JPf8oHC5Y8rEAEpcDpeGUs3S6TU54JRRiWbFV5FEoJDqgiPCzmI5TODctrf_gYcCldW1j9kdUC64-GsQuRWudQMX8mUSwCzey8zlfANk9Lgzd_1K99y-6ng/s400/North-side%252C-st-andrew%2527s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595848261940618946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote><br /></blockquote>View of both buttresses from the North side. Disused Charles 11 font (17th Century) visible -<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIrzv2rjcG7KsvTEUhM2yZDknbIYa6H4hJIsmUlCIx7aaIM18El5g8b8S2PqdiumWjHHKMlJB0DEmYnRhCE8sqfXuiE1qUkEPHuhWLds32-57RyZSIN4zCdhJpVTDQcm5K9HFyOxGnJM/s1600/charles-11-font.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIrzv2rjcG7KsvTEUhM2yZDknbIYa6H4hJIsmUlCIx7aaIM18El5g8b8S2PqdiumWjHHKMlJB0DEmYnRhCE8sqfXuiE1qUkEPHuhWLds32-57RyZSIN4zCdhJpVTDQcm5K9HFyOxGnJM/s400/charles-11-font.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595849491535214786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>The tower itself is small but impressive, with simple fan vaulting. This is also the bell tower, housing three bells, the earliest dating from sometime in the 15th century, the most recent on from the 18th. A mere stripling.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dUrpQWvzWhze1U8D3L0OrQPe1-cWbqvHfBd_9uBbF_ROOZqJa5-QQ8VXkjIWRkNVP0dxyzjt9osqv9DMOAzYX3-bMKvdKv9pgUJ4eiHbPqZWwOClQs4KshyQuZPim4GUXRJiedYsKfc/s1600/St-Andrew%2527s-Church%252C-Sevenha.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dUrpQWvzWhze1U8D3L0OrQPe1-cWbqvHfBd_9uBbF_ROOZqJa5-QQ8VXkjIWRkNVP0dxyzjt9osqv9DMOAzYX3-bMKvdKv9pgUJ4eiHbPqZWwOClQs4KshyQuZPim4GUXRJiedYsKfc/s400/St-Andrew%2527s-Church%252C-Sevenha.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595840126470112930" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />For me, even more fascinating than the buttresses, was the concealed mensa stone, the old original altar - many of these mensa's were removed (and hidden) during the </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.historyonthenet.com/Tudors/the_reformation.htm">16th century Reformation</a><span style="font-family:arial;">. Some have since been replaced, but this one became part of a '</span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagioscope">squint</a><span style="font-family:arial;">' - it is very low, as the floor was raised at some later date. The mensa at St Andrews forms the top of the squint -<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAFVUYfkjOJ4SagykLHtbm21ZwF-fID7UtXXJsU6CPqzca7mTeZFPkxVjQ4QXnXoP3PV_VYbBX0GaqwWuD1iiDnkMQX7eIaVwNYdI6ZcNgIm21H6dAkgV9jAw9P3DJf40zbiyFVrkwCU/s1600/mensa-in-squint.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAFVUYfkjOJ4SagykLHtbm21ZwF-fID7UtXXJsU6CPqzca7mTeZFPkxVjQ4QXnXoP3PV_VYbBX0GaqwWuD1iiDnkMQX7eIaVwNYdI6ZcNgIm21H6dAkgV9jAw9P3DJf40zbiyFVrkwCU/s400/mensa-in-squint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595854742602537026" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />By holding my camera inside, I was able to take a couple of (blurry) shots of two of the five consecration crosses inscribed on what would have been the altar top.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdh8illg8LtJSvhVCGeuXXjzgR82DhLdS4hWr2aq5486ZpXQxEfEmvbE0FqzXKVc6JBa_gvyGbDaS0av6GZfh-O-8oTCd1q0PeZQCdLEElgFojcng1h7sNAjcQGbZCbNe7jdMCJT8LznM/s1600/consecration-cross.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdh8illg8LtJSvhVCGeuXXjzgR82DhLdS4hWr2aq5486ZpXQxEfEmvbE0FqzXKVc6JBa_gvyGbDaS0av6GZfh-O-8oTCd1q0PeZQCdLEElgFojcng1h7sNAjcQGbZCbNe7jdMCJT8LznM/s400/consecration-cross.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595854734948847650" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBCrr27WqiFJvyOx0MKhIaGCZtSwchZyxSfLbDUiNqUmuB-seykEQqY2GC3ZkhYjc7GgI-6Wg0phsZ0qqonuLmsgDkXioRUFY1NcvClv_jB3IbP_f9ZEXrwRsEZIejBe2fd8iP4FmvKU/s1600/consecration-cross%252C-mensa.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBCrr27WqiFJvyOx0MKhIaGCZtSwchZyxSfLbDUiNqUmuB-seykEQqY2GC3ZkhYjc7GgI-6Wg0phsZ0qqonuLmsgDkXioRUFY1NcvClv_jB3IbP_f9ZEXrwRsEZIejBe2fd8iP4FmvKU/s400/consecration-cross%252C-mensa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595855151355785442" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />What I love about our churches is their unpretentiousness. Despite their antiquity and historic pedigree, they are still places of worship and although loved, cared for and continually restored, they are often appear somewhat 'lived in'; things are stashed away, biros and sweets left in a favourite pew, always a box of old toys tucked away to keep little ones quiet during service. Sometimes they form quite beautiful, if unintentional, still lives.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVfRK50zxWPybATI7jGC1iB4LN9fb9axIzqAGon4y0PgehLK1ct_vJWO4m_IUaLk_p9IcefJk57vj3GmsAOcmSM8Jv2o3piPGXb5CM_eWyu7y28YmrWUjF00l3yRQLuACwm27H3v0frc/s1600/pottery-pitchers.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVfRK50zxWPybATI7jGC1iB4LN9fb9axIzqAGon4y0PgehLK1ct_vJWO4m_IUaLk_p9IcefJk57vj3GmsAOcmSM8Jv2o3piPGXb5CM_eWyu7y28YmrWUjF00l3yRQLuACwm27H3v0frc/s400/pottery-pitchers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595864620457241410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Sometimes it is as if the spirits of past worshippers look down from the very walls...<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtWuZj0Z-MC09BLN475KHI53j3zfcafZ_i-nyqNINoDXVa8GTv7_Y2QPV1wgZC192ZCFZPGrElbLoNEzRLHdWc5XUl0XP_giiBhqp4IfoUgZyPKt_0nLfabB-WyfJbMjQ3MiMofy9STg/s1600/painted-creeds.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtWuZj0Z-MC09BLN475KHI53j3zfcafZ_i-nyqNINoDXVa8GTv7_Y2QPV1wgZC192ZCFZPGrElbLoNEzRLHdWc5XUl0XP_giiBhqp4IfoUgZyPKt_0nLfabB-WyfJbMjQ3MiMofy9STg/s400/painted-creeds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595877057270389266" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />...and the gradual process of centuries of aging renders a humble, rustic Medieval stoup into something quite divine.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bavM6_L5gcO0fSUefAYRQlt7Fyj1EjVuVEJLIJuZmzB0ZaJPTFAKe7DYengQc10mVtwQQT2iFxhldepkUj3uB33tt12bPolHA32dXuSp1JLJ3Ddk8wHqgZP6LJsFbmB4jNkjAa052IA/s1600/medieval-stoup.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bavM6_L5gcO0fSUefAYRQlt7Fyj1EjVuVEJLIJuZmzB0ZaJPTFAKe7DYengQc10mVtwQQT2iFxhldepkUj3uB33tt12bPolHA32dXuSp1JLJ3Ddk8wHqgZP6LJsFbmB4jNkjAa052IA/s400/medieval-stoup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595877053189191682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Now we leave St Andrews and continue our walk, looking back for a final glimpse.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3WFrMznIrnr2fccAZYL4MFpup9A57WDHpTeutip_vLYhBxRKH6G98wG5gK0G-RbDvoC_y3dI_7K09vTnW475VeupQd4lGOrKbxX979LB7MUCgMjOB7ufw333wPW_wxi7RqZE3FGzgpg/s1600/Sevenhampton.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3WFrMznIrnr2fccAZYL4MFpup9A57WDHpTeutip_vLYhBxRKH6G98wG5gK0G-RbDvoC_y3dI_7K09vTnW475VeupQd4lGOrKbxX979LB7MUCgMjOB7ufw333wPW_wxi7RqZE3FGzgpg/s400/Sevenhampton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595880822226942706" border="0" /></a> </div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-50019459994641643212011-04-06T08:44:00.000-07:002011-04-07T02:09:21.564-07:00Cycling to the butchers<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugu58JpwG4e8nzYE1f6RUitaaaADywKPnJz16dK-cWgFs2DoE1pbuqhz69cdvmPGbZRGvgLCO87ZRdPN40rNAZmd5OZIj0CcUnjIC0trtuAyZcDNY2dvx4J2HDL_ZnH9v4oLMhquz31o/s1600/Egg-honesty-box.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugu58JpwG4e8nzYE1f6RUitaaaADywKPnJz16dK-cWgFs2DoE1pbuqhz69cdvmPGbZRGvgLCO87ZRdPN40rNAZmd5OZIj0CcUnjIC0trtuAyZcDNY2dvx4J2HDL_ZnH9v4oLMhquz31o/s400/Egg-honesty-box.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592512475661294114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />Has it really been two months? Apologies to everyone and thank you for waiting! But spring is here and today Marjorie and I took ourselves off for a shopping trip. First we stopped to get some eggs from a nearby honesty box. Then we began our trek to the butchers, out of the village and across the way, through winding lanes - can you see the tail of this one snaking away to the background?</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9U7vtMCWLkl4KYNwCql9TvSrGrMDwaofvOj5Gw_UTfnzfVcLeCvhRpBIAH4R3npL3CfIs_tZKa50u4zxmEXKdHUpHJ4lMBKvyHm3ainc0mDawqPEbhqPftV2F-szQ275liBBAOf3hUc/s1600/Lane-to-Sarsden.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9U7vtMCWLkl4KYNwCql9TvSrGrMDwaofvOj5Gw_UTfnzfVcLeCvhRpBIAH4R3npL3CfIs_tZKa50u4zxmEXKdHUpHJ4lMBKvyHm3ainc0mDawqPEbhqPftV2F-szQ275liBBAOf3hUc/s400/Lane-to-Sarsden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592512473090300882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />This stretch is a long old grind uphill, never mind that there are pretty cottages to admire (</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >which I could not afford the mortgage of if I sold every single on of my internal organs and then som</span><span style="font-family:arial;">e).</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-GEiHQ5L3QyTyKAGFYMF-uLnxpZNFAp70ZIOb9yfFosnrZ2bLuPd7HGpZ-DY638Q7xAkYV6-IczGSFgyhCiniXFLfEH9q-0N2Fv-1iRUBrjzpXvmtaUR6D4rQyZi7lmqPTTV88sDd-8/s1600/Cotswold-cottages.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-GEiHQ5L3QyTyKAGFYMF-uLnxpZNFAp70ZIOb9yfFosnrZ2bLuPd7HGpZ-DY638Q7xAkYV6-IczGSFgyhCiniXFLfEH9q-0N2Fv-1iRUBrjzpXvmtaUR6D4rQyZi7lmqPTTV88sDd-8/s400/Cotswold-cottages.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592511521454514210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>There is about a mile of slog until we reach the war memorial and I dismount. A bit of gentle pushing is called for.</span><br /><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvec1LIyUJNLFzOVEZbpoJwGej_I3VhtqIpjN39zfc36timCw9fKnbtZYPPF5hMFg5QbveG5y2Whp2qe7KC4BfMIUgbIe45kOyZV3H4oSrqE3cU5H8ngKP89mpjp6BW5fjQLLFxmo8wg/s1600/Sarsden-memorial.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvec1LIyUJNLFzOVEZbpoJwGej_I3VhtqIpjN39zfc36timCw9fKnbtZYPPF5hMFg5QbveG5y2Whp2qe7KC4BfMIUgbIe45kOyZV3H4oSrqE3cU5H8ngKP89mpjp6BW5fjQLLFxmo8wg/s400/Sarsden-memorial.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592511514311718002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />After a long, cold, winter, the Cotswolds are finally waking up.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEq5UURe1_XgwjyKUwC6oST52j7U3-IfdM6swoDcjH3sm1hjYScp8Sl2pURDG5IJuSLksQPvX5XcKdGEkZfnBRxucTPht4CT0w6YNeMcuPYdI1Pdxm2lQSbhnTIqfq4GHa_6BGRFNSFw/s1600/Cotswold-panorama.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEq5UURe1_XgwjyKUwC6oST52j7U3-IfdM6swoDcjH3sm1hjYScp8Sl2pURDG5IJuSLksQPvX5XcKdGEkZfnBRxucTPht4CT0w6YNeMcuPYdI1Pdxm2lQSbhnTIqfq4GHa_6BGRFNSFw/s400/Cotswold-panorama.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592511510734990690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />Which way shall we go?</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpsaFdrkA_rFobYZ_G1mrVKSP7mTrA6U_S2jtT8p3rSjxIfpX3e3i-ReZNA68teg1Zqt8z8Ojgm4Alt8C7gmceaVPGETIVH2lqXcurtiMoK8lLCkz1K_4KdISNDH4bfyYo-mMqWl90Bc/s1600/Sarsden-crossroads.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpsaFdrkA_rFobYZ_G1mrVKSP7mTrA6U_S2jtT8p3rSjxIfpX3e3i-ReZNA68teg1Zqt8z8Ojgm4Alt8C7gmceaVPGETIVH2lqXcurtiMoK8lLCkz1K_4KdISNDH4bfyYo-mMqWl90Bc/s400/Sarsden-crossroads.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592511509315350306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />Down here? Lovely little tempting track which sadly leads nowhere in particular. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJRDeYSsZUiJXBTlMHylVzeHNKpTLenB3FOqAWEaYPZULfs8rwo7_0S1Ybn_3ufRFkC7_EX8PzShkEk9vGeK1xD_sKc1WySxeOc1aPztpgE__fmDVI78C4bkMXkf5dKhWaw9tg34wjGY/s1600/Cotswold-track.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJRDeYSsZUiJXBTlMHylVzeHNKpTLenB3FOqAWEaYPZULfs8rwo7_0S1Ybn_3ufRFkC7_EX8PzShkEk9vGeK1xD_sKc1WySxeOc1aPztpgE__fmDVI78C4bkMXkf5dKhWaw9tg34wjGY/s400/Cotswold-track.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592514504148750674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />We must turn right and, oh dear, another long slope up. We walk to the summit - after all, it is a gorgeous day to be out and about.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CgIYvQyLzx0RlajFEVJemRaoq7WRPsqaESvseESC58OueAXJgjfQru7rJI2juVMFRFcDVyRNodW_Mf3o1W__S468GgW3k0cjsjyjG-Ompn_6sY4L5eUbZslS34nneKB2TRhD2zngZ0Q/s1600/uphill-out-of-Sarsden.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CgIYvQyLzx0RlajFEVJemRaoq7WRPsqaESvseESC58OueAXJgjfQru7rJI2juVMFRFcDVyRNodW_Mf3o1W__S468GgW3k0cjsjyjG-Ompn_6sY4L5eUbZslS34nneKB2TRhD2zngZ0Q/s400/uphill-out-of-Sarsden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592514948356650626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><br />Finally we cross a busy road and begin a mile long leisurely spin downhill all the way - </span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLiMo_ULN1lXFlYQV2N_ocdiJmcbZ4jhh3mm7Ss8V3boo500MBcZ00Kj06q7D42H3TrbQQ6hWHePw2mLgUf5X4BZjr-aDW-thZYI34N2puYxXaXdCvZZrGcX2O4nQ_ZpmjxvQAT8ILik/s1600/Hill-to-Chadlington.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLiMo_ULN1lXFlYQV2N_ocdiJmcbZ4jhh3mm7Ss8V3boo500MBcZ00Kj06q7D42H3TrbQQ6hWHePw2mLgUf5X4BZjr-aDW-thZYI34N2puYxXaXdCvZZrGcX2O4nQ_ZpmjxvQAT8ILik/s400/Hill-to-Chadlington.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592511504057665682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />- to the pretty village where we will do our shopping.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOTlm2We42nEIo3iGrExKNjeGqVY2Y3ybPilsFN_Bf2784jajAaw8C6vIr2sKwX6tJyDRZIaSW9PYv_ko8VCIToGWtDaohBVFPkmZ8bJHBlbM7o3WDkihSGTqUW4dGRvvcJsrq1sMsGs/s1600/Into-Chadlington.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOTlm2We42nEIo3iGrExKNjeGqVY2Y3ybPilsFN_Bf2784jajAaw8C6vIr2sKwX6tJyDRZIaSW9PYv_ko8VCIToGWtDaohBVFPkmZ8bJHBlbM7o3WDkihSGTqUW4dGRvvcJsrq1sMsGs/s400/Into-Chadlington.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592505968347195234" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.chadlington.com/slatters"></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.chadlington.com/slatters">Slatters Butchers</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, the best kept secret in West Oxfordshire; free range and local meat at affordable prices. For this I have cycled seven miles. Inside in the cool, I fan myself rapidly as I order a small free range chicken, home made pork sausages and some neck of lamb (thrifty), while chatting to the lovely butcher about running marathons (him) and half dying from exhaustion (me). </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOJ41Q_0UQeTLya8JMiUgesn6WUwy0lvb128KrtZiqcPk0YvWDtjuYCbhsTO-4tg-D3ouu-k_NRPN3PykwDmrseJsNtog8tCrJ5y39pZq0_Un6iIeTGtUpJuf4SvofBvIsRzQ21Zi67E/s1600/Slatters-butchers-chadlingt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOJ41Q_0UQeTLya8JMiUgesn6WUwy0lvb128KrtZiqcPk0YvWDtjuYCbhsTO-4tg-D3ouu-k_NRPN3PykwDmrseJsNtog8tCrJ5y39pZq0_Un6iIeTGtUpJuf4SvofBvIsRzQ21Zi67E/s400/Slatters-butchers-chadlingt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592505961254912690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />There is a little deli-cum-village-shop attached to it. It's a bit pricey and I have problems deciding if I do *need* anything, but it's vital to support local shops, so Marjorie's panniers end up filled with a bag of meat, the two cartons of eggs, two bottles of <a href="http://www.hooknortonbrewery.co.uk/">Hook Norton beer</a>, Strawberry & Elderflower cordial, lemon crunch biscuits made in the village and a wodge of mature cheddar. Plus my big flask of water. My debit card is lighter though...<br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBny8P3fPn6fCHyvsYYOx747FqXAF03MrzT0lmjIwUzu_VsOfIzpqSlBBKYT10f2u8l6d5Ra0wWtHl_-QGshwJw8zogisTYSEPfz9ZyCFGSvrfBgBimXIwJZggfM3CDGrztye-fAnuRI/s1600/Chadlington-stores.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBny8P3fPn6fCHyvsYYOx747FqXAF03MrzT0lmjIwUzu_VsOfIzpqSlBBKYT10f2u8l6d5Ra0wWtHl_-QGshwJw8zogisTYSEPfz9ZyCFGSvrfBgBimXIwJZggfM3CDGrztye-fAnuRI/s400/Chadlington-stores.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592505967047806530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>Laden down like a desert donkey, Marjorie and I wobble our way home.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDskkPY2eWJIWZc5C5yObz7Nr-jqBG3uagUXbtgbwZLyoBccB1jpxvZJkzeCPSjvmubBLv6AQhjoOA1ZAD0pmqv9wzNChKNRBURw2M-yVLhQpc9c5xLeek6-TRbip8ee6zEfY-57kHU0/s1600/Out-of-chadlington.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDskkPY2eWJIWZc5C5yObz7Nr-jqBG3uagUXbtgbwZLyoBccB1jpxvZJkzeCPSjvmubBLv6AQhjoOA1ZAD0pmqv9wzNChKNRBURw2M-yVLhQpc9c5xLeek6-TRbip8ee6zEfY-57kHU0/s400/Out-of-chadlington.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592505958445033634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>What came down has to go up again - though mostly walking, up to the top road where the trees line the horizon.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpOoagJ7Rp01HYIZTKZdth-POHVCAVo7DruJU0FC0qwqyUQQ0Le9JY35gHtF2X5etdV6SzN-W9WJjVkeH15_sfDOh5chqmCVSOygRPR5rYRir_jgnV2LmXk3lL1ByRWKM4u9psz-Ayrs/s1600/Near-chadlington.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpOoagJ7Rp01HYIZTKZdth-POHVCAVo7DruJU0FC0qwqyUQQ0Le9JY35gHtF2X5etdV6SzN-W9WJjVkeH15_sfDOh5chqmCVSOygRPR5rYRir_jgnV2LmXk3lL1ByRWKM4u9psz-Ayrs/s400/Near-chadlington.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592505961136802994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />Mercifully it's a lot easier coming back, a lot of free-wheeling downhill - </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLIoX8s1gEcqO1e2LDZxx2SarI05zdMBRKetHFyGYzD_i4tH8eJYTkM0VqKHaIXFWmaO0P3vHHxhh3Mo7sfgaKm5YKwDRZHorsd1_a7m4oKd5upuroCFt6hvQsYGoDzUuCaLmgL7YOYI/s1600/Sarsden.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLIoX8s1gEcqO1e2LDZxx2SarI05zdMBRKetHFyGYzD_i4tH8eJYTkM0VqKHaIXFWmaO0P3vHHxhh3Mo7sfgaKm5YKwDRZHorsd1_a7m4oKd5upuroCFt6hvQsYGoDzUuCaLmgL7YOYI/s400/Sarsden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592502416614505074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> <blockquote></blockquote><br />- back past the cottages.<br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3JuFFfgEr97lpb4simOKhOay3Fc9bql_NDaA0A5NGHoZgoGm_B4KjtfnT9-vCTtThRBQwth9JC5PICII3s6ygmTrG52nsSCSV4q6PrT9aPEmOess8H6avWqWDVR49GW1d6fJ5Di9jTw/s1600/Sarsden-cottages.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3JuFFfgEr97lpb4simOKhOay3Fc9bql_NDaA0A5NGHoZgoGm_B4KjtfnT9-vCTtThRBQwth9JC5PICII3s6ygmTrG52nsSCSV4q6PrT9aPEmOess8H6avWqWDVR49GW1d6fJ5Di9jTw/s400/Sarsden-cottages.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592502412607006338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />Taking a different route back home, along a *real* road - with a warning sign. Sadly it didn't slow the cars whizzing by, though Marjorie eased up a little. Just in case.<br /><br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitlIcV3s6gLTLg5zXrkEKGkpkOluUd0mtAeT94rTHkeOGfZW-q4Dl1Jm5izicRPDO_vwG1QlzY1ZLvNaFGMmIYVJUcIAD5IZji7Y9XhEiIWnxi4aeWTMDfq7nojkgMAEuqw9A-9iFXtg/s1600/Beware-Toads-Crossing.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitlIcV3s6gLTLg5zXrkEKGkpkOluUd0mtAeT94rTHkeOGfZW-q4Dl1Jm5izicRPDO_vwG1QlzY1ZLvNaFGMmIYVJUcIAD5IZji7Y9XhEiIWnxi4aeWTMDfq7nojkgMAEuqw9A-9iFXtg/s400/Beware-Toads-Crossing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592502411989588338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />Winding through the tiny neighbouring village.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarwKqC6rPqkK5rNqSYWsV_7rh_dv7GTOi_vPWBEX73QNml2QdHqllHyRUCUUel2J_3g1FnpKwKvnxHsqeX7L_LnFuvxb8sPFU0Cfv3K9qTWD_84D5CWaSJ8tNH9QHulqj3bQOVGEfzmw/s1600/Lyneham-cottage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarwKqC6rPqkK5rNqSYWsV_7rh_dv7GTOi_vPWBEX73QNml2QdHqllHyRUCUUel2J_3g1FnpKwKvnxHsqeX7L_LnFuvxb8sPFU0Cfv3K9qTWD_84D5CWaSJ8tNH9QHulqj3bQOVGEfzmw/s400/Lyneham-cottage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592502409436692882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />And the last stretch home. Another hill. Did we walk or did we tackle it manfully? What do <span style="font-style: italic;">you </span>think?<br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzI3MgPmRUDpyUGPb9Bh0kgHHdWjvvuUFaVayTjkhWzyxnkg6QqviqZeOqp4yESZ42oesJF-iMRxKzXN8qBu6VKxQjsB0hejrEQqq2SaRWMtaqeKdK99ZwLXwBTtFLVd_kkzf5CdNpoA/s1600/Lyneham-Road.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzI3MgPmRUDpyUGPb9Bh0kgHHdWjvvuUFaVayTjkhWzyxnkg6QqviqZeOqp4yESZ42oesJF-iMRxKzXN8qBu6VKxQjsB0hejrEQqq2SaRWMtaqeKdK99ZwLXwBTtFLVd_kkzf5CdNpoA/s400/Lyneham-Road.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592502406044979234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-81105822981017168872011-02-13T07:00:00.000-08:002012-02-12T11:18:32.556-08:00Spelsbury church<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkf070pg9ogXmEszADZ6ZiuiQo4iC1T-Dor7TDdBg402iKuQrYcGmaCTSYvmK7_Pm0aZNjEIK6av2oZhoYXglwUJg8rjX4nsM9WR_vqj-ILNw7j8cYXF-rTl27VBb3LvstiRts4eDo97s/s1600/Oxfordshire-landscape.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkf070pg9ogXmEszADZ6ZiuiQo4iC1T-Dor7TDdBg402iKuQrYcGmaCTSYvmK7_Pm0aZNjEIK6av2oZhoYXglwUJg8rjX4nsM9WR_vqj-ILNw7j8cYXF-rTl27VBb3LvstiRts4eDo97s/s400/Oxfordshire-landscape.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573159619223824530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />At last spring is upon us and we have had the first really pleasant walk of the year, the sun warm and the breeze mild. The weather was the best thing about tthe day, for we chose to venture to an area of our county which we rarely explore by foot. This flattish, cultivated part of Oxfordshire is frankly a little dull compared to the wilder, rambling curves of Gloucestershire, our usual tramping ground.<br /><br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCKrhvlC6kFW1lx-8KrI7GFL7AMXgq1lDP24qZ3a31_93khdc13kAgLSvmUz8X38oe8Oa7vNHQDc49rPGmEuGXRmFuNRpelMtKntmf-Buq5jkS6i0z6UTh_BDGZqPR8o43vKo4P6sj8w/s1600/winter-cattle.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCKrhvlC6kFW1lx-8KrI7GFL7AMXgq1lDP24qZ3a31_93khdc13kAgLSvmUz8X38oe8Oa7vNHQDc49rPGmEuGXRmFuNRpelMtKntmf-Buq5jkS6i0z6UTh_BDGZqPR8o43vKo4P6sj8w/s400/winter-cattle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573159615628381186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Even a pedestrian landscape could not blot the sheer happiness that blue skies and a kindly sun can inspire. To add interest, we headed across the fields to Spelsbury</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">village to examine the church.<br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKSK-8CU3XH4aPNRhkJnE4OBlMPBFkD4lcj4YxKsZSHXdb7iZORAEC7xodgQKpR5thSBM_C9bWmML0NpFNv86tsMu0xqWHPUjlckj73XbKNOVSdWTLJ8j-ahZzGM7YnRbs06cboocm2A/s1600/Spelsbury-village-church.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKSK-8CU3XH4aPNRhkJnE4OBlMPBFkD4lcj4YxKsZSHXdb7iZORAEC7xodgQKpR5thSBM_C9bWmML0NpFNv86tsMu0xqWHPUjlckj73XbKNOVSdWTLJ8j-ahZzGM7YnRbs06cboocm2A/s400/Spelsbury-village-church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573159140637518546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Sitting outside the village to share the customary thermos of hot chocolate, we could look across to our start point of Chadlington village and the distant tower of St Mary's church where we were parked. It seemed like a very long way off, though only 2-3 miles.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHF7hyphenhyphenx6U3ClEAnVMrODPcvGy3MiHYnvJS8UroflqNBgLRlihFSz6fXjURlzoisiJd3qjtfXEQo0HdeHxOoOQgKxkG-lUAd8V9OtyufWLXjKZib956MmSY9DBnsTNkt0axpEcDBKth0o/s1600/Looking-across-to-Chadlingt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHF7hyphenhyphenx6U3ClEAnVMrODPcvGy3MiHYnvJS8UroflqNBgLRlihFSz6fXjURlzoisiJd3qjtfXEQo0HdeHxOoOQgKxkG-lUAd8V9OtyufWLXjKZib956MmSY9DBnsTNkt0axpEcDBKth0o/s400/Looking-across-to-Chadlingt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573159144698549682" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><a href="http://www.achurchnearyou.com/spelsbury-all-saints/">Spelsbury All Saint's church</a>, hiding behind the many old yew trees which cluster in the grounds.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNRrhFOnNvO5t19LVh5Hb2Ek2DB7zN2PORmBj-SKoW2JLbSaTcRh2G_Pvdzx46GbVyW3Tu5DsKfMg226VtEZzU1A3aD16plkMpYHfy8qm-STMCTdeYoGo9WAf9YB_saczvr1U_jOubZA/s1600/Spelsbury-church.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNRrhFOnNvO5t19LVh5Hb2Ek2DB7zN2PORmBj-SKoW2JLbSaTcRh2G_Pvdzx46GbVyW3Tu5DsKfMg226VtEZzU1A3aD16plkMpYHfy8qm-STMCTdeYoGo9WAf9YB_saczvr1U_jOubZA/s400/Spelsbury-church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573159133229819298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />The church itself was pretty enough, not as old as some we've explored. The tower apparently is Norman in origin, though not obvious at first glance.<br /><br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0XLW0AqOoyxoZktXxvuH_vXK4xGeB4lEFS1qRpG7greUO0tABpZ5xAMqCvv3Yxa-FRgQTnssMixdLCw2OHWX47IJ84u7Qcjd0E89pQ0_2hjEzhGdc1u0wrIS5gD6NS3LT1y074IAfbk/s1600/Spelsbury-churchyard.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0XLW0AqOoyxoZktXxvuH_vXK4xGeB4lEFS1qRpG7greUO0tABpZ5xAMqCvv3Yxa-FRgQTnssMixdLCw2OHWX47IJ84u7Qcjd0E89pQ0_2hjEzhGdc1u0wrIS5gD6NS3LT1y074IAfbk/s400/Spelsbury-churchyard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573159134126389618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />The plain doorway too is original Norman and looks as if it might have had side pillars once.<blockquote><br /></blockquote></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafoMEgmHNyTXa4qsN4965U__M1RAWg6Ijwm4ndrKp8JX_gBtMqEJ-NN0pVvM_HLjCp18rpQBYLQMGbPXmp52bqMTbKR9Awo3OrSF5RIWJakIVQq0-y7Ufn5-x-Wvj9sxxIVLgTNQ00CQ/s1600/doorway-to-Spelsbury-church.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafoMEgmHNyTXa4qsN4965U__M1RAWg6Ijwm4ndrKp8JX_gBtMqEJ-NN0pVvM_HLjCp18rpQBYLQMGbPXmp52bqMTbKR9Awo3OrSF5RIWJakIVQq0-y7Ufn5-x-Wvj9sxxIVLgTNQ00CQ/s400/doorway-to-Spelsbury-church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573158095179901570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Inside some rather lovely stained glass panels forming an entrance hall - probably Victorian, I am guessing.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC34AHvumiFr71axlTpL6fCyDI4FaIvm_eIIoGd8qJAWpTr3hnSfLaWISW_7jv3jnlOn11okP13RDcxO-oK5dBoeRVkyRaBtofiDVnhlCfB5KTmD0jze6sjr9NQY8kemysPG-VsXnUQI/s1600/stained-glass-spelsbury.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC34AHvumiFr71axlTpL6fCyDI4FaIvm_eIIoGd8qJAWpTr3hnSfLaWISW_7jv3jnlOn11okP13RDcxO-oK5dBoeRVkyRaBtofiDVnhlCfB5KTmD0jze6sjr9NQY8kemysPG-VsXnUQI/s400/stained-glass-spelsbury.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573159131442226194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The church is undergoing some restoration and there was a stone mason at work, the quick, sharp tap-tap of his hammer and chisel echoing up the nave as it must have done through the centuries; little has changed in this old craft and it is probabl that a mason of the 13th century could, if transported to this moment in time, recognise his trade and tools and settle to work in the same fashion. <blockquote><br /></blockquote></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSrVAmyCBKyzsE7K4Q3gaN9tGrU6PBDC9mx8Ljq31KdPui6Ix8K_N5Xz5pyMJ8Nzyt5ymncKYaFep2LNsH-8tRz_4_TzmcXwq59lVldvRve9EKjw0x5IyNNvaS4pQ4m_WbLrMoBryrms/s1600/Spelsbury-church-repairs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSrVAmyCBKyzsE7K4Q3gaN9tGrU6PBDC9mx8Ljq31KdPui6Ix8K_N5Xz5pyMJ8Nzyt5ymncKYaFep2LNsH-8tRz_4_TzmcXwq59lVldvRve9EKjw0x5IyNNvaS4pQ4m_WbLrMoBryrms/s400/Spelsbury-church-repairs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573158091825575218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>The interior is a little austere and plain. It's a church which has had much 'fiddling about with' in its life. Here you can just see the stained glass of the porchway beyond the pillars.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb55n2g69sYqUvekjJvquiCzOg-DJxf1EMH3U6pVgj1to4ralmQy2zDrpChqYpDe9m5_d2H252QtofDNeO0_mXDW4HmStg93qEChyphenhyphenvmx2VV_AKnnnM7ACQB-NHr8ChmF2GqaA5a_-TjMc/s1600/Spelsbury-church-interior.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb55n2g69sYqUvekjJvquiCzOg-DJxf1EMH3U6pVgj1to4ralmQy2zDrpChqYpDe9m5_d2H252QtofDNeO0_mXDW4HmStg93qEChyphenhyphenvmx2VV_AKnnnM7ACQB-NHr8ChmF2GqaA5a_-TjMc/s400/Spelsbury-church-interior.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573158083463417490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>A little mosaic cross beneath the original font.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv1dX9nCFYgFEx37P3k26zYj4L2iiBnH4_94WmVlhKCOROA03I5G6A1mfEvuMsKuubvdeNl_smJnMT_OjTHGFgFnCdhg6TPXoGgqZE47uHMqz9KZ3qOFDnJalvV25dcrKjebdK_wGz9c/s1600/Cross-mosaic-spelsbury-chur.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv1dX9nCFYgFEx37P3k26zYj4L2iiBnH4_94WmVlhKCOROA03I5G6A1mfEvuMsKuubvdeNl_smJnMT_OjTHGFgFnCdhg6TPXoGgqZE47uHMqz9KZ3qOFDnJalvV25dcrKjebdK_wGz9c/s400/Cross-mosaic-spelsbury-chur.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573158079011375378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote>Glad to return to the sun, we explored the churchyard. </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.luminarium.org/eightlit/rochester/wilmotbio.htm">John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester </a><span style="font-family:arial;">and a notorious 'Regency rake' is buried in a vault beneath the church. A celebrated wit and poet, he gained a reputation for many things including poetry which was frankly pornographic at times. I have found an excellent</span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.ealasaid.com/fan/rochester/thesisframe.html"> thesis about him here</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, but do be warned that some of his work, even though written a few hundred years ago, may still be offensive!<blockquote><br /></blockquote></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2UDC0Oxf0s4u2qlKIaQM6akWR7KtfyplxpINbenLHlw6_dY651CgQYlDdXS9D45JWTDCE-c0eJ3mVy8EF_Na2F0pUs4B3QIQJj6AT-RoEnLWXZJzykVEqPCQtfxKOLL3_y4EnkwXHNA/s1600/snowdrop-grave-Spelsbury.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2UDC0Oxf0s4u2qlKIaQM6akWR7KtfyplxpINbenLHlw6_dY651CgQYlDdXS9D45JWTDCE-c0eJ3mVy8EF_Na2F0pUs4B3QIQJj6AT-RoEnLWXZJzykVEqPCQtfxKOLL3_y4EnkwXHNA/s400/snowdrop-grave-Spelsbury.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573158080058586114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />We began to turn the circle of our walk. A sweet little farm cat came mewling up to me, begging for attention and proceeded to follow me up the lane despite my ignoring her. However when I heard a van approaching at speed, I put my hand up to halt it and had to scoop the silly thing up as it was oblivious to the danger. Thankfully the driver must have been a cat lover and there were no nasty accidents that day. I popped her down and hastened away, despite her pathetic cries. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2qNubIifFxGphv6o-_UdkY1vmyuuwvHSbjOPn8JHmheHfDXzKnqIH7HFJlxjluBOFv4pHHuM1naMaOLwCXCtp2_iDc4nJKbNfJznGvIOcZb9o_x0gFed8wV7IhEFLwclr9ztNP4RGo4/s1600/farm-cat.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2qNubIifFxGphv6o-_UdkY1vmyuuwvHSbjOPn8JHmheHfDXzKnqIH7HFJlxjluBOFv4pHHuM1naMaOLwCXCtp2_iDc4nJKbNfJznGvIOcZb9o_x0gFed8wV7IhEFLwclr9ztNP4RGo4/s400/farm-cat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573157706470328434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Unusual - and sad - to see a boarded up cottage in the Cotswolds, which is a prime property spot.<br /><br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfxpTFKuoJdYW-VPGAOKVKnWrvFjSTmxTBzyxOFaXwLojAxxepaENoYuRURR9KA8dfxCXNtMBfZSPgUzvTDOOX-PH1f1aFgzkURROWennSGNl7aZxMCdCMMO-RWP629Yx9z5Khtg_Azg/s1600/empty-cottage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfxpTFKuoJdYW-VPGAOKVKnWrvFjSTmxTBzyxOFaXwLojAxxepaENoYuRURR9KA8dfxCXNtMBfZSPgUzvTDOOX-PH1f1aFgzkURROWennSGNl7aZxMCdCMMO-RWP629Yx9z5Khtg_Azg/s400/empty-cottage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573157698167733810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Past the grand and chilly Dean Manor.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_Phvik9PaCZYr7JAohvWk_bvznan3YFSelMmZLsnNTXj89ZK1-jRmCSHzLNPAMHYv-EJirxRBY9qYqVM-KeKjEBnnqLmYZ2nPv_njruoXDkfgMV_h4whdXx_KWfRhmQQ3DHpakE4m64/s1600/Dean-Manor.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_Phvik9PaCZYr7JAohvWk_bvznan3YFSelMmZLsnNTXj89ZK1-jRmCSHzLNPAMHYv-EJirxRBY9qYqVM-KeKjEBnnqLmYZ2nPv_njruoXDkfgMV_h4whdXx_KWfRhmQQ3DHpakE4m64/s400/Dean-Manor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573157695201753618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />The afternoon sun was still pleasant but just beginning to catch an edge. Lambs are not out in the fields yet but there are plenty of fat sheep.<br /><br /><br /></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQ4K2uO6-YYte96WFyYIVfAS9z2Wo8pY0uiUG4xmlD8PcD2iVyqf4jtT9Oy9JM6pWrWtmefQ10VpWaPBj_cIlOw832Bb4KttEpEys7J9voXW_DK-B7J2UBB2Ldy0HacJTeXPTeQsSYm0/s1600/pastoral-sheep-grazing.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQ4K2uO6-YYte96WFyYIVfAS9z2Wo8pY0uiUG4xmlD8PcD2iVyqf4jtT9Oy9JM6pWrWtmefQ10VpWaPBj_cIlOw832Bb4KttEpEys7J9voXW_DK-B7J2UBB2Ldy0HacJTeXPTeQsSYm0/s400/pastoral-sheep-grazing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573157704278043714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />A final little adventure which I </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >didn't</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> photograph; a nasty encounter with three heavily pregnant cows who were stood right across the footpath. We were joined at the gate by a man and his dog, the dog being the object of the cow's displeasure - much bellowing and bridling as Andy tried to get past them. I hung back, not being a big fan of cattle at the best of times. The walker stood well away and encouraged me to go on, assuring me that they weren't interested in us, just his dog. I am still not sure how I plucked up the courage to go through them, especially when the lead cow started trotting belligerently up towards me. Death by cow is rare, but it does happen. Thankfully they left us alone once we were past and we hastened to the next field, crossing a pleasingly pastoral brook.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ri-TekSSEQfU-RTBkOhuiLWUrrWRsZ79-OHUdjrYN7vsVZ3IMaHYkJLIFcd4MEwm8yaDi6k3cEJ_SfSqJhd-Spv7n_WZbiFepZ6tveLPJE9HyhOUS7nFrTQl9DoGp36anp0bVG5LoGg/s1600/meadow-stream.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ri-TekSSEQfU-RTBkOhuiLWUrrWRsZ79-OHUdjrYN7vsVZ3IMaHYkJLIFcd4MEwm8yaDi6k3cEJ_SfSqJhd-Spv7n_WZbiFepZ6tveLPJE9HyhOUS7nFrTQl9DoGp36anp0bVG5LoGg/s400/meadow-stream.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573157696997814754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Soon after, we saw the walker and dog emerge from another route he had taken to avoid the cows. We began chatting as he caught up - not being a dog owner I have never seen cattle react like that. He then told me that he didn't want to tell me before, but his wife was once trampled by cows who repeatedly charged her, when walking their dog. (I am SO glad I didn't know that before!) Mercifully and with the aid of a superb surgeon, she survived, despite sustaining chest and collarbone injuries which normally cause death. Out of interest, I managed to find an old </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/archive/1998/04/04/Oxfordshire+Archive/6640534.Woman_trampled_by_cows__critical_/">newspaper report</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> about the incident. I think the next walk will be a nice sheep-filled one. </span> </div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-68272930032410289532011-01-02T16:56:00.000-08:002011-02-01T09:05:18.287-08:00Fleeting Winter sunshine<div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMju8AKwJ_KV-oB3WJuZ3BbUioqvLufhz7H8qIY4y7c-aoGMrO2gyLSz7HyCYGAWQ29iHV7Bo70VVps8nFKZLCWpt4qPqQgAr9IFmUihhrPW9HiKlHiPhgkJUHqecQ1AEBY_1-uc_XSc/s1600/mossy-path.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMju8AKwJ_KV-oB3WJuZ3BbUioqvLufhz7H8qIY4y7c-aoGMrO2gyLSz7HyCYGAWQ29iHV7Bo70VVps8nFKZLCWpt4qPqQgAr9IFmUihhrPW9HiKlHiPhgkJUHqecQ1AEBY_1-uc_XSc/s400/mossy-path.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565440414732226802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />It has been a grey, dismal January and cold with it. Not walking or cycling weather really. But when the sun has made a rare appearance, we too have emerged blinking, like pale grubs. Shall we wander down this mossy path and climb up to the fields beyond? </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37kDu0egG3i917AUoHPVUnh0khWfbXZ-Omr1fzkNoaEkBa34tVNIKdP_LWzqJOJp-HDQnSum0IuYQZ-MxHCmv0xG4ZETVQ7PXqod-Tn2xOdK0swqpmc6irqW7ltPLeweEk97YmyRrnLs/s1600/Path-to-manor-farm.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37kDu0egG3i917AUoHPVUnh0khWfbXZ-Omr1fzkNoaEkBa34tVNIKdP_LWzqJOJp-HDQnSum0IuYQZ-MxHCmv0xG4ZETVQ7PXqod-Tn2xOdK0swqpmc6irqW7ltPLeweEk97YmyRrnLs/s400/Path-to-manor-farm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565440236240790658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />Dazzling blue skies and a trio of buzzards mewling as they surf the thermals. We head towards the estate farm and admire, yet again, the old stone barn which to my mind would make a marvellous studio.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvsDj7G6qVQjeBMwE-k2-nfbxlYMyiVO4jp65eHi8DaBKt6uviNFmoR5vt2tsmTo1e9OdGuhDZkFdzW6PbnY2WSo0rbe1WIWeq3bb6eT5ke2eL9izAAXOliNOzOO-9kMLB1eA_ERJWCM/s1600/Cotswold-barn.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvsDj7G6qVQjeBMwE-k2-nfbxlYMyiVO4jp65eHi8DaBKt6uviNFmoR5vt2tsmTo1e9OdGuhDZkFdzW6PbnY2WSo0rbe1WIWeq3bb6eT5ke2eL9izAAXOliNOzOO-9kMLB1eA_ERJWCM/s400/Cotswold-barn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565440237388619218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />Although the landscape is still bleak, the sun draws out rich hues and the clear, cold air sharpens outlines.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pnpN3uOQqMMfpo7YEAEtWMX5VKoV60oki1HoSLhWaaShfIr5R65zpgLiU5PNIx0ArG_URD03RCuuOISramgMFnuNjuDuvrguUME8a2OB-UFUQeLvdxR4VpDGf7a-7iLRwkIMT-cUL_8/s1600/Barrington-estate-land.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pnpN3uOQqMMfpo7YEAEtWMX5VKoV60oki1HoSLhWaaShfIr5R65zpgLiU5PNIx0ArG_URD03RCuuOISramgMFnuNjuDuvrguUME8a2OB-UFUQeLvdxR4VpDGf7a-7iLRwkIMT-cUL_8/s400/Barrington-estate-land.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565440227361415026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />If you look closely, some foliage is 'warming up' as new bark and buds push through and amid the aqua greys and sombre tertiaries, bright mustards and warm pinks glow. Nestling in the roots of the bare hedgerows, tiny snowdrops shudder and tremble in the wind.<br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMjV7j24XdNq_oY0fpz079JtjvtuDCdMijHePU0cP_QoSVY3wNtSUr8rXAQ6AmZ9uJDGoU6cU7XiQA5_WlAh5WTz_4VoxRjZCJT2W_nj9edet54a8kiyDdrpCXCOuSS8E2Tj02IHzH3o/s1600/path-to-sherborn.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMjV7j24XdNq_oY0fpz079JtjvtuDCdMijHePU0cP_QoSVY3wNtSUr8rXAQ6AmZ9uJDGoU6cU7XiQA5_WlAh5WTz_4VoxRjZCJT2W_nj9edet54a8kiyDdrpCXCOuSS8E2Tj02IHzH3o/s400/path-to-sherborn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565440224764537714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />It is as if the seasons are poised on a cusp; there is, despite the chill, a feeling of anticipation and hope.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyS1GLsvBcQZCrhZZdiZKm6NEfWUlyQhEL-1LKZILFgKhGLFtLuLmJaQHg0Pv_H_TU1IQ5nV6o-6IeCsRS2bCTwrYg-TXGVWwCKaNEUIixbfDZgJ7CwtUr6Uj02w3sX5y3aPz61CVH6ck/s1600/Barrington-flood-fields.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyS1GLsvBcQZCrhZZdiZKm6NEfWUlyQhEL-1LKZILFgKhGLFtLuLmJaQHg0Pv_H_TU1IQ5nV6o-6IeCsRS2bCTwrYg-TXGVWwCKaNEUIixbfDZgJ7CwtUr6Uj02w3sX5y3aPz61CVH6ck/s400/Barrington-flood-fields.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565440218318074050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-62276190313746478952011-01-01T08:59:00.001-08:002011-01-01T09:26:52.500-08:00Back on the bike<div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBRH1DhecJSSZbdf2JnglE_06U87KeUHLNbL_I-GA9ea-RZKpa7e44uQYU_0oCC9McrDAKm1i_KSto3BA_X0G_7v2QQQsPhZ5sxNktBfjsIum-g2UxLtWYH0j2NujKpJfJHkH9_5vZXc/s1600/Lyneham-Road-in-winter.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBRH1DhecJSSZbdf2JnglE_06U87KeUHLNbL_I-GA9ea-RZKpa7e44uQYU_0oCC9McrDAKm1i_KSto3BA_X0G_7v2QQQsPhZ5sxNktBfjsIum-g2UxLtWYH0j2NujKpJfJHkH9_5vZXc/s400/Lyneham-Road-in-winter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557263652014497570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Today, January the first, seemed a fitting start to the New Year to get my cycling legs back. I haven't been out for a ride since breaking my arm back at the start of October and felt a bit nervous about my first outing. It was a cold, dank afternoon, with a hint of mizzle, but the snow is almost gone at last. Despite the gloomy weather, Marjorie and I were exuberant to be out again, rediscovering the freedom of the road.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmkXW_2BBejVPbFMJyYkl3Y5dM7K3PDChyphenhyphenxkFnlkQ-mDTWYEcY6sAC8nVHLMLiwzVxCw8NfiAbHDSDQ28wc0YIL0wYRE6uaiBhEPchjcmGajClc7X7lzgXncctrMmVnMOOUNDBXEX8-s/s1600/Marjorie-at-Lyneham-Road-Br.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmkXW_2BBejVPbFMJyYkl3Y5dM7K3PDChyphenhyphenxkFnlkQ-mDTWYEcY6sAC8nVHLMLiwzVxCw8NfiAbHDSDQ28wc0YIL0wYRE6uaiBhEPchjcmGajClc7X7lzgXncctrMmVnMOOUNDBXEX8-s/s400/Marjorie-at-Lyneham-Road-Br.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557263652257234002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>There was barely a soul around. I stopped to say hello to the little Shetland pony who seemed warm but bored.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdqV-ibcYxOkmfpNtjO7pSXhRLXIWs_gINtoCfHCyRFupxlFES27-eeENnVWHIFHOLT7lZC_mwAtP9YS6v70dM3GlIFGL_oXB9AiDfJGRgpi_nftiEuoiUo66RlKKdOhe40rnZnE_VBo/s1600/Shetland-pony.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdqV-ibcYxOkmfpNtjO7pSXhRLXIWs_gINtoCfHCyRFupxlFES27-eeENnVWHIFHOLT7lZC_mwAtP9YS6v70dM3GlIFGL_oXB9AiDfJGRgpi_nftiEuoiUo66RlKKdOhe40rnZnE_VBo/s400/Shetland-pony.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557263647072737202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Stopping again to look at the thaw water swelling the stream.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFruDhiuu7CYEa2Js0VrjdE64W-jYigAz4E_7g8B3CaTnjWY06o9V1Gn_RSBacXdI-NH9ytC2V7UQgUltsxXRbk7fQfHqeAqYDDmrUApw7IiZOIucQGmzb4NPG50fMmsX-713IN5QtR30/s1600/swollen-stream%252C-Bruern.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFruDhiuu7CYEa2Js0VrjdE64W-jYigAz4E_7g8B3CaTnjWY06o9V1Gn_RSBacXdI-NH9ytC2V7UQgUltsxXRbk7fQfHqeAqYDDmrUApw7IiZOIucQGmzb4NPG50fMmsX-713IN5QtR30/s400/swollen-stream%252C-Bruern.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557263644509915586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>This is our version of '</span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.itv.com/dramapremieres/downtonabbey/">Downton Abbey</a><span style="font-family:arial;">', cunningly hidden by judiciously planted trees; this is as much as a commoner will see from the road, when winter has stripped the branches. Time to head back to the village and home, feeling properly hungry for the first time in weeks. Fresh air and exercise - can't be beat.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-family:arial;" ></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioR-X3-PFx638g2O60zaH_I8M_L-p9i4H7Nu2joHxBnTtNwJ2u0y3YSdrCQ87T663lEusSQj7dTbon3XAj4uypprQlN4kCf65l40v01r0HjVK3EnNkMFTWWFbhLrBNP62T8Dk56XAeHzU/s1600/Bruern-House.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioR-X3-PFx638g2O60zaH_I8M_L-p9i4H7Nu2joHxBnTtNwJ2u0y3YSdrCQ87T663lEusSQj7dTbon3XAj4uypprQlN4kCf65l40v01r0HjVK3EnNkMFTWWFbhLrBNP62T8Dk56XAeHzU/s400/Bruern-House.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557263640006049378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-89721969346318060212010-12-26T06:41:00.000-08:002010-12-26T08:10:27.880-08:00A Snowy Cotswold Christmas<a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaLOesjEYtVfLppmc5va1l36p-BCMGPbjPG7EeIjkw7sK8Nvg3BzoFBTqul-nmXZCcu34Y2VyU6UkHvo-EhDrepdQwvG-ZbJi-2BouazKwyJNt2vYpHAl9n2ad4ozx-xRXMcoMJntyk4/s1600/04-Snowy-footpath.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oJZzl6pXpUs2TFHoWEhiGxM3FX5ZwGSwHPqodwNVmzATTovklzxHH-HmKm83UvEQO712CU6FjrjaTb_tS50FxoNvbNfrKuOUrZws44zMB_tb31HwcNyKYXpmi2yPhbeUu3q4648rAVQ/s1600/02-Cotswold-snowy-landscape.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oJZzl6pXpUs2TFHoWEhiGxM3FX5ZwGSwHPqodwNVmzATTovklzxHH-HmKm83UvEQO712CU6FjrjaTb_tS50FxoNvbNfrKuOUrZws44zMB_tb31HwcNyKYXpmi2yPhbeUu3q4648rAVQ/s400/02-Cotswold-snowy-landscape.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555003779620165266" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Seasonal greetings from the Cotswolds to all! Great Britain is undergoing it's coldest winter since records began in the 1890's and here in our patch we have had even worse snow </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://cotswoldpeeps.blogspot.com/2010/01/last-of-snow-jan-7.html">than last January</a><span style="font-family:arial;">. On Christmas Day we set off for a morning walk around the fields, before everyone else emerged after lunch.<br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgGvP1laXzPmgmRbXhZmGoFUsEJt67GZGm2oEXqpVst4D8vBR2PH7V6WpgzCR_-5FPpC4AZmku13dScg3LRlqZnRz1djyYsNEJa_cT69kWEcljp6eU8deLEHARNQaVonhBTNrkpAasEM/s1600/01-Cotswold-snowy-landscape.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgGvP1laXzPmgmRbXhZmGoFUsEJt67GZGm2oEXqpVst4D8vBR2PH7V6WpgzCR_-5FPpC4AZmku13dScg3LRlqZnRz1djyYsNEJa_cT69kWEcljp6eU8deLEHARNQaVonhBTNrkpAasEM/s400/01-Cotswold-snowy-landscape.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555003783696780418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />A little brook, half frozen at the edges, but still sluggishly trickling towards a larger tributary of the Evenlode river, a couple of miles away.<br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrx7xDZB_-pmgR5AkOSUcnfZDVT-76i2d-ckrm48Cgim7tBy2X7J-UALD6k7XJzk2inv9AMtu3PQtLtWervc5KSlXdajFb3g7ZLpaps666t8lFp1-NQKs3Ht2nHXB41s3mkpEyw-891CQ/s1600/03-icy-stream.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrx7xDZB_-pmgR5AkOSUcnfZDVT-76i2d-ckrm48Cgim7tBy2X7J-UALD6k7XJzk2inv9AMtu3PQtLtWervc5KSlXdajFb3g7ZLpaps666t8lFp1-NQKs3Ht2nHXB41s3mkpEyw-891CQ/s400/03-icy-stream.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555003636385655826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The most familiar of paths are transformed -</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-family:arial;" ></span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-family:arial;" ></span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-family:arial;" ></span><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaLOesjEYtVfLppmc5va1l36p-BCMGPbjPG7EeIjkw7sK8Nvg3BzoFBTqul-nmXZCcu34Y2VyU6UkHvo-EhDrepdQwvG-ZbJi-2BouazKwyJNt2vYpHAl9n2ad4ozx-xRXMcoMJntyk4/s1600/04-Snowy-footpath.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaLOesjEYtVfLppmc5va1l36p-BCMGPbjPG7EeIjkw7sK8Nvg3BzoFBTqul-nmXZCcu34Y2VyU6UkHvo-EhDrepdQwvG-ZbJi-2BouazKwyJNt2vYpHAl9n2ad4ozx-xRXMcoMJntyk4/s400/04-Snowy-footpath.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555008150816664610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />- and the broad fields are pristine, save for the meandering tracks of wild creatures. The horizon is softened by an icy haze.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjLOjLXMgW7Sf_CrFXGdbk3RkvipzN4Px2_4imBDGscQC-zKvPMsge-WYpa8t9YvHBTUj02ji-kuEDRyqwkzEhu0CJXHaJy3CORqnBfWubUlpY7FiX_uVWkCplKDEMDZNMk-XmbjzxRU/s1600/05-pristine-snow-field.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjLOjLXMgW7Sf_CrFXGdbk3RkvipzN4Px2_4imBDGscQC-zKvPMsge-WYpa8t9YvHBTUj02ji-kuEDRyqwkzEhu0CJXHaJy3CORqnBfWubUlpY7FiX_uVWkCplKDEMDZNMk-XmbjzxRU/s400/05-pristine-snow-field.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555003626529255218" border="0" /></a><br /><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The dullest of dead vegetation metamorphosis's into ice sculptures -<br /><br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmfjk9FI4AWzccsK_ulYD5O3iWpN8D8SHx8orD0pTi1vGRU3F0OnwRDpp5kxrzwJBNNgRUsOpFiumlOuJuWJ-youKtvrm1PggnEpLiFZX-AdZWRGeWSXzogWLTD-iuF4mx8DGsRTK5Ig/s1600/06-Iced-seedheads.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmfjk9FI4AWzccsK_ulYD5O3iWpN8D8SHx8orD0pTi1vGRU3F0OnwRDpp5kxrzwJBNNgRUsOpFiumlOuJuWJ-youKtvrm1PggnEpLiFZX-AdZWRGeWSXzogWLTD-iuF4mx8DGsRTK5Ig/s400/06-Iced-seedheads.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555003619932895778" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jKjUNVUWEcTELJBi-KVE3_XN_vASNqGekY_9RcfwC7NjebbXLrz3ntcUm-uLzv_0kFzPkzVa9xRBlgqAJRXTkNNwyheBfyDyjxGBOpurwNzEqirNlmOpj2yji3j21K7t5cgseIEMzr8/s1600/07-iced-hedgerow-twigs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jKjUNVUWEcTELJBi-KVE3_XN_vASNqGekY_9RcfwC7NjebbXLrz3ntcUm-uLzv_0kFzPkzVa9xRBlgqAJRXTkNNwyheBfyDyjxGBOpurwNzEqirNlmOpj2yji3j21K7t5cgseIEMzr8/s400/07-iced-hedgerow-twigs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555003182221838130" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIXEkIPxsCOVeE-gQc5guItjoSSvfk7QNKMIAJgfl5LJLuW4_zjNw4t2havaVDbUNmZRQgDN8Ml2LfV2dL39ofTWom-5OZykhZelaWvlpvIXbW8gj135jCIVhAW6e3M-7zMwdjNgq9rY/s1600/08-iced-twigs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIXEkIPxsCOVeE-gQc5guItjoSSvfk7QNKMIAJgfl5LJLuW4_zjNw4t2havaVDbUNmZRQgDN8Ml2LfV2dL39ofTWom-5OZykhZelaWvlpvIXbW8gj135jCIVhAW6e3M-7zMwdjNgq9rY/s400/08-iced-twigs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555003177559173986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />- and the stark, sleeping trees appear sepia-black against the sky.<blockquote><br /></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTxpHySJLpIoVj5cXCmIsQ9qMW8QiSQa0u6OENvKr0-v0DVgkTRl7wzn9c0yu1Mxgz_deTA8GWXYG9-6fJdtjANH8lP0G6D1BEDVQOaKjX4UhAX3MFP7gQPNsRixpGNGh4BmVK1a9KIQ/s1600/09-Cotswold-fields-in-snow.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTxpHySJLpIoVj5cXCmIsQ9qMW8QiSQa0u6OENvKr0-v0DVgkTRl7wzn9c0yu1Mxgz_deTA8GWXYG9-6fJdtjANH8lP0G6D1BEDVQOaKjX4UhAX3MFP7gQPNsRixpGNGh4BmVK1a9KIQ/s400/09-Cotswold-fields-in-snow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555003175553572610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The horse chestnut avenue leading towards the farm - <blockquote><br /></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmkO2oeBSY7VmAoP4frjxCOj6q1wN1nMA_TEADDiO5JsGZEsqIA_3ZpL1tp9Hc3ZYlIVjBCOOSSRP4iTLtSnwOYSjX5eSOhoccV2xYVEDB0f4_DKUZD-2yQ02dNuT26K5RzJptQM9Z9w/s1600/09-chestnut-avenue-in-snow.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmkO2oeBSY7VmAoP4frjxCOj6q1wN1nMA_TEADDiO5JsGZEsqIA_3ZpL1tp9Hc3ZYlIVjBCOOSSRP4iTLtSnwOYSjX5eSOhoccV2xYVEDB0f4_DKUZD-2yQ02dNuT26K5RzJptQM9Z9w/s400/09-chestnut-avenue-in-snow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555003176449654226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />- and my favourite line of trees looking delicately skeletal; in summer it is a plump lushness of greenery, </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33DJvkBpUIL2n_fAXO9_ZBkYuhFH-sddduvSqlSUcD_9tKXLFXZj27UPnh4aX6uwsa4xZSJZzWQHHI5NRz1Rg4QtIfj7ORu_X3HX9BPqfMK4fYoaU2vZwe37QnAuKUwjJaib25gLOfH0/s1600/02.jpg">as seen here</a><span style="font-family:arial;">.<blockquote></blockquote></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1a6qjkCX-qjIxdtoE7vYwCyXyqJL-iB9CC656t08ZOwQxgLwI12IxZm4M2EoDnn6qwnRR6AqzG59KLls98a1y0VwsSTN74qEs78dJpyNFZ-f0hEp3DfzB8JRycgJpNq7odJmdRJJ0MU/s1600/10-Snowy-Cotswold-fields-wi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1a6qjkCX-qjIxdtoE7vYwCyXyqJL-iB9CC656t08ZOwQxgLwI12IxZm4M2EoDnn6qwnRR6AqzG59KLls98a1y0VwsSTN74qEs78dJpyNFZ-f0hEp3DfzB8JRycgJpNq7odJmdRJJ0MU/s400/10-Snowy-Cotswold-fields-wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555003172006853474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />A welcome stretch of cleared road and the rare sight of tarmac.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCyXaKh4p41lPNuHyQnyiXt7wqaZgmECt5v3iSESMhNNMdjGdwkuV4ctSFUYgELd7dA8d-HanYMVFxkKsBoxxFVjZFs_ZKO28BawGLYg6p138tXrtGt2EXok-Wv0CXiL1aFhT6mUK-dg/s1600/16-back-lane.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCyXaKh4p41lPNuHyQnyiXt7wqaZgmECt5v3iSESMhNNMdjGdwkuV4ctSFUYgELd7dA8d-HanYMVFxkKsBoxxFVjZFs_ZKO28BawGLYg6p138tXrtGt2EXok-Wv0CXiL1aFhT6mUK-dg/s400/16-back-lane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555005099683929426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />To the right of the tree line, the big house seen from the side.<blockquote><br /></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoyHQep4b2zTqxNmBOwiwNb0dJip7ad21icNkiisei3ynOBmCpfueU24L3Puql9FHALJyuejFZfPxitlAsqeB4KQxU3H9OFsySkDVy2B_xaoTAmiM0rYq59h99hqP367MJ0SYcbPJaeQ/s1600/17-Cotswold-house-in-snow.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoyHQep4b2zTqxNmBOwiwNb0dJip7ad21icNkiisei3ynOBmCpfueU24L3Puql9FHALJyuejFZfPxitlAsqeB4KQxU3H9OFsySkDVy2B_xaoTAmiM0rYq59h99hqP367MJ0SYcbPJaeQ/s400/17-Cotswold-house-in-snow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555005094872062322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>As we come off the road and turn back into farmland, the snow becomes deeper and completely unsullied, undulating over the ploughed trenches like a white desert.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6a-8fgzo2pNPnJUzfWfxLkvD-O5AfDQnpXfERiXBqlg0o3WOMO3kpYmdCa_LdTaOUA8x4MSy6rb360A8pqAsXczhDUsCd1e9meNmQL5WAvxwRc2DjcMlUtMmrI-sad-vwXiOHsb85yoU/s1600/11-Snow-drifts.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6a-8fgzo2pNPnJUzfWfxLkvD-O5AfDQnpXfERiXBqlg0o3WOMO3kpYmdCa_LdTaOUA8x4MSy6rb360A8pqAsXczhDUsCd1e9meNmQL5WAvxwRc2DjcMlUtMmrI-sad-vwXiOHsb85yoU/s400/11-Snow-drifts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555002122864575890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>Looking back to see the deep path we have trodden; it was only a few months ago that I was walking here on cracked, baked earth, brushing through chest high wheat, the sun hot on my back, feeling slightly spooked by the whispering of the dried corn heads.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSu8akzuowienMDtoIrH1koyhJVzU9beQxMeY9SrKyDqd2V1J4yoj8vwPFvp4_7EEjpXKUFfTxnmFF-QBoMyI7Gj1z5oNYtQRhKrAaWR-uv04BJ7fDexyI2HQGW_3-tfuwfF4zaAb97zQ/s1600/12-thick-field-snow.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSu8akzuowienMDtoIrH1koyhJVzU9beQxMeY9SrKyDqd2V1J4yoj8vwPFvp4_7EEjpXKUFfTxnmFF-QBoMyI7Gj1z5oNYtQRhKrAaWR-uv04BJ7fDexyI2HQGW_3-tfuwfF4zaAb97zQ/s400/12-thick-field-snow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555002120549255234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>Wait for me Andy - I'm still taking photos!</span><blockquote><br /></blockquote><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRxlm6KStALzJM8zdXXoDfM4d8MHs3f_AYEyugmdZ0Hu19vUj57zO6-4WBgogeI5rWCOsMgrBwU6HJxQDCUvtirh2vjD2Sp6Fdiovcuj08tqDmdfsoSBPASEvjSSvIO8nX2o0EQJPTlg/s1600/13-Home-through-snow-fields.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRxlm6KStALzJM8zdXXoDfM4d8MHs3f_AYEyugmdZ0Hu19vUj57zO6-4WBgogeI5rWCOsMgrBwU6HJxQDCUvtirh2vjD2Sp6Fdiovcuj08tqDmdfsoSBPASEvjSSvIO8nX2o0EQJPTlg/s400/13-Home-through-snow-fields.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555002120932522066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>Time to head home - the village is but a few minutes away, through the hole in the hedge - there is the church and spire beyond, just seen through the freezing mist.<blockquote><br /></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZI_napG9FlfgwV6DaWgkPllv-8Gt7lX76TPCFWZDTKsupt_q37slyV8fBY9mD5C0B4fU_Gic_O-TBIg6ue4obyIcWs2DP170zXlIoqexFYLwgVeHkjA42lRVNwBDDR1ZMM0kpPw2J7NY/s1600/14-Hole-in-the-hedge.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZI_napG9FlfgwV6DaWgkPllv-8Gt7lX76TPCFWZDTKsupt_q37slyV8fBY9mD5C0B4fU_Gic_O-TBIg6ue4obyIcWs2DP170zXlIoqexFYLwgVeHkjA42lRVNwBDDR1ZMM0kpPw2J7NY/s400/14-Hole-in-the-hedge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555002119228662066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Winding tracks in the snow, where the allotments have been a larder for the rabbits and hares - and goodness knows they need it. Next week the temperatures rise and we will have rain. Despite the stunning beauty of the snow, I think animals, birds and humans will breath a collective sigh of relief as life gets back to normal.<blockquote><br /></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PMludghof7sJtft7mGIrA9lWV4rqX8BwvisAbDK47zLslQIYbFGGejeNrBEsXbAimLVAO0NLl1-taJakrYyA80QPzptM7LLA2d4bIzbL0F4otUY1tzp1lJTPljRvijvCMABpVrlcqa4/s1600/15-Allotments-in-snow.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PMludghof7sJtft7mGIrA9lWV4rqX8BwvisAbDK47zLslQIYbFGGejeNrBEsXbAimLVAO0NLl1-taJakrYyA80QPzptM7LLA2d4bIzbL0F4otUY1tzp1lJTPljRvijvCMABpVrlcqa4/s400/15-Allotments-in-snow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555002111092283362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-48847363306065188822010-12-14T11:41:00.000-08:002010-12-14T12:51:37.572-08:00Winter drabness at Eastleach Turville<a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jf6yDtZhPp_pntbz-MjTE9PZt9cEUBPbGGdYyuIJiUUA406QrCcjIkoyJItqKRQfub-U7lj4XhiV-yZSYZI8sUDf6N4F0UKt1diGxW-olLgU3N4Mg2963Z-3keFwctd7Fi1rAQvczGw/s1600/bridge-at-eastleach-turvill.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXyRxaXKT_GH6Nq2x0z5Jx6VYx6IapeQr4DmjwCI8rdAHKCQPRhAVkM1X_HchXJyk158Uo2ztlSZSFjZjAv8iFtqlh-Z8d-Em6kiI9IEr5I_KesAuMm4a2zI7ZtxJGbFWuvyfkPzMMEU/s1600/cottage-at-Eastleach-Turvil.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXyRxaXKT_GH6Nq2x0z5Jx6VYx6IapeQr4DmjwCI8rdAHKCQPRhAVkM1X_HchXJyk158Uo2ztlSZSFjZjAv8iFtqlh-Z8d-Em6kiI9IEr5I_KesAuMm4a2zI7ZtxJGbFWuvyfkPzMMEU/s400/cottage-at-Eastleach-Turvil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550627592350431458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>With the weather milder - but still dank and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wintery</span> - long walks are resumed. The kind of 'duty' walks taken with a stiff upper lip and the intention to get it all over with as soon as possible in order that one might return to a warm sofa, feeling virtuous of soul. Even the pretty village of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Eastleach</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Turville</span> seemed subdued as we started out. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEcfe13vSdISQznhJ9NmtywUtwlpznFkEzt-xiZOAvkpV7EBrJE2Alhp26W4U1IjKHeyfLuyXWES97eH34G4kCOPDvXx5RH4IU17ZmrpR88upREJubAFw4k6XQzZ9U-5CCTeB_SavAAw/s1600/The-Leach-from-clapper-brid.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEcfe13vSdISQznhJ9NmtywUtwlpznFkEzt-xiZOAvkpV7EBrJE2Alhp26W4U1IjKHeyfLuyXWES97eH34G4kCOPDvXx5RH4IU17ZmrpR88upREJubAFw4k6XQzZ9U-5CCTeB_SavAAw/s400/The-Leach-from-clapper-brid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550627591481762386" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>The river Leach runs through the centre of the village, clean and crystal clear. Behind the trees peeps the tower of one the two churches which sit almost side by side - therein hangs a tale for another day, it is too cold to stand around telling stories.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptvWtEr7QGmWDcm4EITtNid2z6Rv2DO2KS9FiDdTHQAOPezpC0YOGMNcEuikY4YlaOivhaRt6DCQ_HwtgBiuOLUUBGkcqGn7Yy4nJxzCV3EMZ_tGhAU4a2UsPEl5ZzCC3IQTcMggu8QQ/s1600/The-Leach.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptvWtEr7QGmWDcm4EITtNid2z6Rv2DO2KS9FiDdTHQAOPezpC0YOGMNcEuikY4YlaOivhaRt6DCQ_HwtgBiuOLUUBGkcqGn7Yy4nJxzCV3EMZ_tGhAU4a2UsPEl5ZzCC3IQTcMggu8QQ/s400/The-Leach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550627337142659538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Sharp eyed Andy spotted a brown trout somehow, amid all the drab browns and greens of the flowing river.<br /><blockquote></blockquote></span><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqPYihc8YdhQAc9Bzj623MvOzPnyzrwHLRv-P1-YL2yu_L82vaipiA0GlgFmTEkd290m34uI4o5fSmjxdh8wDvaw4UynjLEJqikysg6MbamAh2i2zqNQKxSu4hfkc017WH89s9V-yD2o/s1600/bridge-at-eastleach-turvill.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqPYihc8YdhQAc9Bzj623MvOzPnyzrwHLRv-P1-YL2yu_L82vaipiA0GlgFmTEkd290m34uI4o5fSmjxdh8wDvaw4UynjLEJqikysg6MbamAh2i2zqNQKxSu4hfkc017WH89s9V-yD2o/s400/bridge-at-eastleach-turvill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550627328059269266" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Leaving the village and heading out to the field footpath.<blockquote></blockquote></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6CWh2wrOYzqTpx-cB04NvASbVJnw5Tbbh1saXUUR23JgxttkxowJ_YTDJMzsj7q0Ykr55k5BCeizlYEjwc7tYKqh7CKJznGc4dgUunPPp5RiTaYOZrX-W6gEl0PbxY6yjaJFGVA3TgE/s1600/Eastleach-Turville.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6CWh2wrOYzqTpx-cB04NvASbVJnw5Tbbh1saXUUR23JgxttkxowJ_YTDJMzsj7q0Ykr55k5BCeizlYEjwc7tYKqh7CKJznGc4dgUunPPp5RiTaYOZrX-W6gEl0PbxY6yjaJFGVA3TgE/s400/Eastleach-Turville.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550627325197921074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>Passing an unpicked orchard, the apples a cheerful brightness against the gloom.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span><blockquote></blockquote><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-M6CTCuRvh3oHuQzeEqEYJK56e7iw4g5xTTkSbI0khCB1ZxMz9goKplqzQdkDIexh07CHjANzbZnDpfqAyEVhWpiBFgqrGfWtgxQE-_INwTuwHoJ6zVRQ1uGd0V_K5-1Cpy1Z5vO73Q/s1600/winter-orchard.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-M6CTCuRvh3oHuQzeEqEYJK56e7iw4g5xTTkSbI0khCB1ZxMz9goKplqzQdkDIexh07CHjANzbZnDpfqAyEVhWpiBFgqrGfWtgxQE-_INwTuwHoJ6zVRQ1uGd0V_K5-1Cpy1Z5vO73Q/s400/winter-orchard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550627318003960194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote><br />This is one of the bleakest times of the year - not even the faint promise of spring to lift the heart.<blockquote></blockquote></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhc2OIo5nQ3Vu2G7UQ9Z_MWhgcIcaGzcV64YWl7i12QLjvU7-tkUqhDOsU1IZ2FtcsKtBnclV-ILsv0FvYWLhf-AgZ8A-prZkeYjG-68MUIMDeAimHrqcz0rEgA-DuGmKaKsXxjzcD6Q/s1600/Eastleach-Turville-estate.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhc2OIo5nQ3Vu2G7UQ9Z_MWhgcIcaGzcV64YWl7i12QLjvU7-tkUqhDOsU1IZ2FtcsKtBnclV-ILsv0FvYWLhf-AgZ8A-prZkeYjG-68MUIMDeAimHrqcz0rEgA-DuGmKaKsXxjzcD6Q/s400/Eastleach-Turville-estate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550627309048701650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>The sheep are quiet and sluggish, streaming slowly away from us as we walk through the valley.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRKnEIdUKb8JhKWprGIE9EUF2QoDrHgOtpC8xFt4nL2XfXE3G-vi5iWlHnDUvfwQhgZtoTiIhVmciMJvHSTLxnW1CPvDQJ_dQKNWAk3-BB1xbH_P7umv3bAe2kYH22RNJ3q6yL41VFGY/s1600/sheep-at-Eastleach-Turville.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRKnEIdUKb8JhKWprGIE9EUF2QoDrHgOtpC8xFt4nL2XfXE3G-vi5iWlHnDUvfwQhgZtoTiIhVmciMJvHSTLxnW1CPvDQJ_dQKNWAk3-BB1xbH_P7umv3bAe2kYH22RNJ3q6yL41VFGY/s400/sheep-at-Eastleach-Turville.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550626946409864258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>At last we reach our stopping point - this rather dull looking muddy track is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akeman_Street"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Akeman</span> Street,</a> part of the old Roman Road which stretches across this part of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cotswolds</span>. Here we hunker down on the stone wall and gratefully drink watery hot chocolate.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBWMYO4bXWknm81WOK9Odhsu3FHLMJPxNENn0FnO0dN6KKghhobDDcSk208875ZWWDmZzeiOCqXuIiRaESXffhTc_h_LlwO_2wjFF9Ebi71YI_gItmajxWR_BeMB5ggCRvGt0URbesdM/s1600/Akerman-Street-at-Eastleach.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBWMYO4bXWknm81WOK9Odhsu3FHLMJPxNENn0FnO0dN6KKghhobDDcSk208875ZWWDmZzeiOCqXuIiRaESXffhTc_h_LlwO_2wjFF9Ebi71YI_gItmajxWR_BeMB5ggCRvGt0URbesdM/s400/Akerman-Street-at-Eastleach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550626931214401890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>From <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Akeman</span> Street looking across to the </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.ernestcooktrust.org.uk/estates/glos/hatherop.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Hatherop</span> Estate</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> as the afternoon draws to a close. We must hurry, if we are not to be finishing our walk in darkness.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VwSW7LL2HAOhEIG8022TtvC0peTusY9IrqkCeEClIrJLKuvRlivO6uqMUtMS6Rum8dk4fN5b8YDRXNcgFb7vXvxq5MGg5gwzN0Z9vWB4bCWyX7Qs6XYhAZTz37P9pQoBgcJzf1tgyyE/s1600/from-Akerman-Street-to-Hath.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VwSW7LL2HAOhEIG8022TtvC0peTusY9IrqkCeEClIrJLKuvRlivO6uqMUtMS6Rum8dk4fN5b8YDRXNcgFb7vXvxq5MGg5gwzN0Z9vWB4bCWyX7Qs6XYhAZTz37P9pQoBgcJzf1tgyyE/s400/from-Akerman-Street-to-Hath.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550626920477712514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>But the too-short day catches up with us and soon the trees are dark shadow dancers as we trudge along muddy grass. A lone black bull <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">sillhoutted</span> against the night sky, bellows a challenge in the chill dusk.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZ8YNiDqb1Ns232z5Qjnf2Oxhd1RZ3Z6wn8b3AItGe_XuQJe1y7b1xXedcYYRcedjAQ_A_kLvkbw8ejm8sLnhjSb0iVqKmzXasOLC4giEcyYfhwHjsxyuYUmZVXXmziVB51zRZbaBB7o/s1600/winter-evening-walk.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZ8YNiDqb1Ns232z5Qjnf2Oxhd1RZ3Z6wn8b3AItGe_XuQJe1y7b1xXedcYYRcedjAQ_A_kLvkbw8ejm8sLnhjSb0iVqKmzXasOLC4giEcyYfhwHjsxyuYUmZVXXmziVB51zRZbaBB7o/s400/winter-evening-walk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550626884979451138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>With much relief and tired legs, we return to the village, now <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">festively</span> lit with decorated cottages. Such a reviving sight after a rather melancholy walk and the realisation, not for the first time, that if Christmas didn't exist in mid-winter, it would have to be invented.<blockquote><br /></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5P_eMxdIuBQ0Zc1fUiqrbqkSVLLjIftaD5UK23HUfKqKN_w2CNFJCRhDBW8Q79-wMadAkwZhokkEMlRGZ-E3jqSpJ3iC6rqJpRQtgRiv9zJpgQaGDfYFgVDD4y26BtQ26xkr-XLsNIU/s1600/Christmas-cotswold-cottage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5P_eMxdIuBQ0Zc1fUiqrbqkSVLLjIftaD5UK23HUfKqKN_w2CNFJCRhDBW8Q79-wMadAkwZhokkEMlRGZ-E3jqSpJ3iC6rqJpRQtgRiv9zJpgQaGDfYFgVDD4y26BtQ26xkr-XLsNIU/s400/Christmas-cotswold-cottage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550626874178337858" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">By co-incidence, </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://cotswoldpeeps.blogspot.com/2009/12/winter-walk-dec-13.html">we did part of this walk</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> exactly (to the day) a year ago, but the weather was somewhat less gloomy, as can be seen by comparing some of the photos.</span><br /></div></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-58079238565791038072010-12-06T08:14:00.000-08:002010-12-06T08:50:41.165-08:00Blue green and white<div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKQZ7LGr4tH7f1PTM19neYgs1mAZQ2fOslMvstpQQOlO9tHUJh-8iVbTePxSZr3EsW4_BXuH8g_BzCfm_WkyIEztKY-iwT0rOrkPN28P-ql7kr44j8SdoZ6fqJ741uLxfxULC1_D0SzM/s1600/Winter-greens.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKQZ7LGr4tH7f1PTM19neYgs1mAZQ2fOslMvstpQQOlO9tHUJh-8iVbTePxSZr3EsW4_BXuH8g_BzCfm_WkyIEztKY-iwT0rOrkPN28P-ql7kr44j8SdoZ6fqJ741uLxfxULC1_D0SzM/s400/Winter-greens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547603759713825298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><br />Readers who subscribe to my other blog will know that in early October I </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://allaroundus.blogspot.com/2010/10/herefordshire-break.html">broke my upper arm</a><span style="font-family:arial;">. It's been a long two months and I've been somewhat reclusive since then, venturing out for little local walks when I have had the energy - and not at all in the recent sub-zero temperatures we have not-been-enjoying in the normally temperate UK. But things do, eventually return to normal and yesterday saw a thawing, to our relief, although we have been comparatively lucky, sheltered beneath high ground.<br /><br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSC-5Ek9WA-OWwsW7grlmbQ5z5VXw7If1hQSk7hVrVLoKaJ32ve2pf-AlOqLwpMN-eQtqoeMPeWTBNuwbeFtIah713n_oRgA3op2JmXzk2auWjmHJAkiBPYqCP7miA_b06p5A1WlKEht8/s1600/Village-from-afar.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSC-5Ek9WA-OWwsW7grlmbQ5z5VXw7If1hQSk7hVrVLoKaJ32ve2pf-AlOqLwpMN-eQtqoeMPeWTBNuwbeFtIah713n_oRgA3op2JmXzk2auWjmHJAkiBPYqCP7miA_b06p5A1WlKEht8/s400/Village-from-afar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547603750871937842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />My walk yesterday was the first for weeks and it was simply the same route I've been treading for eight years. It is hard to see it with a fresh eye, especially when one is feeling dull and tired. Winter is, by definition, a fairly lifeless season but the winter greens are managing to push through. Over to my left, as I negotiate icy mud, our village nestles almost camouflaged in the landscape like a brown sleeping mouse in a bundle of dead leaves.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzGle6Bx696z7MrUikUH_9xHlCm4eruEPrzlnCZ7AQL5klYZfr3y7uijx9uB5H8HituHTGlYPDb-lq3MBaqIBrINYIEzlF93fwHgq8-4SdO7PwvikPYRv8Db4QeNSSE61qKfQa4s7Nhs/s1600/sheep-and-crows.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzGle6Bx696z7MrUikUH_9xHlCm4eruEPrzlnCZ7AQL5klYZfr3y7uijx9uB5H8HituHTGlYPDb-lq3MBaqIBrINYIEzlF93fwHgq8-4SdO7PwvikPYRv8Db4QeNSSE61qKfQa4s7Nhs/s400/sheep-and-crows.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547603749494528802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />The sheep seem to be weathering the cold, as are the many flocks of crows and jackdaws which punctuate my walk with constant cackles and caws.<br /><br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4JHKHHgX04ogY4oGyPSsXZXwUREyfX39YZdW5AMIgwIMIGnV63rCQTHdJ-OLZdXakoyG9kcG76xWnPgBk4ShsLjvKLUdgiv6NMWv66tvb8SohkboVyhMHGQffd8Ss7a6otTwEvGxyqo/s1600/back-lane.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4JHKHHgX04ogY4oGyPSsXZXwUREyfX39YZdW5AMIgwIMIGnV63rCQTHdJ-OLZdXakoyG9kcG76xWnPgBk4ShsLjvKLUdgiv6NMWv66tvb8SohkboVyhMHGQffd8Ss7a6otTwEvGxyqo/s400/back-lane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547603744179391026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><br />But just as it seems as if nothing can break through my ennui, I notice the vivid tans and browns of the landscape, glowing in the warm sun which is melting the last of the snow.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUnFoZubK-DT65LytGx6IZWXkqSYQCJeDlQ9En6LNQbXyS5XMJGp8_86W25uCxoMRYyM61NxMzEqfAvMsjYZddFz2sD8pAiHkllhk3mWRY7TBvKRaIuw7dCfK3GCq1p31zjGe3siIgb4/s1600/hunting-cloud.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUnFoZubK-DT65LytGx6IZWXkqSYQCJeDlQ9En6LNQbXyS5XMJGp8_86W25uCxoMRYyM61NxMzEqfAvMsjYZddFz2sD8pAiHkllhk3mWRY7TBvKRaIuw7dCfK3GCq1p31zjGe3siIgb4/s400/hunting-cloud.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547603741489407010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />And the way a cloud formation can look exactly like a giant bird of prey in hunched, hunting position, tail down and wings spread.</span><br /><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-81170892476518001572010-10-11T10:47:00.000-07:002010-10-18T04:35:03.068-07:00Combe church wall paintings<div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRNIlw-_cXTdzifIht5ODFbFYg91F3mFEt5SsaVKIYeyBSONIr-G3meMGwfk4g39PPKvenWDxrMxxyz4k7HC6_3R0f9KYbS346hAKyDeGFlVNreHhB08Aw7wBRxhs3upcJgBZKIz8XOM/s1600/St-Laurence-church-Combe-Ox.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRNIlw-_cXTdzifIht5ODFbFYg91F3mFEt5SsaVKIYeyBSONIr-G3meMGwfk4g39PPKvenWDxrMxxyz4k7HC6_3R0f9KYbS346hAKyDeGFlVNreHhB08Aw7wBRxhs3upcJgBZKIz8XOM/s400/St-Laurence-church-Combe-Ox.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525740238561272562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I think it was in July that we were in the pretty West Oxfordshire village of Combe for a game of cricket. The grounds are set just to the village edge, overlooking the small but imposing church of St Laurence - originally built in the Norman era and rebuilt in the late 1300s. Inside, to my delight, my eyes first fell on this magnificent 'Doom' wall painting showing the Last Judgement.<blockquote></blockquote></span><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsw8fZYQUwMxADaxIR-LYJZHEHOvVMq-AJ3lG-G5Pe8aCe1oGBfeKIy68SBCoKC3tiPdy0MV5_D9N4rVvI9rf-1PXeheRHm4RPaugU0eZmftNgrJA9T0ro6TtJGVS6g4NySjVAzYEuv4/s1600/Doom-wall-painting-Combe.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsw8fZYQUwMxADaxIR-LYJZHEHOvVMq-AJ3lG-G5Pe8aCe1oGBfeKIy68SBCoKC3tiPdy0MV5_D9N4rVvI9rf-1PXeheRHm4RPaugU0eZmftNgrJA9T0ro6TtJGVS6g4NySjVAzYEuv4/s400/Doom-wall-painting-Combe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525740146681778370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>Discovered in 1894 by the Rev. S.Pearce, it is thought that they were painted around 1440 by the monks of nearby Eynsham Abbey. In the centre, wounds showing, is Christ triumphant. </span><blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOU54rBnQWy8BrIOUKzsxozAZ82itzhlp7o7Nl3etbng48IVjMMqe-jQPD9MD5YhfRysZSKNOP4mR9R9vazihqSF34Z47hTPTaDjrWqDwG7MJjC6YC-KzyhhxXXLJpshZ1CR54Vgaq8A/s1600/Doom-wall-painting-combe-detail-Christ.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOU54rBnQWy8BrIOUKzsxozAZ82itzhlp7o7Nl3etbng48IVjMMqe-jQPD9MD5YhfRysZSKNOP4mR9R9vazihqSF34Z47hTPTaDjrWqDwG7MJjC6YC-KzyhhxXXLJpshZ1CR54Vgaq8A/s400/Doom-wall-painting-combe-detail-Christ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525740142467027314" border="0" /></a><br /></blockquote><span style="font-family:arial;">To his right, Apostles and the Saved, rising from their graves.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeRjkn9JW5CO8em2p-uzxY-SfDFV1CMUvVoPmOUECpnPdfPIov3hjDVO2fCbLNHcuV-fklQUpBcrc4agsDtkayMi_5HbStdRggKi85kDmQVUGBzeKASpdLR-fJmNfZp2uiui2A4rMk9U/s1600/Doom-wall-painting-combe-de.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeRjkn9JW5CO8em2p-uzxY-SfDFV1CMUvVoPmOUECpnPdfPIov3hjDVO2fCbLNHcuV-fklQUpBcrc4agsDtkayMi_5HbStdRggKi85kDmQVUGBzeKASpdLR-fJmNfZp2uiui2A4rMk9U/s400/Doom-wall-painting-combe-de.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525740145432481282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />More ghoulishly (and perhaps more entertaining) - are the unsaved, suffering terrible agonies and being devoured by a Hellish demon monster. How rich the natural colours are, even after all the centuries. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi570LRsDLAr9w7IPQcM2T021P_VWMUHy2FmFzwmhHEACZyhyphenhyphenX1e-kZ_bBb93yrq3i1plB3EIZ614HhI7q5nj27qtgrS_hVMPksbZs2Vo2AqT2AyGZmIIFU9eTgur7P8azNfilJGqjahYg/s1600/doom-wall-painting-combe-un.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi570LRsDLAr9w7IPQcM2T021P_VWMUHy2FmFzwmhHEACZyhyphenhyphenX1e-kZ_bBb93yrq3i1plB3EIZ614HhI7q5nj27qtgrS_hVMPksbZs2Vo2AqT2AyGZmIIFU9eTgur7P8azNfilJGqjahYg/s400/doom-wall-painting-combe-un.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525740138574627410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Just beneath, a Crucifixion scene.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGp0k3PUVdqJDHzloEn4rU4xzHWmaasFRetusorhIF-4Urxo7IzR0w5Bu6gfeUO_v0xzNiRIt6xcqlzG_ZcGvERWVcS9EhEBaLie-twsCwGc4ijVQTVAyEib2IItOU9yqwu30mak0TWYE/s1600/Combe-church-wall-painting-.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGp0k3PUVdqJDHzloEn4rU4xzHWmaasFRetusorhIF-4Urxo7IzR0w5Bu6gfeUO_v0xzNiRIt6xcqlzG_ZcGvERWVcS9EhEBaLie-twsCwGc4ijVQTVAyEib2IItOU9yqwu30mak0TWYE/s400/Combe-church-wall-painting-.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525740134076406882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Over the South door, the commandments write large, flanked by Moses - only a faint tracery on the left - and Aaron with his mitre, to the right.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2BcdjfHnnzHUHUIFY2-4k4xN4GWhC06fYyUcSH-9nDLGIupLdiQHehdlWQfbZHTPwnepDfp15Zf9RqRAO0iKwJ46-3qCooyXneM3PGZhT2-pfo2HHgIr7IvLLeocqpWfiJHA9Un5b_Q/s1600/Combe-wall-painting.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2BcdjfHnnzHUHUIFY2-4k4xN4GWhC06fYyUcSH-9nDLGIupLdiQHehdlWQfbZHTPwnepDfp15Zf9RqRAO0iKwJ46-3qCooyXneM3PGZhT2-pfo2HHgIr7IvLLeocqpWfiJHA9Un5b_Q/s400/Combe-wall-painting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525739796671716162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Dating from the seventeenth century, it covers an earlier mural of St Christopher - the most visible remains of which are a mermaid and fish. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcJF9Q2J1Gu_BkvL1YAM3u_Iw79X9wMQvFGU5-TEv1t9iAuEMiqOdHJVwxAbSpWPUjuUygq9M3kQK1vRm9xmsUgc-xNDBy_m2hyphenhyphenVxqoSw-IhyphenhyphencEpVWXyKadfaaqj_pYSljVVcSKbzkwU/s1600/Combe-church-wall-painting.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcJF9Q2J1Gu_BkvL1YAM3u_Iw79X9wMQvFGU5-TEv1t9iAuEMiqOdHJVwxAbSpWPUjuUygq9M3kQK1vRm9xmsUgc-xNDBy_m2hyphenhyphenVxqoSw-IhyphenhyphencEpVWXyKadfaaqj_pYSljVVcSKbzkwU/s400/Combe-church-wall-painting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525739786199813570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The Annunciation - a partner to the Crucifixion on the other wall side - is badly decomposed, but the Angel Gabriel can be seen announcing '<span style="font-style: italic;">Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum</span>' (Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee). And the hand of God reaching down from the Heavens. These two paintings, teamed with the Doom painting looming over them, would have shown the community the simple core of Christian thinking - Christ the son of God, born of Mary the Virgin, crucified that mankind might be saved to rise again on the final day of Judgement. Or not, as the case may be.<br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvcV12YRtrdNuFcEVfWxo5px65OcyKmnGecG_9XvFlkBMyyeqdN42Hg5-zPSBEydNT4ZLjXTxB0Yyt6z6CZoI4rWE53wneMdQ2296208RsOEQOewpNRIBnpcmf4o5p7ayxi31c3AUocQ/s1600/Combe-wall-painting-angel.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvcV12YRtrdNuFcEVfWxo5px65OcyKmnGecG_9XvFlkBMyyeqdN42Hg5-zPSBEydNT4ZLjXTxB0Yyt6z6CZoI4rWE53wneMdQ2296208RsOEQOewpNRIBnpcmf4o5p7ayxi31c3AUocQ/s400/Combe-wall-painting-angel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525739789997068834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Higher up, angels glow jewel-like, preserved fragments of Medieval stained glass, dating to around 1450. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhuTAOIlQixRvQuaCfQfDyUuVYxsYZPU3XVnwD_4MGptJ06Yumjlx_pHoOwpD81QLQkMu3gEiW8A0N1tZQ6W31CtS6hcB-dtVw87EtKZxY4xrA81ytemdJ3VznGBOGUQvv-PjqodtDLo/s1600/combe-church-stained-glass-.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhuTAOIlQixRvQuaCfQfDyUuVYxsYZPU3XVnwD_4MGptJ06Yumjlx_pHoOwpD81QLQkMu3gEiW8A0N1tZQ6W31CtS6hcB-dtVw87EtKZxY4xrA81ytemdJ3VznGBOGUQvv-PjqodtDLo/s400/combe-church-stained-glass-.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525739781859726338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I returned thoughtfully to the cricket, pondering the paths of time; once the monks of Eynsham Abbey built and decorated the church at Combe. Today, our team - Eynsham - were playing the locals at cricket, in the shadow of St Laurence's, nestling in the surrounding trees, to the left. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOn31KB5uyI_gavEapnPFer2Gu6PJA5lHqLSwQUx5_j1WPaN_uqhv0auHSuE6cCKaNpDj9eeSurKpctDvR0inXX4i2Gv89ofaeE1RWZ6iV3A439GDcIPLMb75u2NEKKRvxViNn5yQrXE/s1600/Combe-cricket-pitch.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOn31KB5uyI_gavEapnPFer2Gu6PJA5lHqLSwQUx5_j1WPaN_uqhv0auHSuE6cCKaNpDj9eeSurKpctDvR0inXX4i2Gv89ofaeE1RWZ6iV3A439GDcIPLMb75u2NEKKRvxViNn5yQrXE/s400/Combe-cricket-pitch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525739781025232242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-34433652868542025132010-10-04T08:27:00.000-07:002010-10-05T11:48:57.627-07:00October woods<div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAW4e_hJYB-dor5Awu-UZg7rzvcp2BuTH9oFmYMKfRhExBXzmZODSJDlotJx7co_M-rlqEaE4Dx1vVMh2FRVmujWBufbS4v2V2nn3SjuIUc-UbavaGvhJ2I0GHkzAaVCH4Q4qzIqvmS4/s1600/path-into-woods.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAW4e_hJYB-dor5Awu-UZg7rzvcp2BuTH9oFmYMKfRhExBXzmZODSJDlotJx7co_M-rlqEaE4Dx1vVMh2FRVmujWBufbS4v2V2nn3SjuIUc-UbavaGvhJ2I0GHkzAaVCH4Q4qzIqvmS4/s400/path-into-woods.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524234733776464866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Monday was glorious - after days of rain we were treated to a balmy remnant of summer and despite suffering yet another cold I felt drawn to the woods as if seeking sanctuary there.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfbExbZHPZpkPDx4PcmK3q6rhz7fezGQQUook-ucBW-NTKOYYlSCd298NYaE4FKEmgcWP9S58ySGjP-CMSdoy6LyZ42CkL4_H3IFLlp7N3KR6f1e8m7UmFeGPAXW2wFe4vcRNlLvR3VE/s1600/woody-path.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfbExbZHPZpkPDx4PcmK3q6rhz7fezGQQUook-ucBW-NTKOYYlSCd298NYaE4FKEmgcWP9S58ySGjP-CMSdoy6LyZ42CkL4_H3IFLlp7N3KR6f1e8m7UmFeGPAXW2wFe4vcRNlLvR3VE/s400/woody-path.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524234729435641426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>All manner of insects had emerged to enjoy this treat - from little red ladybirds zooming furiously about, like small red flying machines, to a large bumble bee queen clumsily bustling hither and thither; she was over an inch in length and making her presence felt. I was headed to the central beech grove where I knew I would find many toadstools - sadly several had been kicked over (a personal bete noire of mine).</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTf9BGaXOtG6rkOtbSKfliq5nnHllzQqPAfICrItticCfzQpF5WzumjWOGBjY2S86fZRqE6mgUjrxdla-jBgfJtFOzfhjw0_DRIlMgOwpAapsK61QcIduqxHDUN-8ONHYF6dBCEMoFMRA/s1600/beech-grove.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTf9BGaXOtG6rkOtbSKfliq5nnHllzQqPAfICrItticCfzQpF5WzumjWOGBjY2S86fZRqE6mgUjrxdla-jBgfJtFOzfhjw0_DRIlMgOwpAapsK61QcIduqxHDUN-8ONHYF6dBCEMoFMRA/s400/beech-grove.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524225218172538994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>These rather ugly specimens are, I think, 'Charcoal Burners' which vary in colour - I didn't think to rub them at the time, which would have been the give away as the skin is greasy to the touch. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxYme4drr_XGKX88zkE2ErMWBAmIEC467PySrxS6VKv2ulFC_hkeBuB_L4_0CNWrzO_O9syrb2otRLdE08jjSMNhQ6KH2CgrzfiSAZKn6S7I62CRNB6dezGxLNqTylysckRwL10RLnCM/s1600/charcoal-burner.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxYme4drr_XGKX88zkE2ErMWBAmIEC467PySrxS6VKv2ulFC_hkeBuB_L4_0CNWrzO_O9syrb2otRLdE08jjSMNhQ6KH2CgrzfiSAZKn6S7I62CRNB6dezGxLNqTylysckRwL10RLnCM/s400/charcoal-burner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524234734564805586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>These are new to me - Velvet Shanks - I didn't discover until later that they are edible, though the rather slimy coating is a little off putting.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGXBwNtk-kDclYjlrt3TXvexHDhn31P8k8mpvK-QO3myQ052G_5BUi1R2eQdbYuQkqeXL0BJSEmRJrcMnpNCUGqQcI02d3_gbIDwTQsdyrea1t39hZNzVqbkZ00GqFnUNJjRoFGjeW_A/s1600/velvet-shank.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGXBwNtk-kDclYjlrt3TXvexHDhn31P8k8mpvK-QO3myQ052G_5BUi1R2eQdbYuQkqeXL0BJSEmRJrcMnpNCUGqQcI02d3_gbIDwTQsdyrea1t39hZNzVqbkZ00GqFnUNJjRoFGjeW_A/s400/velvet-shank.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524229008765480242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>This was a great natural composition, the trio of Panther Caps - with a little flash of violet behind the far left hand one - </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguB4wpcnlqODJrtTyJ9BykwIywBoAns6f3hh4qxvzyIoVz8v0RqB7jFG1tjjmug2V-cibrktW_JxBgFfKfXFMyoIjOMMq6W804AuO8ScQTHGz2J2QTwNcqlq9DGgSUcA1b8RZaMZY-kUs/s1600/Panther-caps.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguB4wpcnlqODJrtTyJ9BykwIywBoAns6f3hh4qxvzyIoVz8v0RqB7jFG1tjjmug2V-cibrktW_JxBgFfKfXFMyoIjOMMq6W804AuO8ScQTHGz2J2QTwNcqlq9DGgSUcA1b8RZaMZY-kUs/s400/Panther-caps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524225210225407250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Which was a pair of pretty tiny Amethyst Deceivers next door to an even smaller unidentified toadstool.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrTikX95U7YYVV9UKGZIGKbdev9srygL1O6oAZtZSpbFQ_sJLfbGIOOTHVbAfoQOjGFUUnPzepq5uxgfFlMF5W8WYnEg-K-FEGNoZPPB5nlWg4szB_Hq4AFe3C0OuA6Voonp4Xffn2fE/s1600/amethyst-deceiver.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrTikX95U7YYVV9UKGZIGKbdev9srygL1O6oAZtZSpbFQ_sJLfbGIOOTHVbAfoQOjGFUUnPzepq5uxgfFlMF5W8WYnEg-K-FEGNoZPPB5nlWg4szB_Hq4AFe3C0OuA6Voonp4Xffn2fE/s400/amethyst-deceiver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524229003011214114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>As is this one; I trawled my fungi guides but could not find it. The cap was a magnificent 6 inches wide. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAANwyQCsejVoJGY3ysPj9KSXs_2xGLDixq59G0UuZh1j-6MyOgl-HBRu84xoInHpCEb9pu4Zv5KGbFl6OXiRNFcsr_sm1m2m91mFpZ24oCNM-eJxQHMiwNLTRk8S1LtUnAiDH7nQMyo/s1600/mushroom.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAANwyQCsejVoJGY3ysPj9KSXs_2xGLDixq59G0UuZh1j-6MyOgl-HBRu84xoInHpCEb9pu4Zv5KGbFl6OXiRNFcsr_sm1m2m91mFpZ24oCNM-eJxQHMiwNLTRk8S1LtUnAiDH7nQMyo/s400/mushroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524225211894662946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>Now that autumn is falling upon us, the woods take on a witchy, tangled atmosphere. I startled a Muntjac deer somewhere in this density, which began barking a loud alarm call. It would only have be the size of a small dog - knee high - but it sounds like a creature three times it's size.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYTgHdCsCm76HPqS7uMs8mylwQeuyuZtHXKlxcvNAjbn7vnpy_RQ1f7dhqdgqn1Gl7qbdcjhp_xahYjnL1sIbcSbIMyDp0yhvUq-nRYF0-jf1ZkZHCcsuxFkXUzBFItDUL5BD6qLWnzk/s1600/birch-trees.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYTgHdCsCm76HPqS7uMs8mylwQeuyuZtHXKlxcvNAjbn7vnpy_RQ1f7dhqdgqn1Gl7qbdcjhp_xahYjnL1sIbcSbIMyDp0yhvUq-nRYF0-jf1ZkZHCcsuxFkXUzBFItDUL5BD6qLWnzk/s400/birch-trees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524225204907938338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>Another Panther Cap - pleasing to look at, but very poisonous. They are commonly confused with Blushers, which are technically edible, but the two are so similar I would not risk it. The Panther Cap is much darker and it's stipe (stem) remains white when broken...</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTW-p4cOjJRY11oha4EBZa3Hpf1q70kLoqrT1ORxmMJJacZUHanCT4zihy9DUfB8SlNHuqsUMoFibd3gjspxhG1sHPp3D_xueErUfjERUT5q1CIN42VpC3c7mgwlZsodb0nIVyR_p9UQ/s1600/Panther-cap.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTW-p4cOjJRY11oha4EBZa3Hpf1q70kLoqrT1ORxmMJJacZUHanCT4zihy9DUfB8SlNHuqsUMoFibd3gjspxhG1sHPp3D_xueErUfjERUT5q1CIN42VpC3c7mgwlZsodb0nIVyR_p9UQ/s400/Panther-cap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524217136566189362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>...while the Blusher is a pretty apricot-buff colour with a stipe that tinges pink when damaged, hence the name. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVMD1mc6TG6CG5_DhsPh1wFIxr4E57aX4VE5iAElqaid4pfD7gbtsqmpCH-JixViUWiKn5j2unaceEXMA2CudjSIXgOXPgJi7-Tj_Ou4EwYSpZmEM72P3Ru5hCLdJpeMrWafTRMU-kEA/s1600/Blushers.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVMD1mc6TG6CG5_DhsPh1wFIxr4E57aX4VE5iAElqaid4pfD7gbtsqmpCH-JixViUWiKn5j2unaceEXMA2CudjSIXgOXPgJi7-Tj_Ou4EwYSpZmEM72P3Ru5hCLdJpeMrWafTRMU-kEA/s400/Blushers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524217435652981602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Towards the end of my walk I found this pretty theatrical scene, a setting for a fairytale, the spotlight of sun just waiting for some one's grand entrance and the fungus nestling in the tree roots like an elaborate stage piece.</span><br /><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWP6e7wW8_OuYsuuKReDAmwXBVhPoT2YBqYo17shNqtFbVLKgOYBm7YtoFLJRaDqD25t9n0F6-ljPT2tfzgkpRZWGqxYSO5gSPXZ4lXS1Qp__DwHRjP-XCUggGaw7nYYnbqYv_qt9Sjk/s1600/puddle-of-sunlight-and-tree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWP6e7wW8_OuYsuuKReDAmwXBVhPoT2YBqYo17shNqtFbVLKgOYBm7YtoFLJRaDqD25t9n0F6-ljPT2tfzgkpRZWGqxYSO5gSPXZ4lXS1Qp__DwHRjP-XCUggGaw7nYYnbqYv_qt9Sjk/s400/puddle-of-sunlight-and-tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524217130343086434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Only two hours of rambling around, alone in the woods and when I emerged the sun was still hot.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRyO5QkBAXWSFlgL5XgvT0IDV_wBulyB2JnSYOesDskz4wV2I9MM3si45jimY1-HlGB2KXlXNJsRYCX10lZiIrRomINbivHYAZ69BHv3EmxGFB8d_gkrXcx6CKuGB8CWVfIkiLj5CZhM/s1600/Path-out-of-woods.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRyO5QkBAXWSFlgL5XgvT0IDV_wBulyB2JnSYOesDskz4wV2I9MM3si45jimY1-HlGB2KXlXNJsRYCX10lZiIrRomINbivHYAZ69BHv3EmxGFB8d_gkrXcx6CKuGB8CWVfIkiLj5CZhM/s400/Path-out-of-woods.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524214023795333602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>Waiting for me quietly in the hedge, was Marjorie, my new travelling companion. If you read my other blog, then you might know that poor old Hercules, my trusty bone shaker who has featured in so many of my blog posts here, </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://allaroundus.blogspot.com/2010/09/best-surprise-ever.html">came to an ignoble end</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and is in retirement. But I can certainly go faster and further with young Marjorie - and yes, she is firmly locked to the fence.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqVVzi36FOjmC_2K9puJBxhbFZiIL7EPUJE2SW6iQI2DbWjEn1qyOjVisBlU3uZoc8OkUO-y3LW1FCRyed7VOPUd05Eela3UxxQ1ZyHUk849yPnLc-Ab64v9dwkzsP0FEdYO559c8ev4/s1600/bike-in-woods.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqVVzi36FOjmC_2K9puJBxhbFZiIL7EPUJE2SW6iQI2DbWjEn1qyOjVisBlU3uZoc8OkUO-y3LW1FCRyed7VOPUd05Eela3UxxQ1ZyHUk849yPnLc-Ab64v9dwkzsP0FEdYO559c8ev4/s400/bike-in-woods.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524214018336086242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">ADDITIONAL NOTE - I am merely a hobby fungus spotter, my identifications are not to be taken as expert opinion and I am always happy to be put right. Do use a good fungus guide relevant to your part of the world if you want to be certain of anything.</span><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-24372857552174897412010-08-25T11:38:00.000-07:002010-08-25T12:24:37.014-07:00Cotswold clouds<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcXwsSc4bMcnSPFi7KdGjQifz3eOOhWgKu46LfeTFXPDJxZ7eBfZNPzra5IYRrncE56tLp50qIxKS0VA6eOKnsrZ5tD8u1tXQCCxdPSle9BbkMXwhzR6Be0fmy7qE4n7AFGCvhFafeOc/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcXwsSc4bMcnSPFi7KdGjQifz3eOOhWgKu46LfeTFXPDJxZ7eBfZNPzra5IYRrncE56tLp50qIxKS0VA6eOKnsrZ5tD8u1tXQCCxdPSle9BbkMXwhzR6Be0fmy7qE4n7AFGCvhFafeOc/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509421323934233778" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-family: arial;">The other evening, Andy returned from work and immediately whisked me off on the motorbike (I just had time to grab my camera and helmet). Apparently the views up on the Shipton Downs, a five minute drive away at the top of a long, wide hill, were spectacular. And so they were. Here we had a 180 degree panoramic view of the Cotswolds and the amazing cloud spectacle on display.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCNHwIv2nnkGpCogOYujiFadc-BeWDfqLKo7gHkMt48xWGP4-vUXQVNf_oKYBNKsTZ815zE-4YSJL3FpuVoAYwVwyMWkkz1KlD0FmTqKnbSQUhRo0yf2lDOH6DmdVMNWVStD_fiBg9tU/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCNHwIv2nnkGpCogOYujiFadc-BeWDfqLKo7gHkMt48xWGP4-vUXQVNf_oKYBNKsTZ815zE-4YSJL3FpuVoAYwVwyMWkkz1KlD0FmTqKnbSQUhRo0yf2lDOH6DmdVMNWVStD_fiBg9tU/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509421314635493618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>This next picture is not very remarkable, but if you look right through to the back, you can see a faraway sunlight hill with deep shadowed runnels. This is the</span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-chl/w-countryside_environment/w-archaeology/w-archaeology-places_to_visit/w-archaeology-uffington_white_horse.htm"> Uffington White Horse</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> in the next county, Wiltshire, which I mentioned in my previous post.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvu0wSH1z9jX1pLilFaRwUjifhBZkqQcMpcDw2bQuTdRhBTqm_i3na873kKRDXoAbZe3Ux7r3QSZXQyKyz4eUsxiOahJyMlj90cD9W06Dk9yUPt4dKSrRlcNj1NNQaWtiRs71cDwilBc/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvu0wSH1z9jX1pLilFaRwUjifhBZkqQcMpcDw2bQuTdRhBTqm_i3na873kKRDXoAbZe3Ux7r3QSZXQyKyz4eUsxiOahJyMlj90cD9W06Dk9yUPt4dKSrRlcNj1NNQaWtiRs71cDwilBc/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509421329312073858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>I pushed my zoom as far it it would go, to see if I could pick up the white horse itself. I just about managed it, though the picture quality is poor. It is that little pale wormy thing scriggling down the hillside, just above the two fence posts in the foreground. It is actually about 23 miles away, so to be able to see it with the naked eye (or at least, a camera) is credit to our ancient ancestors who created it.<blockquote></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZ6LgMqFy_40i1f1GepcUCZhBFmSX9XqtDmi9qe31KecQaWVqA3kQYZuQYcYxYW67DMPPrgZAcubqYzfj1xSZfRnWKUdjAsUs26s0wEiuqH1iWjEEMJdKjG-MGZYLrjDSeXuvF24g8M4/s1600/01a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZ6LgMqFy_40i1f1GepcUCZhBFmSX9XqtDmi9qe31KecQaWVqA3kQYZuQYcYxYW67DMPPrgZAcubqYzfj1xSZfRnWKUdjAsUs26s0wEiuqH1iWjEEMJdKjG-MGZYLrjDSeXuvF24g8M4/s400/01a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509425560151262450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Back to breathtaking views - and clouds. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMpAcw3wtwDPsiYfI8ueBhirwTblWKgVRsp24g7V4SwIj0wxPtYaMzeKL7dnejolj0-ipdm3Q_eTN5vVIoegVEzkojE0h9jczUeFmgjeSKl6e4tdIUGgMCxUGLHN7WuOs7y3Ma1wptY0/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMpAcw3wtwDPsiYfI8ueBhirwTblWKgVRsp24g7V4SwIj0wxPtYaMzeKL7dnejolj0-ipdm3Q_eTN5vVIoegVEzkojE0h9jczUeFmgjeSKl6e4tdIUGgMCxUGLHN7WuOs7y3Ma1wptY0/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509419158826273378" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5Ho1CMFkqMVUBxYQuogRQd1A6KU8h9d6qELohIy_OtvxgQPVKx-7zCjqokAe6It4Bbx-hhTTxobuCu8211eq8Oo74ucoS9KlZhZjWTdyOYXQ_E3GTbr9HIFyeq8QHrs9buO7Gs3ollU/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5Ho1CMFkqMVUBxYQuogRQd1A6KU8h9d6qELohIy_OtvxgQPVKx-7zCjqokAe6It4Bbx-hhTTxobuCu8211eq8Oo74ucoS9KlZhZjWTdyOYXQ_E3GTbr9HIFyeq8QHrs9buO7Gs3ollU/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509419143401987442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>This is the crossroads we stand at, when we want to survey our kingdom. The bench is a recent addition, to the memory of a local man.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QsqzF7OJcDi5jIdXu_5XucjMI3OfC62TS-6KuTCq7FX1rBq3CSTGcZTYUXOjpJ3KstHrc7SSDdknqerSnj-K-mFF_1QEgtrtTvNXUjbgTNPoLbQRDjQ8v2uz8SopBDTu7_hzf3m5rgY/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QsqzF7OJcDi5jIdXu_5XucjMI3OfC62TS-6KuTCq7FX1rBq3CSTGcZTYUXOjpJ3KstHrc7SSDdknqerSnj-K-mFF_1QEgtrtTvNXUjbgTNPoLbQRDjQ8v2uz8SopBDTu7_hzf3m5rgY/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509425567944590450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>All around us we could see isolated cloudbursts, this one looked particularly heavy, a white stream plunging down into the land.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5DM1fblpnrFstdB1tVBuySzqy3byv-vt1HHlmMZz88V6UALsoUdbDmpcUAwJGPNKXG2rf9-s00mplS8bL6RpbKmUEo0FsKb-3clx9_Oc-4n1TNCf3BD7RqAUen4q8kdeDcw6eWFFdZ4/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5DM1fblpnrFstdB1tVBuySzqy3byv-vt1HHlmMZz88V6UALsoUdbDmpcUAwJGPNKXG2rf9-s00mplS8bL6RpbKmUEo0FsKb-3clx9_Oc-4n1TNCf3BD7RqAUen4q8kdeDcw6eWFFdZ4/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509419151082672434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>On the way home, we found another side of it. Here we were standing in bright, hot evening sunshine and somewhere over there, no doubt other people were wondering if it was monsoon season.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6fdXvsd8iGY2ZEK_FubWiQWtdWWww3DbHY7294G7fkqKnFWmBLiLUpoDFt0lI6k16uYKorYytOG7wTAA2oedCkHoSm3uhJ2JokbBe5S9igybIvu26h71yUz_iFwf3g4McM0SHww2rTM/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6fdXvsd8iGY2ZEK_FubWiQWtdWWww3DbHY7294G7fkqKnFWmBLiLUpoDFt0lI6k16uYKorYytOG7wTAA2oedCkHoSm3uhJ2JokbBe5S9igybIvu26h71yUz_iFwf3g4McM0SHww2rTM/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509421086034785314" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">One final gorgeous scene, harvest stacks and, somewhere flying low to the horizon, three crows. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JzbTW7MpKsXsVZRAkS6KyjItTWd_tZJKsMokW5S1Oportobc4owx5Cs4kmxsTtha7r4tIRZ_qBKtcoK_RzvXRoWC7mPKP1A_cCFYy1MwJW21h0gjAAI6c-KvqEouz_91JZ9SWCk-p_E/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JzbTW7MpKsXsVZRAkS6KyjItTWd_tZJKsMokW5S1Oportobc4owx5Cs4kmxsTtha7r4tIRZ_qBKtcoK_RzvXRoWC7mPKP1A_cCFYy1MwJW21h0gjAAI6c-KvqEouz_91JZ9SWCk-p_E/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509419133881623938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-36925298204434710172010-08-13T05:10:00.000-07:002010-08-13T08:45:43.001-07:00White horse at Pewsey Downs 25/7/10<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXOLl0-TDwLMuJHSIxN4Q1BbNmFp16D0HTe5HgZBh5Gf6pus0W-nGKW6sBshW2bgESg5ywY1ok_rCBE7_sEn8tivzI1yCmP8XMQLMKmYq5KkyeNEpY3lR_ovbNwgs8hwGMYiM78ZdkiM/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXOLl0-TDwLMuJHSIxN4Q1BbNmFp16D0HTe5HgZBh5Gf6pus0W-nGKW6sBshW2bgESg5ywY1ok_rCBE7_sEn8tivzI1yCmP8XMQLMKmYq5KkyeNEpY3lR_ovbNwgs8hwGMYiM78ZdkiM/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504870528446983154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">As usual I have kept all pictures to a decent size, so do click for more detail.</span><br /></div><blockquote></blockquote><br />It has been such a long time since we were able to get out for a walk; I have been tied to my painting board with another deadline and am only just getting back into the swing of things now that I am free. But our last walk, at the end of July, was a wonderful day spent on the Pewsey Downs, in nearby Wiltshire, one of my favourite counties; although it is technically *Cotswolds*, it has a very different feel.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84Ltuoi84SVxc8xNDH3o4EkhlQajIxE3z8mVwaTAn0ZJbE0_yvUyrAKWkM0doLRYM2XV_e8dtMDC6yL0JodHBLvf3SqaRotAIgZ8EF6rrHUL4pK3hIy5Y8urMA4x6EzTiVE-RLjO6nYs/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84Ltuoi84SVxc8xNDH3o4EkhlQajIxE3z8mVwaTAn0ZJbE0_yvUyrAKWkM0doLRYM2XV_e8dtMDC6yL0JodHBLvf3SqaRotAIgZ8EF6rrHUL4pK3hIy5Y8urMA4x6EzTiVE-RLjO6nYs/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504870435286014754" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><br />Here the landscape spreads before you with a swan-like grace. The chalk downs and broad, open skies are windswept and airy - a clean atmosphere that leaves the walker refreshed and gasping for more.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCs2gIMcmoX0vIozuqRzXa330K1f6CAXtrmmN7icVtQfOVm7n1TGzw02xzFBzqp1VdbRG-QSCarFhhpm2LMkFsv3OaD7Nj0wa7LHdSdtYe_AoVBfrNDq5yLReZTGP5Q_KcnsuyWejgao/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCs2gIMcmoX0vIozuqRzXa330K1f6CAXtrmmN7icVtQfOVm7n1TGzw02xzFBzqp1VdbRG-QSCarFhhpm2LMkFsv3OaD7Nj0wa7LHdSdtYe_AoVBfrNDq5yLReZTGP5Q_KcnsuyWejgao/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504870427982079122" border="0" /></a><br />We are climbing up to the <a href="http://www.wiltshirewhitehorses.org.uk/pewseynew.html">Pewsey white horse</a>, cut into the chalk hillside, starting a long circular walk that will take several hours, approaching the horse from the left. Unlike the ancient <a href="http://www.hows.org.uk/personal/hillfigs/uff/uffing.htm">Uffington white horse</a>, it is a modern monument, dating back to 1937, though it replaced an earlier one which dated from the late 1700s. It stands cheek by jowl with a proper earth antiquity, the Iron Age barrow '<a href="http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/englandadamsgrave.htm">Adams Grave</a>' which we bypassed, as it was crawling with Other People. (Don't worry, we will pop in on the way back when it is less occupied). We headed for the horse, and searched for a quiet picnic spot.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGMJKZJloeyxVEH0Eu3Fmhv7jEHZEcNRMY2H5ugPho19v5ORv0Ive_EMzRxjfOuTxDP67TXf6r_PJ-ha25LVyKRDC8Fd88crQ99lqVauvt2MDpURr_v45hjGmXnnT1avWM6FZyWf3WYU/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGMJKZJloeyxVEH0Eu3Fmhv7jEHZEcNRMY2H5ugPho19v5ORv0Ive_EMzRxjfOuTxDP67TXf6r_PJ-ha25LVyKRDC8Fd88crQ99lqVauvt2MDpURr_v45hjGmXnnT1avWM6FZyWf3WYU/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504870423604421154" border="0" /></a><br />I know of few better places to eat al fresco than high up on the Downs overlooking the Pewsey Vale - the earth seems to go on forever. <blockquote></blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObiDh9EId0oRElAMT_vxdCtKdOG_mjvADdO3qCTCWvpw9psdhdduqDpjl2C4kl_E1PDOg5Nh82jpLbtZR5cFxQRddegoD3mWpxcPBKnGpoau9lAnn_l9kCQ19nHgaMVEJd_xknzrvHuE/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObiDh9EId0oRElAMT_vxdCtKdOG_mjvADdO3qCTCWvpw9psdhdduqDpjl2C4kl_E1PDOg5Nh82jpLbtZR5cFxQRddegoD3mWpxcPBKnGpoau9lAnn_l9kCQ19nHgaMVEJd_xknzrvHuE/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504870411564792626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEpgqIA7xC_nLyllmWt_E5aALRTITefGhsqVxrPffgWqcYTaQ0AW7oS-i8XrbGvBP1AaMAiCe7vEamtq__2FV8o9W_itJzoZ30Xak5ye1vjDl-OdvT_wXI4aF3eME4pFKbGPW0C-ZuVk/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEpgqIA7xC_nLyllmWt_E5aALRTITefGhsqVxrPffgWqcYTaQ0AW7oS-i8XrbGvBP1AaMAiCe7vEamtq__2FV8o9W_itJzoZ30Xak5ye1vjDl-OdvT_wXI4aF3eME4pFKbGPW0C-ZuVk/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504869918106536290" border="0" /></a><br />Far below us we were amused to see the throngs milling about a famous *magical* <a href="http://www.wccsg.com/">Wiltshire crop circle</a> - beyond nestles the village where our next stopping point, <a href="http://the-barge-inn.com/index.htm">the Barge Inn</a> beckons - that is the largish building with two chimneys, at about one o'clock in the distance. There is a better picture of the crop circle <a href="http://www.wccsg.com/2010Gallery/July2010/25JulyAltonBarnes/tabid/982/language/en-GB/Default.aspx">here</a>.<br /><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQhBor68xvA5vpVJ7DmMQNC5xnyP5Ifpw3pnxMSupvvCj0yZjTTdHbrOM-OEhmQPpLfVXb2JKxsy1x2jGCcz8VMeENEFT6BuUs3yuEdX1R2Uua0lL_OSzbtbwQhAPT364vdUqcNpgFUc/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQhBor68xvA5vpVJ7DmMQNC5xnyP5Ifpw3pnxMSupvvCj0yZjTTdHbrOM-OEhmQPpLfVXb2JKxsy1x2jGCcz8VMeENEFT6BuUs3yuEdX1R2Uua0lL_OSzbtbwQhAPT364vdUqcNpgFUc/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504870412098035682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEpgqIA7xC_nLyllmWt_E5aALRTITefGhsqVxrPffgWqcYTaQ0AW7oS-i8XrbGvBP1AaMAiCe7vEamtq__2FV8o9W_itJzoZ30Xak5ye1vjDl-OdvT_wXI4aF3eME4pFKbGPW0C-ZuVk/s1600/07.jpg"><br /></a>Full of baguette, pork pies, boiled egg and cake, we set off past the horse, just seen cut off here, sloping to the left.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_reULHADmXRY5UIn7FVvhXnLhVYtn34Am7UodOtBk93erJqz-d8aMLXhpksU9FoW4uXdNzyNuSlAJcodazEy7tGqJusBR5G0RteErZ8ymye_uvZaDUGYsrGssWMSAYMQevnxJcn-cgS4/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_reULHADmXRY5UIn7FVvhXnLhVYtn34Am7UodOtBk93erJqz-d8aMLXhpksU9FoW4uXdNzyNuSlAJcodazEy7tGqJusBR5G0RteErZ8ymye_uvZaDUGYsrGssWMSAYMQevnxJcn-cgS4/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504869916134341314" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />Now we are going down the hill, towards the bright green patch in the middle of fields where the farmer is combining in his rapeseed crop.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzc9lbmwD8ssfP_0wEhDr3E52Roq0q5GuniPR4wpFpmXsFHkSpAU1-1E_FJSU0zBdEGX6maNFHrt7p3rrJTLJiTXgcl4aRL0HxQi9LTAEjI3sZ0klLUbdh_yyEjz3xIXSMlj_pDawb8iw/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzc9lbmwD8ssfP_0wEhDr3E52Roq0q5GuniPR4wpFpmXsFHkSpAU1-1E_FJSU0zBdEGX6maNFHrt7p3rrJTLJiTXgcl4aRL0HxQi9LTAEjI3sZ0klLUbdh_yyEjz3xIXSMlj_pDawb8iw/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504869906838393810" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />The dry, shallow earth is covered with tiny, jewel-like wild flowers and herbs, where butterflies and insects enjoy a sadly rare rich habitat.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXEVUcU0o2vmIvfQvh_9c_v2huiPRN7f3iiI2RYHiU8g4f-OLggYv8H3NZ-5LprjQNQTCWKuKvlI1thhm7hSCtpHt3-yJ6uFpiiDQKMXkkvrYEmYdxyP-bUHQ2tv0h6wF69YykRjXGzQ/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXEVUcU0o2vmIvfQvh_9c_v2huiPRN7f3iiI2RYHiU8g4f-OLggYv8H3NZ-5LprjQNQTCWKuKvlI1thhm7hSCtpHt3-yJ6uFpiiDQKMXkkvrYEmYdxyP-bUHQ2tv0h6wF69YykRjXGzQ/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504869898463567458" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />Here we are right down in the Vale, looking back to the white horse just up there on the hill, where we had our picnic. And there goes the combine harvester.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFy-Ou1vnHH6jArZMp2zTBom4IWzJvwGgDHFQTsMiO4v6Ncufp1f6lAMQs2osEn5Y-4n1jvbgiBkvS5ljOjs9wJaqyzbo11Jfo-biJrersD7gl9wuovY_4ZcGsVXdZ0Lo2_NM1NeWyNg/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFy-Ou1vnHH6jArZMp2zTBom4IWzJvwGgDHFQTsMiO4v6Ncufp1f6lAMQs2osEn5Y-4n1jvbgiBkvS5ljOjs9wJaqyzbo11Jfo-biJrersD7gl9wuovY_4ZcGsVXdZ0Lo2_NM1NeWyNg/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504869893270787362" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote>Down here the colours seem flattened, although the clouds still sail gloriously across the big sky.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JvrWd25UYs_CCx-JBFVPTYi2jAuRfkm7Or90fxKgNfFs1iRdCP7yZoyJA4TwoBl_8kakQvH2flA5-yw_FC9BiltjIrHGguYRKp5gXaiykKJcKlWVlidy9EKDHq2_WU3HexTOB5ToQv4/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JvrWd25UYs_CCx-JBFVPTYi2jAuRfkm7Or90fxKgNfFs1iRdCP7yZoyJA4TwoBl_8kakQvH2flA5-yw_FC9BiltjIrHGguYRKp5gXaiykKJcKlWVlidy9EKDHq2_WU3HexTOB5ToQv4/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504869104885112866" border="0" /></a><br />White horse now just to the right edge.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNc2z843KdmmAleSVPC4PrxjJ3NF6ZIAPNHsCdZxZWGHYkumCLy-k2tflDsdxbvhG3jI_QoG100FclB8CinplF_n2FtDWt0XZWof_IfM5_c7SHgCWhh77XG5RGkbllc2K5isVcom6hmg/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNc2z843KdmmAleSVPC4PrxjJ3NF6ZIAPNHsCdZxZWGHYkumCLy-k2tflDsdxbvhG3jI_QoG100FclB8CinplF_n2FtDWt0XZWof_IfM5_c7SHgCWhh77XG5RGkbllc2K5isVcom6hmg/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504869100835068354" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />Soon we are in the pretty village of Pewsey, walking on towards the canal.<br /><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLNvTsf9jN2-28hzgyObFI9-roUg9BmePvXWrGZdzT2gs-aukttjB9wHXJQQ-XilAVVtVu7zFKcuIrkhL8KvPmc0tJmda12zsSuCYxWGmr7KGlg8olDKwOQpsQa4UKZjUBaeQvCwGdm8/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLNvTsf9jN2-28hzgyObFI9-roUg9BmePvXWrGZdzT2gs-aukttjB9wHXJQQ-XilAVVtVu7zFKcuIrkhL8KvPmc0tJmda12zsSuCYxWGmr7KGlg8olDKwOQpsQa4UKZjUBaeQvCwGdm8/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504869084695884162" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />Seen here from the bridge, the trail takes us down to the footpath which runs alongside the canal.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1YnzmOMGvFgz5KiHEBLpbkwv_QXpHTbrpzpagh4ykXZhYZIiIVQEKt6TGwvpu0Y0XL6dRV-q9qqjuOt4PiHPOu_OPjjDDZVMLG-Ltsq69iPAWWUjOJSC5vsKl8UIwx4wMEdrsZgweBY/s1600/15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1YnzmOMGvFgz5KiHEBLpbkwv_QXpHTbrpzpagh4ykXZhYZIiIVQEKt6TGwvpu0Y0XL6dRV-q9qqjuOt4PiHPOu_OPjjDDZVMLG-Ltsq69iPAWWUjOJSC5vsKl8UIwx4wMEdrsZgweBY/s400/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504869083574595282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQm-7mhvGjqelZEUyfQfy2giInXTQp8Ny7WMXfm37m7vjNP_RBL3eG6VE8w7EU7DQnIzhWhKZKnBPSKa8_SiCz_H_uE0yXXUvwHpHSmRkEdo78hhWZt11gmZUa9iowvoyH2BTuix8jkYg/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQm-7mhvGjqelZEUyfQfy2giInXTQp8Ny7WMXfm37m7vjNP_RBL3eG6VE8w7EU7DQnIzhWhKZKnBPSKa8_SiCz_H_uE0yXXUvwHpHSmRkEdo78hhWZt11gmZUa9iowvoyH2BTuix8jkYg/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504869077279172002" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />We don't lose sight of the white horse - there it is, just through the hedgerow.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBSe-AmGNsrU-sZuEbWTFbqPc4SdFxbYbg2TruqyIu3SYCxo04ICObSePfhjx5kUkg09vU_nkUghRNlTFS5DaO1tVEI1Zj3Ii2Xa9BwUxeEx0QYml2toySRq_e5Cb6d2HP6_KxMHs810/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBSe-AmGNsrU-sZuEbWTFbqPc4SdFxbYbg2TruqyIu3SYCxo04ICObSePfhjx5kUkg09vU_nkUghRNlTFS5DaO1tVEI1Zj3Ii2Xa9BwUxeEx0QYml2toySRq_e5Cb6d2HP6_KxMHs810/s400/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504868108988764562" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />And again, faintly behind this barge, on the hilltop beyond.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtHDCggp2tIL6h6_JNBlDjb20nOdA4Gq-Y4Fub58a77jYOCWJfh6fG8k4SF9bwZ6EMpxE5m52ewdlxCHiTXBZXvtqCOZf1zq_y8_XzW_ir73oiN5Mg-Zmf6XaZVAyk7En8nrXyUXfYwU/s1600/18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtHDCggp2tIL6h6_JNBlDjb20nOdA4Gq-Y4Fub58a77jYOCWJfh6fG8k4SF9bwZ6EMpxE5m52ewdlxCHiTXBZXvtqCOZf1zq_y8_XzW_ir73oiN5Mg-Zmf6XaZVAyk7En8nrXyUXfYwU/s400/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504868106625723122" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />Nearly time for a pint, and I fall in love with this big Dutch barge - surely enough room in there for us, four cats, several thousand books and various gubbins? Andy thinks not. <blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qJQN5ONrudZQpyAkPhQYOSYW37aCeSLoJt5stlRfl-9K4rGdtwy8sWJ6TXRffLVoh2G0c9AFKV46gWznvCq_qpvyXCukNQ-4B3M-b8QUmyH6UkDTIbiXBB-dO5x2DEPDlqbjE4j8Af8/s1600/19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qJQN5ONrudZQpyAkPhQYOSYW37aCeSLoJt5stlRfl-9K4rGdtwy8sWJ6TXRffLVoh2G0c9AFKV46gWznvCq_qpvyXCukNQ-4B3M-b8QUmyH6UkDTIbiXBB-dO5x2DEPDlqbjE4j8Af8/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504868098696190386" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a href="http://the-barge-inn.com/index.htm">The Barge</a> is one of my favourite pubs; it has an relaxed, easy atmosphere, much loved by bikers, bargees, travellers and anyone who appreciates tolerance and informality. The beer is excellent too. <blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSOy3-XBPZnA8YtjKRC7011KkWvC2YsF94f8ZaV4QuOEhy6SRFWfNzBeFHQETE6nx1pJW1bjcQR5Bz5in81YLOUtvJDX1KmfobYmWkdfIq3QcS8adeu21GXAQVTSQn4L0Fmq8EHznMVk/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSOy3-XBPZnA8YtjKRC7011KkWvC2YsF94f8ZaV4QuOEhy6SRFWfNzBeFHQETE6nx1pJW1bjcQR5Bz5in81YLOUtvJDX1KmfobYmWkdfIq3QcS8adeu21GXAQVTSQn4L0Fmq8EHznMVk/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504868093356284050" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />I could have sat there all afternoon, but there are a few miles to cover yet and we carry on along the towpath. Andy speeds ahead to the red brick bridge which we ascend to, to begin closing the circle.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxmuZiObC74epQyUQkNXQAE0wRUxD9C_QpvGxNRM62dRMHpcH1xjVjGDDRT4msT2W7XIVaB-9u5W9b1JTFK99f8ZyMkr3KS4IrtfwNRyZq7dHKQFtO3fVlqKrmArAlSLN7ORfFGHC9us/s1600/21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxmuZiObC74epQyUQkNXQAE0wRUxD9C_QpvGxNRM62dRMHpcH1xjVjGDDRT4msT2W7XIVaB-9u5W9b1JTFK99f8ZyMkr3KS4IrtfwNRyZq7dHKQFtO3fVlqKrmArAlSLN7ORfFGHC9us/s400/21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504868089701309714" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />A bit of road walking here and still the horse remains the pivot of our walk.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheugBtgb3nbwLiipwrzYfWtiOwEtrnqNudqmcZcSmKmOUqdb0EnDSLEOfiupIS5kiLDDRYBZZZeVHk88lT1iVnPXMnTTuYtgATCtKBBHjwVfuFjk6WZOyC0Rfq0UnUTEmesuq-2DDDvSs/s1600/22.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheugBtgb3nbwLiipwrzYfWtiOwEtrnqNudqmcZcSmKmOUqdb0EnDSLEOfiupIS5kiLDDRYBZZZeVHk88lT1iVnPXMnTTuYtgATCtKBBHjwVfuFjk6WZOyC0Rfq0UnUTEmesuq-2DDDvSs/s400/22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504867754644311906" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />We find a poor dead dragonfly and it is secreted away in a picnic box - dragonflies preserve very well and dried out, make sweetly macabre ornaments.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7f0boLUqEfWOZ-S0spwabvfyqX580Uc_nHHIUlDPovpD2WxT-GOsY1t-MYD5W2Fs_f_aCOTA5pOvV3tZhWOnwMqt5CRlPBJLzYunYqfkPyb8HxkDQjylXmP1vvagzReUS8o443i81_o/s1600/23.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7f0boLUqEfWOZ-S0spwabvfyqX580Uc_nHHIUlDPovpD2WxT-GOsY1t-MYD5W2Fs_f_aCOTA5pOvV3tZhWOnwMqt5CRlPBJLzYunYqfkPyb8HxkDQjylXmP1vvagzReUS8o443i81_o/s400/23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504867754122803842" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />Off the road and past more cottages, to the start of our return.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXB3WluG_eWymQleLIKdeUSwv04p6YsbFYxTO6dQxRdkCyn499AdYThaPWB53OHh3ZRfk4hUITZYD0rdNMbyCtqLoUttGvxWKpN_S5WfrCZQgdwVbTCqv0KhzK62iUatU9sH8qH_KeM6M/s1600/24.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXB3WluG_eWymQleLIKdeUSwv04p6YsbFYxTO6dQxRdkCyn499AdYThaPWB53OHh3ZRfk4hUITZYD0rdNMbyCtqLoUttGvxWKpN_S5WfrCZQgdwVbTCqv0KhzK62iUatU9sH8qH_KeM6M/s400/24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504867746152591058" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />Almost time to begin the big climb up to the long barrow up there.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YnYRXZBVfwzYfx96LjKpjN4U2bORJ-d9xP4iJ1_h4zMSl_hVLh0NO8dPj46Chn1_iGQ4VXy9h3_9i5n7M-UJ4N4k8EfDknygBL1hALZcrSDPM7pI5_zhkDZ_RqB-ShBFsCpykn5c14U/s1600/25.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YnYRXZBVfwzYfx96LjKpjN4U2bORJ-d9xP4iJ1_h4zMSl_hVLh0NO8dPj46Chn1_iGQ4VXy9h3_9i5n7M-UJ4N4k8EfDknygBL1hALZcrSDPM7pI5_zhkDZ_RqB-ShBFsCpykn5c14U/s400/25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504867741016999618" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />Not only the chalk horse here, (just visible on the horizon) but three real ones too.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8GUb94Gkoe8jD1DKzD06JK-3bsOJ_EWtgNBeBhfKmtmizTyJ8-tcR0_rNzN4cK0cmw7HPiiF2hVJWQZD4NoVLonwXjU1AjQYiNntOJznNskOIQdu741j7Kh007WhmqSgXROXpCXKmak/s1600/26.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8GUb94Gkoe8jD1DKzD06JK-3bsOJ_EWtgNBeBhfKmtmizTyJ8-tcR0_rNzN4cK0cmw7HPiiF2hVJWQZD4NoVLonwXjU1AjQYiNntOJznNskOIQdu741j7Kh007WhmqSgXROXpCXKmak/s400/26.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504867737275153394" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />The route to the summit of Adam's Grave long barrow is long, slow and a bit of a slog, especially after the miles behind us. <blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK06kC5FFMSX3xPMNc6NYWQMpWi6Ob7NIJoKPzzPV0_dUKDMf1EFaEbLrjvGXJYenNpAxp26I8mKQgZpRrKK7j9FrEMbnvVyJTyBOWrd6lVzOzmu2n1lr1vkA8YcW9ANemOwyK-L4gK60/s1600/27.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK06kC5FFMSX3xPMNc6NYWQMpWi6Ob7NIJoKPzzPV0_dUKDMf1EFaEbLrjvGXJYenNpAxp26I8mKQgZpRrKK7j9FrEMbnvVyJTyBOWrd6lVzOzmu2n1lr1vkA8YcW9ANemOwyK-L4gK60/s400/27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504866369692556210" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />But the views are quite glorious. The sun has vanished and so have the tourists. A chilly wind sweeps the wild grasses as evening descends and still we hear the soft drone of combine harvesters bringing in the crops. <blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WcM-qsxI16OffqXkKTNMsFTtQyksLhY_foBonUfohpqM1WSdL-yeRqJitb0eY6whGRxTdy0S8yiSshvOzEuKGL4-XHBsPnbnI7DPZ93pch5UD2_o4BODUe2AlitFHJbgBUeoe3jvgIU/s1600/28.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WcM-qsxI16OffqXkKTNMsFTtQyksLhY_foBonUfohpqM1WSdL-yeRqJitb0eY6whGRxTdy0S8yiSshvOzEuKGL4-XHBsPnbnI7DPZ93pch5UD2_o4BODUe2AlitFHJbgBUeoe3jvgIU/s400/28.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504866368287429074" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />Andy has got ahead of me again and is a tiny speck atop the hummock.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiT3QOqy5ISsStc4GeXySjCBWWlqmKpHSnFe6QdAzn3_Y8AmaCwtbFM9bABmIlvd7A2NNzTocSxjNk64TGIaNcx4ccvHbBJEVZ6yYG0J6FxL_rH7fsaoa_jSJu2iF4Yrk2uqYTCfvsMoI/s1600/29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiT3QOqy5ISsStc4GeXySjCBWWlqmKpHSnFe6QdAzn3_Y8AmaCwtbFM9bABmIlvd7A2NNzTocSxjNk64TGIaNcx4ccvHbBJEVZ6yYG0J6FxL_rH7fsaoa_jSJu2iF4Yrk2uqYTCfvsMoI/s400/29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504866362528192002" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />Eventually, I get there too. <blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uNxNWO5r0oxILglBPxrehXOBfDOrLriVhQLrKfmlUoKBe8Bj9LdFv1HF9vANTu_nt9IO6nR27ODH-OqF8r9T8vms5NOpwkKd2X07NciK2OOzblAVtfi2EflGbH0wFGT2AvAoahTCNdU/s1600/30.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uNxNWO5r0oxILglBPxrehXOBfDOrLriVhQLrKfmlUoKBe8Bj9LdFv1HF9vANTu_nt9IO6nR27ODH-OqF8r9T8vms5NOpwkKd2X07NciK2OOzblAVtfi2EflGbH0wFGT2AvAoahTCNdU/s400/30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504866355407037346" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />The sun comes out for a last burst, as we head back towards the motorbike, weary in leg, refreshed in spirit. <blockquote></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJBngiV5moIDw_zSOc5kKF67_YJs1P3yA1g1RGQmQnrYqcLGg0GUqac-ZwzrM5IHhAf_THi0f898pE4BHLzTdpe235FyCtew-V5dG3o27zNPanQRMNQeOmVzXZJ6hfmjwLHPQJTmlU8w/s1600/31.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJBngiV5moIDw_zSOc5kKF67_YJs1P3yA1g1RGQmQnrYqcLGg0GUqac-ZwzrM5IHhAf_THi0f898pE4BHLzTdpe235FyCtew-V5dG3o27zNPanQRMNQeOmVzXZJ6hfmjwLHPQJTmlU8w/s400/31.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504866349837994898" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-31141120847530435102010-07-11T01:50:00.000-07:002010-07-12T02:59:51.939-07:00Belas Knap & Winchcombe<div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABBUDJthrgcMWWOSBvxrAE4Usep3wcgQkMxA4uHld8WNP4Q6OKQzhOENz8fzJBb0eb-XBGRjNG0t5vi42WSVWKGijoBP7TmlaaUS7wFtSKB6Y8kLpNkOnaojD7VqZnobITuo-7egdE8w/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABBUDJthrgcMWWOSBvxrAE4Usep3wcgQkMxA4uHld8WNP4Q6OKQzhOENz8fzJBb0eb-XBGRjNG0t5vi42WSVWKGijoBP7TmlaaUS7wFtSKB6Y8kLpNkOnaojD7VqZnobITuo-7egdE8w/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570563608161090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>At the end of June we escaped across the border to visit nearby </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba63/feat3.shtml">Belas Knap</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, a prehistoric monument situated in the heart of the Cotswolds. Along the way we stopped on a top road to look across to our eventual destination - the wooded area covering the horizon. But first I wanted to pop into <a href="http://www.winchcombe.co.uk/">Winchcombe</a>, a bustling little town which has stood here for over a thousand years.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0hws0ETin0B35v-AOwGm0PIoSQGq97xXotlxZ1ulatJbUjzhpL4okce0xbeMdRAmFWOgpOzCNGGwkE1P-3S-vpXXTEkbSB69KVVQvuA3nToJqsyajt6hqnGOTo1-BApemgggyV-Av6E/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0hws0ETin0B35v-AOwGm0PIoSQGq97xXotlxZ1ulatJbUjzhpL4okce0xbeMdRAmFWOgpOzCNGGwkE1P-3S-vpXXTEkbSB69KVVQvuA3nToJqsyajt6hqnGOTo1-BApemgggyV-Av6E/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570556795816082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>If I were holidaying in the Cotswolds, I might get somewhat tired of reading recommendations to visit the usual tourist hotspots. Where else, I might ask, can I see unspoilt buildings and absorb heritage, without the droves of coaches and sweaty crowds, without tacky souvenir shops and half a dozen tearooms? The answer would be - visit </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.winchcombe.co.uk/">Winchcombe</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, a real, living, breathing town with bundles of history and individual shops, galleries and pubs which not only cater for the always welcome visitors, but for the locals as well.<br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCQjdCpKYZAjy12ZIS0ylDRFDW7shqpbuCHVzxA9mrtm69aY10ftN2NQAI8DZM1-IGc8XaSxQfneR9Tc2hTLPRr3ytmAnQ4tV2sTvo6C0axxNUZjNmYE1lEX_fkGbkHOoHIXpWOq9VEc/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCQjdCpKYZAjy12ZIS0ylDRFDW7shqpbuCHVzxA9mrtm69aY10ftN2NQAI8DZM1-IGc8XaSxQfneR9Tc2hTLPRr3ytmAnQ4tV2sTvo6C0axxNUZjNmYE1lEX_fkGbkHOoHIXpWOq9VEc/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570554387102258" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgcaaP_l6PaNHBvXlM161D6Z8uFAa9swR1hYXmxkhTjWrnLcAeEPJcFg7lPyvD9XVlwxeazvUyhMnWEnSdE93KSaWTXoYAuU1AN12Ub_rndvrAeS6aFVBePl54GGUSFffpWiSdqYgEwI/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgcaaP_l6PaNHBvXlM161D6Z8uFAa9swR1hYXmxkhTjWrnLcAeEPJcFg7lPyvD9XVlwxeazvUyhMnWEnSdE93KSaWTXoYAuU1AN12Ub_rndvrAeS6aFVBePl54GGUSFffpWiSdqYgEwI/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570546898582514" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06qwl5bjV1B34fcbLKAwNElbWZBlr2eJSYT-aZpOnAf-SZi0r74qYJRb_eQ1BU_ursqCGWqiaugUiQbudjirmINmKJixr2nxqk5AtxLL1pEliwHHRtVLc0u76ZFbe8uyWsYDmPHnNLsI/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06qwl5bjV1B34fcbLKAwNElbWZBlr2eJSYT-aZpOnAf-SZi0r74qYJRb_eQ1BU_ursqCGWqiaugUiQbudjirmINmKJixr2nxqk5AtxLL1pEliwHHRtVLc0u76ZFbe8uyWsYDmPHnNLsI/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570365779899106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>My reason for popping in was to say hello to a couple of Twitter friends who have businesses within whistling distance of each other - just to put names to faces. On the main High Street is a wonderful old fashioned toyshop called </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.sprogs.org.uk/">Sprogs</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, crammed with the most gorgeous array of new and modern playthings. I defy anyone to enter it and not emerge with some treasure, be it for themselves or a gift for a lucky child. I treated myself to a tin kaleidoscope. Sadly it was the owner's day off, so no Twitter meet up, but I did have the pleasure of talking to their assistant, who looked after me splendidly. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTk1ZN7p62Z7eKimSgGT__fzu9CYqfvmWSFkXu-LODPEp4eQLpPUgrAR4HWXqO3bT8uxbSwtb6-KexX0C6CNzo7O4VGUiDs5rs8ESC1FZrwRnSMbeaM_v_c4Qx-lEdaq2tzzN-iHNihCk/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTk1ZN7p62Z7eKimSgGT__fzu9CYqfvmWSFkXu-LODPEp4eQLpPUgrAR4HWXqO3bT8uxbSwtb6-KexX0C6CNzo7O4VGUiDs5rs8ESC1FZrwRnSMbeaM_v_c4Qx-lEdaq2tzzN-iHNihCk/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570363182673666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Next on my list was the </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.windsofchangegallery.co.uk/">Winds of Change Gallery</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, just along the road, where I introduced myself again and was given the warmest of welcomes and a little tour. Although it is a modest size, it is beautifully laid out with a wide ranging and ever changing display of fine arts and crafts.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSUY1K4M416jJ-AOtCrvqcXNHFkaE5lJBhhMcunohJ3Sh3CjBudv1Gl9mkITa7cfrW_K5K6JTB4Fm3mV4CZ0KiYT-MhExbNjCxjjWMoNRvETDfkoFOzll3fE4zB0AWsdfd2mKuwpuqY0/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSUY1K4M416jJ-AOtCrvqcXNHFkaE5lJBhhMcunohJ3Sh3CjBudv1Gl9mkITa7cfrW_K5K6JTB4Fm3mV4CZ0KiYT-MhExbNjCxjjWMoNRvETDfkoFOzll3fE4zB0AWsdfd2mKuwpuqY0/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570358729342994" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaMr_yEkzbb1GcDjx9aWsNfmMJOUnmueIdITPia4gcDkZkx2r0kE8bDruvOwUxv9jFsLafqqNv18SignMwqI-f9lE2GL5E1JWUoGKR4H1_QwjFxSFOG4_vwt17ZXb2A8BaAOsVnaaSKc/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaMr_yEkzbb1GcDjx9aWsNfmMJOUnmueIdITPia4gcDkZkx2r0kE8bDruvOwUxv9jFsLafqqNv18SignMwqI-f9lE2GL5E1JWUoGKR4H1_QwjFxSFOG4_vwt17ZXb2A8BaAOsVnaaSKc/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570347988861842" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqhqA-IaDgxN-PpvbbzTi5J4oPgIcd1fsda5KuHpdiiu0HGVFs13hTSzz-Tvo_gBaymsKkIZpiYwFD1j22NJEah7K1iodm8TF-Guxevoan0KwIVMGF5kHF6Kx0_-YntyHXg1fgr_hP1k/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqhqA-IaDgxN-PpvbbzTi5J4oPgIcd1fsda5KuHpdiiu0HGVFs13hTSzz-Tvo_gBaymsKkIZpiYwFD1j22NJEah7K1iodm8TF-Guxevoan0KwIVMGF5kHF6Kx0_-YntyHXg1fgr_hP1k/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570343258598530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>My visit had to be fairly quick though, despite the kind offer of coffee in the courtyard, which I will be taking up next time. We were headed to nearby Belas Knap, about a mile out of town. Parking the bike, we had spectacular views across to Winchcombe and beyond. If you look down you can just see </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.sudeleycastle.co.uk/">Sudely Castle</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, nestling in the landscape with historic grace as it has done for centuries.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUeSH9TxfOEhAYGt-VbmZ2g6yMlbHnKuAgpMfvduQgZCiaKSBOVPoAL0WxnVbgEx0J0LuIEv-E1yOCZBs6giz6aqm-VC9U-EDzqSIZVWxAzoy01vdN682fRWG_wNWbZO4Ex64CFzyHQM/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUeSH9TxfOEhAYGt-VbmZ2g6yMlbHnKuAgpMfvduQgZCiaKSBOVPoAL0WxnVbgEx0J0LuIEv-E1yOCZBs6giz6aqm-VC9U-EDzqSIZVWxAzoy01vdN682fRWG_wNWbZO4Ex64CFzyHQM/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570072199573010" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5Aq7fj12tG2bAJg1RB_OuougbU3cEMW5hC7fAYrZVt5xfYqjSINTasxPgGVV8waeiy9TWml4dfD3qX1KYltvHrWJbfpRScci6Or578mEpUUuoGjM8DJnYqMcZ4lgPklKhPXuv07tj18/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5Aq7fj12tG2bAJg1RB_OuougbU3cEMW5hC7fAYrZVt5xfYqjSINTasxPgGVV8waeiy9TWml4dfD3qX1KYltvHrWJbfpRScci6Or578mEpUUuoGjM8DJnYqMcZ4lgPklKhPXuv07tj18/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570069763470018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>The walk up to Belas Knap is fairly short - about a mile or more - but it is all uphill. The views are worth it though. Here we can see across to our first stopping point on the top road coming in - a little wisp of smoke just to the right being our landmark, which we saw from the other side as we looked over a couple of hours previously.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITssJhLF_VxujeAVvaIP_Y19jgbD4JNnj-kEhqwfHAaRDPjuYmeJrl_n2yFVSMcPUjvXyCA3S0ywAU804BN6R4v4XYglOwNhlADzeNzrYt9gmBjOvBjz4nYTGK-t0TBHq8nktL3eBk6U/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITssJhLF_VxujeAVvaIP_Y19jgbD4JNnj-kEhqwfHAaRDPjuYmeJrl_n2yFVSMcPUjvXyCA3S0ywAU804BN6R4v4XYglOwNhlADzeNzrYt9gmBjOvBjz4nYTGK-t0TBHq8nktL3eBk6U/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570062845194162" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-HRsB4cLLydjdMBYgwn_kUyS5CcKc6v7sG0LPZxQoMluBtP7e6GmzgbN17Du1BIIdITG8v3DrLV5hwzMxCD4rnsNAxnlTLrS2UnHMuNN7gKvJ5oIPhShprcKEzZKjwgzZ-t32fFtSkI/s1600/15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-HRsB4cLLydjdMBYgwn_kUyS5CcKc6v7sG0LPZxQoMluBtP7e6GmzgbN17Du1BIIdITG8v3DrLV5hwzMxCD4rnsNAxnlTLrS2UnHMuNN7gKvJ5oIPhShprcKEzZKjwgzZ-t32fFtSkI/s400/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570062317201602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>It was a hot, muggy day and the sheep were taking refuge under the hawthorns, soaking in the coolness from the drystone walls.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz8G_CXpFu-bT4OO-mZ0mb6w046hk-04g3vi6fLDE-ZdgS8jHBL55vWoB2oyNcSTLRI-aZFD_0FGRSFClP35Ie7rdY7GhS_u6ptLru6sK7gkTf7zRvh97zQLN3TWnHbvUJb9c_i0Z2Go/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz8G_CXpFu-bT4OO-mZ0mb6w046hk-04g3vi6fLDE-ZdgS8jHBL55vWoB2oyNcSTLRI-aZFD_0FGRSFClP35Ie7rdY7GhS_u6ptLru6sK7gkTf7zRvh97zQLN3TWnHbvUJb9c_i0Z2Go/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492570051026475490" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmAzIfYoF8dGUHGQ1aAwrXY8PRgcbR3WP_PWLoeDYVeNLTQwVyDjn1qterEUp5Sc0p1jR2LzaI4fq6pLeZL9J6c4CHYqwZ5ThrehlV8pmMrdTKjSW_-w7r87VWdZfRMkz30GavtkWqwA/s1600/16a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmAzIfYoF8dGUHGQ1aAwrXY8PRgcbR3WP_PWLoeDYVeNLTQwVyDjn1qterEUp5Sc0p1jR2LzaI4fq6pLeZL9J6c4CHYqwZ5ThrehlV8pmMrdTKjSW_-w7r87VWdZfRMkz30GavtkWqwA/s400/16a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492569842841052482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>By the time we got almost to the top, we had even better views.<br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnsta0_wGoytEIoId9LIUY5yRAyx4cThOFBV6yP7Pb-CPh4PG_iqemOaxQ1106Y-Pt-ZzFfFCKEGfYlIAsb44U7xJwe90MjSrr-YeMwgc5PT2N9SIXt3W33r3zid3El-WpOinBOTqFrg/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnsta0_wGoytEIoId9LIUY5yRAyx4cThOFBV6yP7Pb-CPh4PG_iqemOaxQ1106Y-Pt-ZzFfFCKEGfYlIAsb44U7xJwe90MjSrr-YeMwgc5PT2N9SIXt3W33r3zid3El-WpOinBOTqFrg/s400/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492569832363721490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>I'm not an ancient historian, so I won't attempt to give a potted history of this beautiful site. It's basic shape can be seen below. A number of skeletons were excavated from it in the mid-nineteenth century and since then the side chambers have been faithfully reconstructed and left open to the public.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97UCwXFG2a3tlG8h0tLuTIQVsIAqR7dk_I5R0bCgK6SCfL6zCif6MQiOlFppF7-PBPyV-Y3ZuvhB8ckeDt9FVZLmVbdhMstJry_s2zS-zFOgSqJUlKLfY-BcnFiu0KGAOT_mZYpnqOZ0/s1600/18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97UCwXFG2a3tlG8h0tLuTIQVsIAqR7dk_I5R0bCgK6SCfL6zCif6MQiOlFppF7-PBPyV-Y3ZuvhB8ckeDt9FVZLmVbdhMstJry_s2zS-zFOgSqJUlKLfY-BcnFiu0KGAOT_mZYpnqOZ0/s400/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492569828381144866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Coming off the footpath and entering the site, with a large, false chamber heading the earthwork.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNXV4G2iRyfen3ggOTfCmpQg38ikG65xhTCnn8pfoOHIF9wySPUoEShDa6FGbn5eIgaLgtRsrlmY_w_JZ_KmFHR73UBeh6n-DemahDbgdu_EqSwsUt4x6-pEtvp1XJflKgeXjZySBQWo/s1600/19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNXV4G2iRyfen3ggOTfCmpQg38ikG65xhTCnn8pfoOHIF9wySPUoEShDa6FGbn5eIgaLgtRsrlmY_w_JZ_KmFHR73UBeh6n-DemahDbgdu_EqSwsUt4x6-pEtvp1XJflKgeXjZySBQWo/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492569825679551122" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDSujESHyHC3dZxNp40mA2v18qovPOiF_GA5ficXa0z1RMiu-ly6ewoRwLoFng64hAoRyRKx1H5X6tuScRbotByfrVw7TuVKCSD4ArykyTQ6sRqORFmoc-5Oj7HebjOF4fC-E1RyeiXM/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDSujESHyHC3dZxNp40mA2v18qovPOiF_GA5ficXa0z1RMiu-ly6ewoRwLoFng64hAoRyRKx1H5X6tuScRbotByfrVw7TuVKCSD4ArykyTQ6sRqORFmoc-5Oj7HebjOF4fC-E1RyeiXM/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492569816905349506" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g3owRjcA-FweVySU02I86IFwGhjlYo5gY5CjWdIryUyKYi0_PO8zNghygXueSCMEyJLTSZB6Ih0YMyDdfeBRHgy4vMABl0B4bWKwmmEkHzw0T6dTv51nHsAAk7O-SkGJcB5EOj7cFiQ/s1600/22.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g3owRjcA-FweVySU02I86IFwGhjlYo5gY5CjWdIryUyKYi0_PO8zNghygXueSCMEyJLTSZB6Ih0YMyDdfeBRHgy4vMABl0B4bWKwmmEkHzw0T6dTv51nHsAAk7O-SkGJcB5EOj7cFiQ/s400/22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492569180153933426" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94cNp2j2KYQa716cAZe3M58uKoDgXgjrnZ55hxQwnM3NqBcJLE6_bAtmST7MlryXtGFhxru8HnPcZHT2P8VfFR6L8Arr1R3dNeAx_NxIic6BIky1kjAIqnmfrX4LkWES9TN_v07-0F1I/s1600/21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94cNp2j2KYQa716cAZe3M58uKoDgXgjrnZ55hxQwnM3NqBcJLE6_bAtmST7MlryXtGFhxru8HnPcZHT2P8VfFR6L8Arr1R3dNeAx_NxIic6BIky1kjAIqnmfrX4LkWES9TN_v07-0F1I/s400/21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492569190232340610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>The first north-eastern chamber, which is open. At this time of year the barrow is covered with sweet Wild Thyme, Lady's Bedstraw and Scabious. If you are lucky enough to be there alone, all that can be heard is the wind skating across the hilltop and skylarks carolling as they bounce over the surrounding fields. No wonder the ancients chose it as a sacred site.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7P5xhUTfrIOYjeJTKE3o56nc6Ie2Y_i5kxpiYnHBKGSMKAcjgLRr3Tg2A7YrDctquxGwDi_4uO-C-aWwQsM_6otuHaPdhdikTXv5hqR3FhzKVtcVa-Q4g_Lx5X3SDib-ZnLRpSfroI0/s1600/23.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7P5xhUTfrIOYjeJTKE3o56nc6Ie2Y_i5kxpiYnHBKGSMKAcjgLRr3Tg2A7YrDctquxGwDi_4uO-C-aWwQsM_6otuHaPdhdikTXv5hqR3FhzKVtcVa-Q4g_Lx5X3SDib-ZnLRpSfroI0/s400/23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492569178076442882" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4Frow_P-7E69dSh3gxO0NNrJSRg5AOt2cmOrmTUlwCWXfiFDtvJUe6DuGamamwCmIsUrK-Vnu3syEJXnOPzR1No_lqKva6PYxQxrLLhTXD679U_cKx0Gacco1OfLKlFO4tklf0TRHdk/s1600/24.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4Frow_P-7E69dSh3gxO0NNrJSRg5AOt2cmOrmTUlwCWXfiFDtvJUe6DuGamamwCmIsUrK-Vnu3syEJXnOPzR1No_lqKva6PYxQxrLLhTXD679U_cKx0Gacco1OfLKlFO4tklf0TRHdk/s400/24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492569172538032018" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSJY_Y4R4LBZ4vfhb-E3j9RkuJSgdXxbsBhR7N9jB-vk38vl_6nU7F9P78-vIotuiJ4yeW0PVUFCBC6UmJwop14e3ESmE0a9-h76MIIBUlOOLfpfy8t-ZnuRYjKZrJ5-NYFcsAS9QUWo/s1600/25.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSJY_Y4R4LBZ4vfhb-E3j9RkuJSgdXxbsBhR7N9jB-vk38vl_6nU7F9P78-vIotuiJ4yeW0PVUFCBC6UmJwop14e3ESmE0a9-h76MIIBUlOOLfpfy8t-ZnuRYjKZrJ5-NYFcsAS9QUWo/s400/25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492569169182921650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>The other end, the Southern entrance.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxXSGC3d0SVxgPespa0BksCuF2tKvF-5v2sAWmQGIqiV7I0FVceA1mqbnxbmRI-xjsUbxaLTv7f_QLfwgXek7H-Ki-ODsXfWfe2LHgTv-getbQ2hA2NvV2Hz92KNLF2zxEYQxUmRcY_w/s1600/26.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxXSGC3d0SVxgPespa0BksCuF2tKvF-5v2sAWmQGIqiV7I0FVceA1mqbnxbmRI-xjsUbxaLTv7f_QLfwgXek7H-Ki-ODsXfWfe2LHgTv-getbQ2hA2NvV2Hz92KNLF2zxEYQxUmRcY_w/s400/26.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492568870036679730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>And coming round, the Western entrance, also open and pleasant to sit inside for five minutes, listening to the density of earth and stone around you; the silence is thick.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZWBIMCLxd8VjGkmloG-z6S2kx9ku8v2oM9HiFmx4AXPPLLtzWK5kQA48nVxMDmvyl0L5JSRQ5J3r7DszKJ36Yr-vLq_gVcvESglkoaAS0fUwpZIdKBc0PVdFlso6NrmH2NFn-qq3IDU/s1600/27.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZWBIMCLxd8VjGkmloG-z6S2kx9ku8v2oM9HiFmx4AXPPLLtzWK5kQA48nVxMDmvyl0L5JSRQ5J3r7DszKJ36Yr-vLq_gVcvESglkoaAS0fUwpZIdKBc0PVdFlso6NrmH2NFn-qq3IDU/s400/27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492568866872123074" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MaX0AfEILsEJNHsxsMTUYmeyvaay2QYdTQxE4_495YGneGgL__PSOfKPZP1QGyv9-7qFlkd0bfk-ylTMnwjv4tVjY8VZH-0R1K93xR-g-YZl3M6wa7unxgqQhrx8dY2u5-xWy_l0NhE/s1600/28.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MaX0AfEILsEJNHsxsMTUYmeyvaay2QYdTQxE4_495YGneGgL__PSOfKPZP1QGyv9-7qFlkd0bfk-ylTMnwjv4tVjY8VZH-0R1K93xR-g-YZl3M6wa7unxgqQhrx8dY2u5-xWy_l0NhE/s400/28.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492568860804294850" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDgze9LJvAAq8V1UAPx37gKW27j5p1Ja9p9b1c1hu9P-qvsNAYA-F3Wiu9JtcNnjeoQTD7qcEKPE-73I6DRTUd9TvWz8hSVCkjCUrRuFYrXbxMB8L0QtiN_mn99Y1A3INDJu4oY0IZl0/s1600/29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDgze9LJvAAq8V1UAPx37gKW27j5p1Ja9p9b1c1hu9P-qvsNAYA-F3Wiu9JtcNnjeoQTD7qcEKPE-73I6DRTUd9TvWz8hSVCkjCUrRuFYrXbxMB8L0QtiN_mn99Y1A3INDJu4oY0IZl0/s400/29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492568858185395250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Feeling quieter and somehow refreshed from a half hour spent pottering around this wonderful monument, we descended back down the track to the bike, with the Cotswolds and beyond spread out in glory beneath us.<br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CpPKIzLI_pJFiUMSCj3z88QOmEaVMSIP0eRDyMp0CZcoasNwFEPWZrxAm1u_qEed_LsAyR9p2GinlHMp_kjY_K-ugjCUBUhNahPOgLUinfq0Wo8bif_m6IWLwa8bUbSJM8V4HPyTrsg/s1600/30.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CpPKIzLI_pJFiUMSCj3z88QOmEaVMSIP0eRDyMp0CZcoasNwFEPWZrxAm1u_qEed_LsAyR9p2GinlHMp_kjY_K-ugjCUBUhNahPOgLUinfq0Wo8bif_m6IWLwa8bUbSJM8V4HPyTrsg/s400/30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492568855338053746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-70939859822698405922010-06-17T08:34:00.000-07:002010-06-17T08:34:32.613-07:00Summer stroll<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our first little walk away from the village for weeks, just a two hour potter round a nearby footpath. The Cotswolds are glorious in summer, lush with greenery and basking contentedly under the sun like a plump cat. Our walk takes us through an extensive jumping area for a big stables, through a wide, manicured grassy track lined with hedges of dog roses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I prefer the dirt track which comes later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The hard sunbaked chalky earth is peppered with sculptured funnel webs and at the bottom of each darksome hole lurks certain death for unwary insects.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Further on are mixed grasses, clover and buttercups, contended hums and buzzings from our feet as the bees happily bustle about doing their vital work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A strong, cool wind blows the worst of the heat from us, but it is still good to lie under an oak tree and watch the world from a different angle. Sun sparkles and tiny flies appear to glitter in the light as they dart about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Reluctantly dragged to my feet and hustled upwards, where we stop to admire the view looking Westwards - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- and turning into a wheat field to head back.</span></div>
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<br />Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-72807663611663508292010-05-21T00:51:00.000-07:002010-05-29T05:45:34.288-07:00Little walks<div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9u1Rc7r_6eiAmguB7I2OiKGQU2BtgyhKGf8AoSbKD2vR_01d_-bQDSzJN-p7sc0FNdjRcdNeRaOozEB6oD9z2EG1l4CrnSIFWgnorxQw-YwAYbg8U42CSk6E8xf40c7LSeqde7UVU_cg/s1600/footpath.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9u1Rc7r_6eiAmguB7I2OiKGQU2BtgyhKGf8AoSbKD2vR_01d_-bQDSzJN-p7sc0FNdjRcdNeRaOozEB6oD9z2EG1l4CrnSIFWgnorxQw-YwAYbg8U42CSk6E8xf40c7LSeqde7UVU_cg/s400/footpath.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476664066672641330" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Sadly my last blog post was also the last time we managed to get out for a good long ramble. Since then, work has taken over again and I've been back in my studio. One thing I do try to do every day though - if only to stop myself going completely potty - is to get out for an hour or so every day. I need to feel space around me, to escape everything and everyone. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKHdUCyH96GeOyyZh2f5eMXkaBahCHfJDseEhaItaLvWvtgK4aj-JQGKR6IW8yXBI1XYJ9r5VDUVffDi0YG4DNuE7NW0KblFURZkFPwa5vh1DF8xufCIltfyBZB0Ao2lt0R79psMZ5x8/s1600/view.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKHdUCyH96GeOyyZh2f5eMXkaBahCHfJDseEhaItaLvWvtgK4aj-JQGKR6IW8yXBI1XYJ9r5VDUVffDi0YG4DNuE7NW0KblFURZkFPwa5vh1DF8xufCIltfyBZB0Ao2lt0R79psMZ5x8/s400/view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476666440875562466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>There are several footpaths round our village and although some might find doing the same walk day in day out rather repetitive, there are always new things to see, if you keep your eyes open. At one corner of a field there are usually hares to be spotted - if one is stealthy.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__Jn3T5G_eKp6FjGfTvTfVFM0tphP0OAXX4Lig-vleC_zR9uLgOzmuMxsLdV1hPAXcG_iQzbTUcboQTOqUGEFQwW-3iYslc_sSIhBlL6QUaYtW22K0_jEnxbzArpAYat2nhyHa27uDbI/s1600/hare-rapeseed.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__Jn3T5G_eKp6FjGfTvTfVFM0tphP0OAXX4Lig-vleC_zR9uLgOzmuMxsLdV1hPAXcG_iQzbTUcboQTOqUGEFQwW-3iYslc_sSIhBlL6QUaYtW22K0_jEnxbzArpAYat2nhyHa27uDbI/s400/hare-rapeseed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476662490496166226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Or a birds nest tumbled from a tree, to be examined. Moss, pheasant feathers, horse hairs and grass...the softest, warmest bed for vulnerable little chicks.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0ja0d90e16BOlfThNVxgLoBp6JwYg6e81B6y7kRzF1vhyphenhyphenRw5E7g9MV7fP142WE6XXtoytnVfIxrnV2mGEWOox3T5TAARloDnIihotm8aE7iv0P2Xy2AqFdi-bl0rdMmSoNUsH4zHZUc/s1600/nest-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0ja0d90e16BOlfThNVxgLoBp6JwYg6e81B6y7kRzF1vhyphenhyphenRw5E7g9MV7fP142WE6XXtoytnVfIxrnV2mGEWOox3T5TAARloDnIihotm8aE7iv0P2Xy2AqFdi-bl0rdMmSoNUsH4zHZUc/s400/nest-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473628672219080402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Look, a tiny blue feather - </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYCTFVDaozGvUG61czPOBisSmFuiXCNZiS3Dc2oPUENHWt1t-qxYoEYx1M3dlKlq2YNQQf-vFSNHj0IMPHpzaw1C1qa_E8q52pOn8j1-WytQLI0aoLnf5hu_2mvpL7Y8yfwGxDwEa_s8/s1600/nest.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYCTFVDaozGvUG61czPOBisSmFuiXCNZiS3Dc2oPUENHWt1t-qxYoEYx1M3dlKlq2YNQQf-vFSNHj0IMPHpzaw1C1qa_E8q52pOn8j1-WytQLI0aoLnf5hu_2mvpL7Y8yfwGxDwEa_s8/s400/nest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473628680032849954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Fancy suggests that it may be a peacock feather, as there is a peacock in a village across the way - though I did wonder if it was a swallow breast feather.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhgN0Dp05aze3xOvSqNhl0GGasqB5oiQGaw5_p90Olj4EgMIVBQ9ODlmiN4oKae5kTEGgnJAx3TAgcVB9BHnTAzlral3aUsSl7x8t8z7XOaQN3vlTDTzAcx1RYIauqTGp_P_1N8ZLqE0/s1600/blue-feather.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhgN0Dp05aze3xOvSqNhl0GGasqB5oiQGaw5_p90Olj4EgMIVBQ9ODlmiN4oKae5kTEGgnJAx3TAgcVB9BHnTAzlral3aUsSl7x8t8z7XOaQN3vlTDTzAcx1RYIauqTGp_P_1N8ZLqE0/s400/blue-feather.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473628682370010050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>I usually to do my walk in the morning, but sometimes I prefer to spend the day working and treat myself to an evening stroll. The light is different and if the weather is fine, a warm, golden balm coats the countryside...</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXMf4q51kO8ub2c-UJHg0RTjtW83nPH5A0doNW03C4IupCZQnK52aBYqn0BXbrPYmQ9b83R7hsLW8U6Cq2BVC6mVtebbm22BURLK_TcJTLYx7LQTHYCt56PJ06yClpA_pRmJ0zt2rXN8/s1600/road.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXMf4q51kO8ub2c-UJHg0RTjtW83nPH5A0doNW03C4IupCZQnK52aBYqn0BXbrPYmQ9b83R7hsLW8U6Cq2BVC6mVtebbm22BURLK_TcJTLYx7LQTHYCt56PJ06yClpA_pRmJ0zt2rXN8/s400/road.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476666221621851490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>...and the Moon rises to say a quick hello to the Sun before he sinks below the horizon. There she is, just above the trees, almost hidden in all that blue sky.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2pqZ5GbdKvwWNiYhDtm_bc2spZbgqkfJxQ6pjXbNthfaABjQorTLfK-SiQ6ZotVEptsenko_k4dnXDBrFOEOqJNWQkYs1L8JYovIAVE8xPAcUnyTPTGldJrzWGpw8e08KRIEDQOiM2k/s1600/moon.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2pqZ5GbdKvwWNiYhDtm_bc2spZbgqkfJxQ6pjXbNthfaABjQorTLfK-SiQ6ZotVEptsenko_k4dnXDBrFOEOqJNWQkYs1L8JYovIAVE8xPAcUnyTPTGldJrzWGpw8e08KRIEDQOiM2k/s400/moon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476668465577351922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>The horse chestnut avenue is looking spectacularly pretty, but already the 'candles' are dying back, revealing embryonic conkers - a reminder that this exquisite spring, my favourite season, is all too fleeting. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i6Oi0mSgYX8JOISdS1OwfDAh0efR7SdLaR5teWJpHy34GvIGEKTjJK3N3EX-QbAVmwPcdW6mSiiAhbuc_r7sM62rkBPcmXAU77lXwtuLfVG8pZGvBdoBEkR2eoU5rwQRPZlPCZRpvJY/s1600/chestnuts.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i6Oi0mSgYX8JOISdS1OwfDAh0efR7SdLaR5teWJpHy34GvIGEKTjJK3N3EX-QbAVmwPcdW6mSiiAhbuc_r7sM62rkBPcmXAU77lXwtuLfVG8pZGvBdoBEkR2eoU5rwQRPZlPCZRpvJY/s400/chestnuts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476668466357080226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>There are many small miracles to stop this daily walk becoming dull - but mostly it is enough to be out in the fresh air with the open sky above me.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTjkXj2mEv_z_JCx15xMY-UvTbtwPzkJqeHDkVYSi-lioExDsyOkoprOZmknJjtKEYuuK_B7Z-zcbjrIfpGysS0SJlQ6TDKqMIOs0t9SPLVGL0dkmdbhFS5zaTL_U2IIpZVJSVfvR0AQ/s1600/footpath-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTjkXj2mEv_z_JCx15xMY-UvTbtwPzkJqeHDkVYSi-lioExDsyOkoprOZmknJjtKEYuuK_B7Z-zcbjrIfpGysS0SJlQ6TDKqMIOs0t9SPLVGL0dkmdbhFS5zaTL_U2IIpZVJSVfvR0AQ/s400/footpath-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476668459259228722" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-28533193242075779622010-05-10T08:49:00.000-07:002010-05-11T06:32:24.599-07:00Treasures<div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq80DQ2VC-m2F6uH-pcOl2_MUYl0HobO1iwelWdycDttep31bmIqLe5jPyNJt-CLykAc_9vIhfCZeIgJYEjtFJ3wDuCHYtVt3rdgFqh3TgZw31aT3TMwdnkOGJ2wsdnpXWh4o1H_6FZ8c/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq80DQ2VC-m2F6uH-pcOl2_MUYl0HobO1iwelWdycDttep31bmIqLe5jPyNJt-CLykAc_9vIhfCZeIgJYEjtFJ3wDuCHYtVt3rdgFqh3TgZw31aT3TMwdnkOGJ2wsdnpXWh4o1H_6FZ8c/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469671031514489682" border="0" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">With the worst of my deadlines over, we celebrated with a good, long ramble around one of our favourite valleys. This walk takes longer than most as there are always so many things to look at and wonder over. It begins with an unspoilt meadow full of unusual grasses and at this time of the year, cowslips. Cowslips used to be a common spring flower, but, like most of our native wild flowers, suffered a massive decline in the 20th century. due to 'agricultural improvements'. They seem to be recovering a little, and this field was happily covered in them.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAxHPJz2BvtieXNwJf9aALs_X20PgFZBJm8OxG07dxBYdiSN0xht555DLtD5E3gK3eERddnfMK5X_v0SIaLxspvUD35disf68uBfL4JlPHsIPydjxtxN9yCQyek4tqpvyf3Vioy_LScA/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAxHPJz2BvtieXNwJf9aALs_X20PgFZBJm8OxG07dxBYdiSN0xht555DLtD5E3gK3eERddnfMK5X_v0SIaLxspvUD35disf68uBfL4JlPHsIPydjxtxN9yCQyek4tqpvyf3Vioy_LScA/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469671023951112098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Our start point looks down into the valley bottom which we will end up in; remember that large copse to the left and the yellow rapeseed field; they reappear towards the end.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-rd0ChNrwDnWf7LaMT3_AZRlTwdpMghTabJZl0lgavGbWJkU_xS005AOn-Pgk6TKiAfl6GYEqNA1dTBa6bBYSnKypfhgnFLCylRuICppiiePyuT8Vl-1XqWR7zncn8LlZS7JXRuWezE/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-rd0ChNrwDnWf7LaMT3_AZRlTwdpMghTabJZl0lgavGbWJkU_xS005AOn-Pgk6TKiAfl6GYEqNA1dTBa6bBYSnKypfhgnFLCylRuICppiiePyuT8Vl-1XqWR7zncn8LlZS7JXRuWezE/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469671022368275666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>It was to be a proper treasure hunt.<blockquote></blockquote><br /></span><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsns0ce8RLjGy2u0zPYW8NNYh1BrAqNJktQuOfsZkrbVFG-lEFn2NXhGh58xfk5fr922A5l2CQDDRAe1VgKKreuc-S958ZiBQCOFEUay-oIlzaV-ds__l3MWcsYmdkYbBgQyw__72qWXg/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsns0ce8RLjGy2u0zPYW8NNYh1BrAqNJktQuOfsZkrbVFG-lEFn2NXhGh58xfk5fr922A5l2CQDDRAe1VgKKreuc-S958ZiBQCOFEUay-oIlzaV-ds__l3MWcsYmdkYbBgQyw__72qWXg/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469671009443743442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> <blockquote></blockquote>Early orchids. Not particularly rare, but uncommon enough to be wondered at.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiId2AMw_v-jdjbsh_MApO-AAx-Tb0o-fEsRlBeIaPE0R7eKyWmZXSrXr53FN56xLO-Vf3YbI0TcjvpRFNOfdb4hzo7C-k50o4i-YEU4vrsJdGGLJAG1GPkGr2iar6Q3OAwg1Nx_tJO5aA/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiId2AMw_v-jdjbsh_MApO-AAx-Tb0o-fEsRlBeIaPE0R7eKyWmZXSrXr53FN56xLO-Vf3YbI0TcjvpRFNOfdb4hzo7C-k50o4i-YEU4vrsJdGGLJAG1GPkGr2iar6Q3OAwg1Nx_tJO5aA/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469670724454393714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The weather was overcast and a cool wind blow through the apple blossom as I looked backwards down the path - what happiness, to be out in the open after weeks of being cooped up.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPvadlVT8AEZgGGLCB7xTXQn2sjkUhQYEQQh_C_-vMcGtxjrvewTwNKYphHvvTWXINYo5bEj5RZPnmDpNzpUqVZN0Lgpgl_xjp1w6yz-znBzM3kDXgLp_SMk2eHYomY0X-BbT44faONA/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPvadlVT8AEZgGGLCB7xTXQn2sjkUhQYEQQh_C_-vMcGtxjrvewTwNKYphHvvTWXINYo5bEj5RZPnmDpNzpUqVZN0Lgpgl_xjp1w6yz-znBzM3kDXgLp_SMk2eHYomY0X-BbT44faONA/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469670718260226082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Lambs are still being born - there were some very tiny ones scampering about and we watched in amazement as 15 or so buzzards circled overhead. I had always thought the stories of buzzards taking new lambs was an old farmer's tale, but with so many obviously watching the flock, we did wonder.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVheN-x5tSWJC9IXXwbT-Nt7trtQjYXRSnF_US-Z9ZNLdepxxLcF8o5RA2jmmWyugp_HGji3EDQzR_9PVnPn8XhZIwhJVgNXUDSgHQ9UYdA0QmEc3NGCZ-UANg6XJc0Bc7BrmSN5I0l8/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVheN-x5tSWJC9IXXwbT-Nt7trtQjYXRSnF_US-Z9ZNLdepxxLcF8o5RA2jmmWyugp_HGji3EDQzR_9PVnPn8XhZIwhJVgNXUDSgHQ9UYdA0QmEc3NGCZ-UANg6XJc0Bc7BrmSN5I0l8/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469670703518637010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>A Cotswold drystone wall carefully repaired -</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr78MfBedUC8jHfttGqqCdkEFEfHOBFqcreaTq3Fo9_i2nqQFMgDf1tJ8wjSyF9EdKlMwKVKyXHCcA2aTTrTXvcK6qKFpe8J6M-uc-xY0o5cjvwcyi2OoIP2ZLWrB7-TvBdDupcbC1SZg/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr78MfBedUC8jHfttGqqCdkEFEfHOBFqcreaTq3Fo9_i2nqQFMgDf1tJ8wjSyF9EdKlMwKVKyXHCcA2aTTrTXvcK6qKFpe8J6M-uc-xY0o5cjvwcyi2OoIP2ZLWrB7-TvBdDupcbC1SZg/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469670695126398226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> <blockquote></blockquote>- beautifully integrated with the older stones. Waste not, want not. No cement or mortar used here.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZQtVUZrmNVVqOkJai6_PIP3NpWNAoNTjLHtmkkKxe8P2Lx-bPt8BfG10TxLQaWvhLOJmigLmIcpUhSYdLGFgBn4Irsirdnf8z6Z5OvpOzDXHQVKGyX1x5wYVbLwtONQBoNZ5kiGxkeo/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZQtVUZrmNVVqOkJai6_PIP3NpWNAoNTjLHtmkkKxe8P2Lx-bPt8BfG10TxLQaWvhLOJmigLmIcpUhSYdLGFgBn4Irsirdnf8z6Z5OvpOzDXHQVKGyX1x5wYVbLwtONQBoNZ5kiGxkeo/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469670691390417522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>And another mend, further on, the wall dipping delicously with the contour of the land.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0C3cD0VH_Ahqufy_ARRxhssHxi1MToPi99fXVcS098iC6RePWhqVTUvsXV8JJKkmPRG2t9gRunoTtVYbTpUe8v9p4a160IlR-QHSR-ZDydkVBeeX2o6ScWTqr3NIWuK5rbPLZrXhfk0/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0C3cD0VH_Ahqufy_ARRxhssHxi1MToPi99fXVcS098iC6RePWhqVTUvsXV8JJKkmPRG2t9gRunoTtVYbTpUe8v9p4a160IlR-QHSR-ZDydkVBeeX2o6ScWTqr3NIWuK5rbPLZrXhfk0/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469670376271781138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>We stopped for a little picnic - hand made pork pies from our local </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.wychwooddeli.co.uk/">Wychwood Deli</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, handmade here in Gloucestershire by the </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.cotswoldpuddingcompany.co.uk/501.html">Cotswold Pudding Company</a><span style="font-family:arial;">. They were just the right size and unlike any mass produced pie I've ever had.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR9MalF_fUGLLTCbp681TiwXrO1hDHegt95HPpnLR64zoLONsGwv6UjV1wfGBnnqXGrNp5ZOWS6JwRdbJAh5tg-rtzK4q2bkhwT_zQkAT0O7he2ualeOSw_okJYweyJ6IKy4GIyi5fEU/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR9MalF_fUGLLTCbp681TiwXrO1hDHegt95HPpnLR64zoLONsGwv6UjV1wfGBnnqXGrNp5ZOWS6JwRdbJAh5tg-rtzK4q2bkhwT_zQkAT0O7he2ualeOSw_okJYweyJ6IKy4GIyi5fEU/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469670373942366258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Full of pie we strolled on, but stopped in our tracks when we saw, some way away, a ewe who had apparently just lambed. My zoom lens picked up the afterbirth still dangling from the birth canal and the lambs themselves were wobbling about, with no farmer's mark on them.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKVZnbCFeNSNJAZD6wl2aTAR2zSWkIopQ0b1UpeOZ2QOiFzHAqSqIJBdYh_9NjO61IV0x9X5u25g3qRQJ8rJRfF-u6aYBQB5BoDdPvyXAqw3cZ8YIJZlMPayg_eai_lut0CftCZbgFkg/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKVZnbCFeNSNJAZD6wl2aTAR2zSWkIopQ0b1UpeOZ2QOiFzHAqSqIJBdYh_9NjO61IV0x9X5u25g3qRQJ8rJRfF-u6aYBQB5BoDdPvyXAqw3cZ8YIJZlMPayg_eai_lut0CftCZbgFkg/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469670368602515362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>We realised that many other ewes were lambless (but large) and the lambs tottering about were, like the earlier ones, very small and new. So (ignorant as we largely are over these matters) we had to assume that they were quite capable of sorting themselves out, as indeed, this mother was. It also cleared up the 'mystery' of the massed buzzards. Probably on the lookout for afterbirth and any sickly or dead lambs - I still don't believe they would go for healthy ones.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4WAfhi2ARkjSNquMbRAT77o4LnBviCtbN39mHG4B-hTpOnoIt7Vg9l9Kvr6rJrB0KunnXAZzbizKte5zPjSH1JVYYtc3TNz9dtOh_Nv4HALD41poQC4tbDXA2UpJN51NaawUfXIiFMY/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4WAfhi2ARkjSNquMbRAT77o4LnBviCtbN39mHG4B-hTpOnoIt7Vg9l9Kvr6rJrB0KunnXAZzbizKte5zPjSH1JVYYtc3TNz9dtOh_Nv4HALD41poQC4tbDXA2UpJN51NaawUfXIiFMY/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469670359539542018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>We stood quietly watching, some distance away and I took this little film of what must have been the first hour or so of their lives. In the background, apart from the wind, you can hear a skylark and a bumble buzzing past.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><object style="font-family: arial;" width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YDhu66Pm2BY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YDhu66Pm2BY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Further on, in an opposite meadow, the fathers taking a well earned rest after all that reproduction.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcFV2mCdHdlzvgrNADQkWcVRkgwdkdcmRYVzcdq_p493zb32J3q2QFBUxAechSf2dBIcv6iR_zyb2K9qyjdZnu0vDZNyp2oojneajWYudjx58QCMEWXXG1Xqvfgds1H60Di504vqe4H8/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcFV2mCdHdlzvgrNADQkWcVRkgwdkdcmRYVzcdq_p493zb32J3q2QFBUxAechSf2dBIcv6iR_zyb2K9qyjdZnu0vDZNyp2oojneajWYudjx58QCMEWXXG1Xqvfgds1H60Di504vqe4H8/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469670352998937154" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWiiQJs6wWdjY-GKqy7ceghzHqDIAQHvEDnPHVr5cp7Pm8q7MHaH-GDe33m3JpR7rCWJbGYqAsUJpEMCehuIvqG1Ql84S-qbDOYGDVumU3Aj5pygjpzb9yQ8ZNmUt6-y41vFKrYONQ6g/s1600/15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWiiQJs6wWdjY-GKqy7ceghzHqDIAQHvEDnPHVr5cp7Pm8q7MHaH-GDe33m3JpR7rCWJbGYqAsUJpEMCehuIvqG1Ql84S-qbDOYGDVumU3Aj5pygjpzb9yQ8ZNmUt6-y41vFKrYONQ6g/s400/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469670016287834530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Now we began to descend to the valley bottom.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTY6PVzEF5n-EYncw6HF1Bs6D7Ejg1873Z6PH-v677s7ElZFE-WcHBaffAHGmbp-hmC60HtOn4Rdye9cyLiQj-2fap4WDgVTXw5kLInv52vOZmxwqxkQhnGtFuXZMn646oZjDLl_lC2M/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTY6PVzEF5n-EYncw6HF1Bs6D7Ejg1873Z6PH-v677s7ElZFE-WcHBaffAHGmbp-hmC60HtOn4Rdye9cyLiQj-2fap4WDgVTXw5kLInv52vOZmxwqxkQhnGtFuXZMn646oZjDLl_lC2M/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469670010429447298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Where, in the scrubby woodlands, we found our first badger skull and a few other boney delights which went into my bag.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXh2eiwBuKPpR810dLpEV7euwPADmIhp-U3HoHEYoobSEeG-QMjQlSKUI2eviUyHMd91kDURrk_rKbacAfS3papAW-4ejUkEWFRTdFylSq4g3Jb0RrV5YJfjNbHAalLh5bwOke_OTQH4M/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXh2eiwBuKPpR810dLpEV7euwPADmIhp-U3HoHEYoobSEeG-QMjQlSKUI2eviUyHMd91kDURrk_rKbacAfS3papAW-4ejUkEWFRTdFylSq4g3Jb0RrV5YJfjNbHAalLh5bwOke_OTQH4M/s400/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469670004845683650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>I'm not overkeen on this part of the walk; despite the bluebells and the cowslips, it has a slightly murky, unwholesome atmosphere as if something bad happened here a long time ago. <blockquote></blockquote><br /></span><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nk-ZjzPm1r6ytGY9HCQyQHgZ3GC-ohpeTg6SqIva9SRR6kzf3cdv6BIKUbfvbSql6YkdLzDWHsc0gmEzu9tFquZ7ZyemHlLwT3dMakvWVuzwu0j0wcoO09ZK32X7LT2BWLpMpKRB5u8/s1600/18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nk-ZjzPm1r6ytGY9HCQyQHgZ3GC-ohpeTg6SqIva9SRR6kzf3cdv6BIKUbfvbSql6YkdLzDWHsc0gmEzu9tFquZ7ZyemHlLwT3dMakvWVuzwu0j0wcoO09ZK32X7LT2BWLpMpKRB5u8/s400/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469669999351219698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>But at last we emerged on the wide track of the valley bottom - last seen in my earlier photos and the copse of trees which looked so bunchy and comfortable from our viewpoint.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcK-BSnSd_teJpPkOE1pd3hlOlDvUMGmv4zHWtm0HoWpvqus5HUKxMNbDokQwMUYZpkjRHuH1RwoczJG3f41kP2Xoa6F1pbBdS6Mqq-FuilJlau6BJHKuqZGf6T-dOtB6-7aPXQPouxk/s1600/19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcK-BSnSd_teJpPkOE1pd3hlOlDvUMGmv4zHWtm0HoWpvqus5HUKxMNbDokQwMUYZpkjRHuH1RwoczJG3f41kP2Xoa6F1pbBdS6Mqq-FuilJlau6BJHKuqZGf6T-dOtB6-7aPXQPouxk/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469669995625446258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>And the once-distant-now-near rapeseed field.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNMim2f-xLJTgZfbryGDjaQGC75sUiwYmkvV88AxpQAknrGQlENq_-X6bVub7ZIRGNunawIAVblaBrHAGpbhcbu-u8gwl98w_MbnDpCsrnoCXuEd3sD3yBXhK7v8L1CYXtM2bnsN767M/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNMim2f-xLJTgZfbryGDjaQGC75sUiwYmkvV88AxpQAknrGQlENq_-X6bVub7ZIRGNunawIAVblaBrHAGpbhcbu-u8gwl98w_MbnDpCsrnoCXuEd3sD3yBXhK7v8L1CYXtM2bnsN767M/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469669686884913026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Time to head home and a scramble up the slope to the left.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVpUCAPaR5dREFzcjgDLSYtIfXzM4U8VDcgxEKr-cYuRoiHM_X6K7SULOYi71EN1wCaG11Sfl9IIAVwjOVuj362uRQL9t-91ddXPaRflYH94TAZN9P1r1MwVmRrRVTJhFCSS9aOtjntY/s1600/21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVpUCAPaR5dREFzcjgDLSYtIfXzM4U8VDcgxEKr-cYuRoiHM_X6K7SULOYi71EN1wCaG11Sfl9IIAVwjOVuj362uRQL9t-91ddXPaRflYH94TAZN9P1r1MwVmRrRVTJhFCSS9aOtjntY/s400/21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469669681932057266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Finding on our way some small flowers which I've never seen before - another indication of how rich this patch is in variety and how generally sparse our flora has become. This tiny blue chap is Chalk Milkwort -</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY64VsUSZnufxZhe7q0Ow2xYfdN_hav6-7_1xgVO2Q8LRlVIVgiLyvDdUI5AMZiYD9B1_NsnLzkFyqBUrxAxXjFryGZniyR97qnCsgUh2DKNo6akHxDn4dOqaKCDNdRnDWOj737Z8NX-0/s1600/22.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY64VsUSZnufxZhe7q0Ow2xYfdN_hav6-7_1xgVO2Q8LRlVIVgiLyvDdUI5AMZiYD9B1_NsnLzkFyqBUrxAxXjFryGZniyR97qnCsgUh2DKNo6akHxDn4dOqaKCDNdRnDWOj737Z8NX-0/s400/22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469669671620584594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> <blockquote></blockquote>- and this funny, scruffy thing is Glaucous Sedge - not really a flower, botanically speaking, but a grass.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpJqxsBYMAAsc8yu3fsDnfXTw_fPYYiAXiUclsY_Pn017Sij8jL5_Bg6JBB49YIii3hbCDf1YN2JBb9ntaOUIFoR0Pe71HOd8PpV6n0tgnbxGnr2ZrNUZE1GaEA91QvoNQS_Nv9UdnmM/s1600/23.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpJqxsBYMAAsc8yu3fsDnfXTw_fPYYiAXiUclsY_Pn017Sij8jL5_Bg6JBB49YIii3hbCDf1YN2JBb9ntaOUIFoR0Pe71HOd8PpV6n0tgnbxGnr2ZrNUZE1GaEA91QvoNQS_Nv9UdnmM/s400/23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469669663604384114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Best of all and in sad, solitary splendour - two wild </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/plantlife-discovering-plants-grow-wild-pasqueflower.html">Pasque Flowers</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, incredibly pretty, rather rare and growing only on a few selected chalklands in Britain.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisQopwsAYn0cYO03Vldvy3WYD9KBHU6QOWskVptcbiZgEOHysz8ynBtV4W0P4hNDt-5qcII09bWP1nF-BLi2e8QyXjDfWnoYIfQNO6Kbarc_dm0OM8hyphenhyphencSwQ0xM7nCa4k_ZHBeZnXwn0/s1600/24.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisQopwsAYn0cYO03Vldvy3WYD9KBHU6QOWskVptcbiZgEOHysz8ynBtV4W0P4hNDt-5qcII09bWP1nF-BLi2e8QyXjDfWnoYIfQNO6Kbarc_dm0OM8hyphenhyphencSwQ0xM7nCa4k_ZHBeZnXwn0/s400/24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469669658093007506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>A day of treasures - some to store in the memory chest and others...<blockquote></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmdMzmPiVgzXSh64ixpkHu-N2Kt855_BE_GqroFL9sburKmocv0LFLxjIIswGAjkBu9Hdblz-XanKI2NdyqacMiDjan-6pO2I8OxcOH0unjQNacFlbjRP0dpkjakcsOH_gaAaaX3IMSA/s1600/25.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmdMzmPiVgzXSh64ixpkHu-N2Kt855_BE_GqroFL9sburKmocv0LFLxjIIswGAjkBu9Hdblz-XanKI2NdyqacMiDjan-6pO2I8OxcOH0unjQNacFlbjRP0dpkjakcsOH_gaAaaX3IMSA/s400/25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469991717759577058" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-40982719732324193572010-04-23T02:07:00.000-07:002010-04-23T02:21:29.715-07:00Happy St George's Day<div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aB4Nj7LD_aI2AXXT7NUCoDTjocFErCnLodgzlP52XnRs7cc5F48nFMZGjlzLrXWhTD1y6GWo4E083wJmhg5_zeZiraMzCkE_2bQ1J1ZH_uusuOxSMYRChJxHzW2sJT-c4WiYb-qEAW4/s1600/Kingham-Church.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aB4Nj7LD_aI2AXXT7NUCoDTjocFErCnLodgzlP52XnRs7cc5F48nFMZGjlzLrXWhTD1y6GWo4E083wJmhg5_zeZiraMzCkE_2bQ1J1ZH_uusuOxSMYRChJxHzW2sJT-c4WiYb-qEAW4/s400/Kingham-Church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463257346219982674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">A brief interlude to wish everyone who wishes to be wished, a happy St George's Day. Everytime I walk or cycle past a village church nestling in (still) unspoilt countryside I feel a small burst of happiness that I have the good fortune to live in England, with it's muddled but determined history, it's miscellanous jumble of race, religion and creed and our often understated ability to 'KBO'.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >*</span></span> <blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xT84t2GBT2883T1okDPCF2rWw7swJF9hlsFCoL4DQgGCy-6sYx6O0ip2ZI2CK_uZeto6VFeOHriivXxhkcuODapubEXo58xxxS3brWLsGJ67zZXHdZ9RsOOK59lkcUg2LNdtEPgXJRg/s1600/Swinbrook-Church.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xT84t2GBT2883T1okDPCF2rWw7swJF9hlsFCoL4DQgGCy-6sYx6O0ip2ZI2CK_uZeto6VFeOHriivXxhkcuODapubEXo58xxxS3brWLsGJ67zZXHdZ9RsOOK59lkcUg2LNdtEPgXJRg/s400/Swinbrook-Church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463257340499909330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Despite it's many faults, I would not live anywhere else on earth.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLptLEUIMz2POUku1TI_qVITvbva4jXnAiCeQ814gdnveZc2TD9Cx5sVex2BXr-CDy8qI8EA3_1gG-xscwl_adVV7OW_-usTy7HrxF0vaR-IRdZvuE6DCVZs1_P4owlzEbIRtWfAadx3Q/s1600/cotswolds.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLptLEUIMz2POUku1TI_qVITvbva4jXnAiCeQ814gdnveZc2TD9Cx5sVex2BXr-CDy8qI8EA3_1gG-xscwl_adVV7OW_-usTy7HrxF0vaR-IRdZvuE6DCVZs1_P4owlzEbIRtWfAadx3Q/s400/cotswolds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463257331968508466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">*</span> </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">'<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">K</span><span style="font-style: italic;">eep</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> B</span><span style="font-style: italic;">uggering </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">O</span><span style="font-style: italic;">n' as coined by that greatest of Britains, Winston Churchill</span>.</span></span><br /><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-3402092167904469382010-04-10T05:54:00.000-07:002010-04-10T06:17:01.679-07:00Hampnett 21/3/10<a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjOVJAFX6j_AOkW315NqdVzrmp9c1u1XkT91qdhpNku7sw_cjdm4hgPeLQRZGUrRtNY4HBdDp8YOVw6GSzBJUI85cgZiS7X0IME9Zc-Gv8wQU-OwsWVJSjllUwJKeP3JQGGglVIS2Vzo/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjOVJAFX6j_AOkW315NqdVzrmp9c1u1XkT91qdhpNku7sw_cjdm4hgPeLQRZGUrRtNY4HBdDp8YOVw6GSzBJUI85cgZiS7X0IME9Zc-Gv8wQU-OwsWVJSjllUwJKeP3JQGGglVIS2Vzo/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458492467400946690" border="0" /></a><blockquote style="font-family: arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjOVJAFX6j_AOkW315NqdVzrmp9c1u1XkT91qdhpNku7sw_cjdm4hgPeLQRZGUrRtNY4HBdDp8YOVw6GSzBJUI85cgZiS7X0IME9Zc-Gv8wQU-OwsWVJSjllUwJKeP3JQGGglVIS2Vzo/s1600/01.jpg"></a></blockquote><span style="font-family:arial;">With so many deadlines to finish in the studio, it's been a few weeks since I have been out and about. It's a horrid situation, but unavoidable. The last tramp we had was to a little village called Hampnett. It nestles quietly in a little dip, as it has done for hundreds of years. There is the church which we intended to visit.</span><blockquote style="font-family: arial;"></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_HYvJ7Vp_ZGkWW-i_ZWA9hT00sWCDYmEpybvaaRuFUq_1IpIBU0myPiRubvwRoxmKDS7lrteX64KmSNevhO6385nhQRmNecpAG6rL_J3j5AtQHpR7SvHxqRT9nm5yJIwiVkCs1boTEE/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_HYvJ7Vp_ZGkWW-i_ZWA9hT00sWCDYmEpybvaaRuFUq_1IpIBU0myPiRubvwRoxmKDS7lrteX64KmSNevhO6385nhQRmNecpAG6rL_J3j5AtQHpR7SvHxqRT9nm5yJIwiVkCs1boTEE/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458492462278801634" border="0" /></a><blockquote style="font-family: arial;"></blockquote><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Seen from the edge, little seems to have changed, save for cars and television aerials.</span><blockquote style="font-family: arial;"></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTtzjoFGdfe26VX80eYg41-l21dTDxkk9B_fZ4YoD0hoG6TOk0y055pjMHFxv5rze2gCIC-D2wAWYNAiRFSpq39rUu1kKPjUrnoB-x8ugaCwy_We4_O7B6JMnS5CFiXzZXDaEOX4-LUg/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTtzjoFGdfe26VX80eYg41-l21dTDxkk9B_fZ4YoD0hoG6TOk0y055pjMHFxv5rze2gCIC-D2wAWYNAiRFSpq39rUu1kKPjUrnoB-x8ugaCwy_We4_O7B6JMnS5CFiXzZXDaEOX4-LUg/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458492304031629442" border="0" /></a><blockquote style="font-family: arial;"></blockquote><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>The central green has a clean spring which trickles happily along, turning into a flowing stream. It's source is just in the middle of the picture here, if you follow the greener grass of the stream edge.</span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQdPX1nUJBrPmon5hRet8cZzknS4K7JpedGuvqZ4raxydtMAY3LQHUP9t8KdTLOEdyshoaoHc7Z3P39k0-ASpZye_Os3SLMvoZwMhsG0Sa1U491_2zTwxNQs1YLm1pleiA-_nX08qYVM/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQdPX1nUJBrPmon5hRet8cZzknS4K7JpedGuvqZ4raxydtMAY3LQHUP9t8KdTLOEdyshoaoHc7Z3P39k0-ASpZye_Os3SLMvoZwMhsG0Sa1U491_2zTwxNQs1YLm1pleiA-_nX08qYVM/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458492298257762130" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">We sat on the slope and had our little picnic.</span></div><blockquote></blockquote><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_lvCIZlOWIDtFgXogrjOaokRlvhsWX8JOSBPifwxPcZe625HtLuQxO7rkg-D-fZUgmNVfxCb9SumPRy5MJkZiCKawPoGV98t37Rb9BVFtttAFOYyN6w6KD0HuPF8FPvsjII3L-dVG-M/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_lvCIZlOWIDtFgXogrjOaokRlvhsWX8JOSBPifwxPcZe625HtLuQxO7rkg-D-fZUgmNVfxCb9SumPRy5MJkZiCKawPoGV98t37Rb9BVFtttAFOYyN6w6KD0HuPF8FPvsjII3L-dVG-M/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458492294611236866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Then followed the winding path up to the church</span>.<blockquote></blockquote><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTv6PfilRWJXhg289gJYYDhBzO9YBNQQByX4zaY-Xf4QJUugJAjBE37VNxXIRJJCnVsRjVWSPm-D1RlFvx8huRxhUHg1Lm966A1duxDPaP-ufz2PWfaAX7Pu5Dn_38-3xoX0mVXgUFMo/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTv6PfilRWJXhg289gJYYDhBzO9YBNQQByX4zaY-Xf4QJUugJAjBE37VNxXIRJJCnVsRjVWSPm-D1RlFvx8huRxhUHg1Lm966A1duxDPaP-ufz2PWfaAX7Pu5Dn_38-3xoX0mVXgUFMo/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458492287876773618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>This simple looking church contains a rather unusual secret. </span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHA0MNVw4MOW77oFyGzNJ79JccYNUibPkN-YEYq1wDRc71BVrNmYmFCXBZ6P4DqyQYq45FvK1dESF7NjGxqyI04PuJxwYnCBR2FjlMDg6MaQqB_YwmqWc9RiR9fEOPm-CNK7Xroa7UhiM/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHA0MNVw4MOW77oFyGzNJ79JccYNUibPkN-YEYq1wDRc71BVrNmYmFCXBZ6P4DqyQYq45FvK1dESF7NjGxqyI04PuJxwYnCBR2FjlMDg6MaQqB_YwmqWc9RiR9fEOPm-CNK7Xroa7UhiM/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458492288355260370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>Of which more, later.</span><br /></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-43132568530539887292010-03-20T07:27:00.000-07:002010-03-20T14:45:55.593-07:00Cotswold Lambs<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PxsYPeBOraE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PxsYPeBOraE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Last week we went up to the Cotswold Hills on a chilly spring day. As we parked the bike, a farmer drove into a field on a quad bike, towing a high sided trailer. Four lambs and two ewes tumbled out. We got chatting to the farmer, who was very proud of this year's results; it's been an excellent year for sheep and we were pleased to hear it. These little ones were only two days old, but after just a few minutes in the brisk Easterly wind, (which you can hear whipping round us) they were exploring their new world with a joyful curiosity. Down in the valley, gangs of lambs charged about and bounced around.<br /></span></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555610145811582446.post-80249598709148324332010-03-10T10:40:00.000-08:002010-03-12T04:54:32.928-08:00A little Saxon church<a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCZ1yahDK_nAP7caqx2FoTbNcZM7B5jYyJxqApputG9QwUgg75nhU7hvh4OpIOYcZS6phdUMorGtCNy1JBsbrY6rz5AQ-BtcooGwwAdLpE6b1lurSizlLBsJkoaf8qXHz6LbOuBeWesE/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCZ1yahDK_nAP7caqx2FoTbNcZM7B5jYyJxqApputG9QwUgg75nhU7hvh4OpIOYcZS6phdUMorGtCNy1JBsbrY6rz5AQ-BtcooGwwAdLpE6b1lurSizlLBsJkoaf8qXHz6LbOuBeWesE/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447091664360178290" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote>This is one part of the tale of two churches, lying within a mile or so of each other. The first church (as seen in my previous post '</span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://cotswoldpeeps.blogspot.com/2010/02/cotswold-bonbon.html">A Cotwolds bonbon</a><span style="font-family:arial;">') is the one situated above, in the village of Coln St Dennis and is Norman in origin, though almost certainly built on the site of a previous Saxon church. We visited both on a chilly Spring day last week. Each is a tiny, simple jewel, and each contains a similar story with different endings. <a href="http://allaroundus.blogspot.com/2010/03/little-norman-church.html"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">To visit this first one, you need to go over to my other blog</span></a>. But here, we are continuing our walk, on to Coln St Rogers.<blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AbdgefLASMhN76YZSBWOd6SrzCV7o9ou_dpVFAitE4Fhu4KOIDoNAtxXlP6_0mn1SukrFtFcgx1z4wGIkXEANwS-dzckt3r64q8qpba3OObVuMRxVl8ccFApxwMn4kD3IFPeZqdXB_k/s1600-h/16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AbdgefLASMhN76YZSBWOd6SrzCV7o9ou_dpVFAitE4Fhu4KOIDoNAtxXlP6_0mn1SukrFtFcgx1z4wGIkXEANwS-dzckt3r64q8qpba3OObVuMRxVl8ccFApxwMn4kD3IFPeZqdXB_k/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447092205521955154" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>Instead of following this inviting lane, we turned off left, and took a sideways route along the riverbank, the church just visible to our right.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTBoIIYPdCyCK4fEtFLnRA1XVe3ulZaek2fFqWcNNm3c0Q71BkOfbUKCXg3SKZT75NFWyAV5NhJGYKWYEc0PxN6X6AeQIrUM9HeQYT4rV00e6L-HeBQg2qD4M5nsoEsMfNzH-ybH-j1Q/s1600-h/17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTBoIIYPdCyCK4fEtFLnRA1XVe3ulZaek2fFqWcNNm3c0Q71BkOfbUKCXg3SKZT75NFWyAV5NhJGYKWYEc0PxN6X6AeQIrUM9HeQYT4rV00e6L-HeBQg2qD4M5nsoEsMfNzH-ybH-j1Q/s400/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447092210343830466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>The pussy willow was out - who can resist stroking the silky soft furry buds?<blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDO-UvX8cEtUTGcdQW54DGyM5RueDGygHUWCaKQs5JoLIEVx82IH4XoSlFPYNCJ82zZvKdb_ypQ2ulvbVW-S5IifaYohZ-ulI88sqmu8k6047Pd6hSwp_MAgQ-Ip2RwYxeRzr8GKJwrTc/s1600-h/18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDO-UvX8cEtUTGcdQW54DGyM5RueDGygHUWCaKQs5JoLIEVx82IH4XoSlFPYNCJ82zZvKdb_ypQ2ulvbVW-S5IifaYohZ-ulI88sqmu8k6047Pd6hSwp_MAgQ-Ip2RwYxeRzr8GKJwrTc/s400/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447092996300053218" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYUT2WY4lci9olrm6R9fCOEP8RRFPbzDT7QqBtW4v9h82H6fyLoGp2nutv8UUytfDF8jJl_0R-dIIqv3IkrQJP4ArNURb2cgG9UfQIRDPSDsaJnUPZ3eW11lcVqepHLJdcKa9s5R-nvU/s1600-h/20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYUT2WY4lci9olrm6R9fCOEP8RRFPbzDT7QqBtW4v9h82H6fyLoGp2nutv8UUytfDF8jJl_0R-dIIqv3IkrQJP4ArNURb2cgG9UfQIRDPSDsaJnUPZ3eW11lcVqepHLJdcKa9s5R-nvU/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447094330176703586" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The South porch is a late<span style="font-size:100%;">r additio</span>n, as is the bell tower.<blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wyofGZRtO4cIyPUfRiZ_8g131Bi7QDJDz7lX8bpsWll5ZmQmeNIBAYB3-9lwaXdrf0JqHiEP0PC3YLonRCnINFDeq1IOnqSvZABK2TX_lDfPiuhniS99EOw9hOlCEaZECROmBSRcq6E/s1600-h/29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wyofGZRtO4cIyPUfRiZ_8g131Bi7QDJDz7lX8bpsWll5ZmQmeNIBAYB3-9lwaXdrf0JqHiEP0PC3YLonRCnINFDeq1IOnqSvZABK2TX_lDfPiuhniS99EOw9hOlCEaZECROmBSRcq6E/s400/29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447678804900047058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Inside, an earlier, Norman entrance with recessed Typanum (the top of the arch).<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdh9CR4EPvtuu2e3036yZ22pq88ID-BCnlUDEEXvjXN0PtyG1EnZlHYXh5KOZNazYWyXdOYvMGzhGDL5FP7QTHh7_00MkC4MVVTSy3bC_He1c98GbaJqrVPvjPOVXt6_IdMeDDhqips38/s1600-h/30.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdh9CR4EPvtuu2e3036yZ22pq88ID-BCnlUDEEXvjXN0PtyG1EnZlHYXh5KOZNazYWyXdOYvMGzhGDL5FP7QTHh7_00MkC4MVVTSy3bC_He1c98GbaJqrVPvjPOVXt6_IdMeDDhqips38/s400/30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447681302225456770" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br />We are still in the early learning stage of 'reading a church' and our slim knowledge is often confused and groping - which is a shame because this marvellous little building is as rich in history as any grand cathedral. The central chancel arch seen here is apparently part of the first Saxon building, making at least 1,000 years old. St Andrews is a rare example of an very early church which has retained much of its original ground plan.<blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGngOejhianfLOlJlQYcRIXEtrCpp6WxDrzk_-_hc29_SIKrQv96Mkwh6SdGzlRZDB9010HaSoVKd0u5HLVrTfg55WVRoSG34hRDAP_k1J_0IcrMWD3N8zDQQP7Tv58-lclLolrR6WQuo/s1600-h/31.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGngOejhianfLOlJlQYcRIXEtrCpp6WxDrzk_-_hc29_SIKrQv96Mkwh6SdGzlRZDB9010HaSoVKd0u5HLVrTfg55WVRoSG34hRDAP_k1J_0IcrMWD3N8zDQQP7Tv58-lclLolrR6WQuo/s400/31.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447682073547617986" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTOhPCB5njqO2NsGJ0wD8S-eA63vmSo4tJece36xHhx4z-WTsnJGaA1tyC7mswoXV684Q9cjkPXpDOesyRwkpXwOvW3TJ0tlcDNasTWjcfCQPMr2bkytiLVXqZbdNGnyLhE6sF1RYQJg/s1600-h/32.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTOhPCB5njqO2NsGJ0wD8S-eA63vmSo4tJece36xHhx4z-WTsnJGaA1tyC7mswoXV684Q9cjkPXpDOesyRwkpXwOvW3TJ0tlcDNasTWjcfCQPMr2bkytiLVXqZbdNGnyLhE6sF1RYQJg/s400/32.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447684750873905986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />On top of the solid stone jambs, pellet ornament and you can see behind Saxon 'long and short work' - the supporting masonry surrounding the tall window. The pulpit to the right of the chancel arch is from the later Gothic 'Perpenicular period'; the late 1300's to the 1500's.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAeFA665oHtpwPmmZKON4TnYUS9Fzu7p7WzzHEwPb656WAzVjHB65CMvYqOZXy6nVaHBfGRxM1YnW7UAxm9lGUijg7B-0Hj9ARQ3rViUgbZqy9sAZeoP7-G9p9UX2pt0kCBnPWh2F_go/s1600-h/34.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAeFA665oHtpwPmmZKON4TnYUS9Fzu7p7WzzHEwPb656WAzVjHB65CMvYqOZXy6nVaHBfGRxM1YnW7UAxm9lGUijg7B-0Hj9ARQ3rViUgbZqy9sAZeoP7-G9p9UX2pt0kCBnPWh2F_go/s400/34.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447686613182050738" border="0" /></a> <a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRmCoUHPiYt22IeheDWkc-Gzxy3GP3KWNe5-tB5XAXmoyIg_TrtBdzRxfMBr0IcjxF5PApDLPmV1tqu3Gr7ChCzGnBRX4IcgEGcfnV8qjSjF2CVplVxvYQqn4eFYsnTl-4wFT3RCvdXI/s1600-h/23.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRmCoUHPiYt22IeheDWkc-Gzxy3GP3KWNe5-tB5XAXmoyIg_TrtBdzRxfMBr0IcjxF5PApDLPmV1tqu3Gr7ChCzGnBRX4IcgEGcfnV8qjSjF2CVplVxvYQqn4eFYsnTl-4wFT3RCvdXI/s400/23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447678820458385586" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yaDV1wCjGYtTTS8xEngJd9wCD_N6uRPRlxWdAjEnyi2xmaAaI3gtQpOkllQwmus1NvXmv9eweehmdzMmuuG0DmQkiLTqtCsvoZBRj3FuaittfUwSo3G0dsf3T3cmx3KV8jFMoIOZfeY/s1600-h/33.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yaDV1wCjGYtTTS8xEngJd9wCD_N6uRPRlxWdAjEnyi2xmaAaI3gtQpOkllQwmus1NvXmv9eweehmdzMmuuG0DmQkiLTqtCsvoZBRj3FuaittfUwSo3G0dsf3T3cmx3KV8jFMoIOZfeY/s400/33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447686060785615042" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AYO1smPHutuhbNCT3fbbq0fM5_mTtRsJxRwqFqSgHgKC0BjMcvOinKl8UQLNH1GialNVjOmti-3C1EGcesfN7xHGV_NWz_bft5FgCASPVCduwI0kYX0qEWroBeKCkbi8IIpX1AO0Cbc/s1600-h/35.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AYO1smPHutuhbNCT3fbbq0fM5_mTtRsJxRwqFqSgHgKC0BjMcvOinKl8UQLNH1GialNVjOmti-3C1EGcesfN7xHGV_NWz_bft5FgCASPVCduwI0kYX0qEWroBeKCkbi8IIpX1AO0Cbc/s400/35.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447688323192259074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />There are more wonderful old features than I could possibly list here, but we intend to return and I will continue my lecture another day. One final poppet - the remains of a Gothic period glass figure of St Margaret, about the same age as the stone pulpit (1300's - 1500's).<br /><blockquote></blockquote><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKV3oh4x6VDZLOLn1cnNPxitKZwuaKgtvF8YKf1zkuIe_wUwpGrHB_HcpBN3loFIYFfmooci65jPn3lNnZedtM3AG2aFKxFPwZhTFyUVq3VuYdJc8QmhjA3UlPMusUBnbquXdYftBNdQ/s1600-h/36.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKV3oh4x6VDZLOLn1cnNPxitKZwuaKgtvF8YKf1zkuIe_wUwpGrHB_HcpBN3loFIYFfmooci65jPn3lNnZedtM3AG2aFKxFPwZhTFyUVq3VuYdJc8QmhjA3UlPMusUBnbquXdYftBNdQ/s400/36.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447692012989465090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family:arial;">On the way out I picked up a jar of homemade marmalade -<blockquote></blockquote><br /></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierP8rxZ5ADZsVmh62b8-lZUJsP-DzZtjjFQV6-ntpcGP3nnsNuyi8lHvrOQqD04k_S6zbtXYYORGcdUdo_bTnE6KAcf4cXeigQjB8hyphenhyphenyW4gqnLS20AiGcEAN68IloWzzfcO4mI_UybFc/s1600-h/25.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierP8rxZ5ADZsVmh62b8-lZUJsP-DzZtjjFQV6-ntpcGP3nnsNuyi8lHvrOQqD04k_S6zbtXYYORGcdUdo_bTnE6KAcf4cXeigQjB8hyphenhyphenyW4gqnLS20AiGcEAN68IloWzzfcO4mI_UybFc/s400/25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447317476047567890" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Sat on top of the Norman tub-shaped font in a tupperware box -<blockquote></blockquote><br /></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_drdd5u5zkCtIVFIFGrzDXK3slCDeOxByDxitFwquabWawdTWLXlkpp6sdn392RTuayTpcGEbUS0x8Ao0SoqHkNB9ATlijKNyPVoPQJzUxgDThwumscrIUTpSURs_DSX7yKAZWmXgB7s/s1600-h/26.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_drdd5u5zkCtIVFIFGrzDXK3slCDeOxByDxitFwquabWawdTWLXlkpp6sdn392RTuayTpcGEbUS0x8Ao0SoqHkNB9ATlijKNyPVoPQJzUxgDThwumscrIUTpSURs_DSX7yKAZWmXgB7s/s400/26.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447317475011414146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>and only 80p. It's an honesty system and you pop your money in a little 'letterbox' safe in the wall.<blockquote></blockquote><br /></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoQZEwWHekALgxkztBI2pWW4ZoDHcXOJQKzF_Xg60lwHlqqrgbIQVc8vZFuSMpbK2w97kq5wD-NjYZv5QoP5Gv9b_LnhiRYwUl4ZKj6x-vxJny78oFx6zog1ddNSnSqrWx8oqd98e9ic/s1600-h/27.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 329px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoQZEwWHekALgxkztBI2pWW4ZoDHcXOJQKzF_Xg60lwHlqqrgbIQVc8vZFuSMpbK2w97kq5wD-NjYZv5QoP5Gv9b_LnhiRYwUl4ZKj6x-vxJny78oFx6zog1ddNSnSqrWx8oqd98e9ic/s400/27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447317466025751794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />A country church may appear deserted, but there will be some neighbour keeping a watchful eye on the odd visitor. Here I found Andy with a volunteer gardener, discussing the Great War (World War One) and the devastating impact it had on the population of British villages. And here is the parting of the way in my tale of two villages.<blockquote></blockquote><br /></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiWgbhdXWH-fn0iRJOZvTbcSC8ffnr3cL8eT24CPbHTK_EstbkMc62GsxLe17FspSjWKobTaW9JxJE45vvO_PRnSppXRB5Ha8SxmmpXKy4P0xmBNFZuJPTuhbS2Sqvq3z-4L9iRUl2yw/s1600-h/24.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiWgbhdXWH-fn0iRJOZvTbcSC8ffnr3cL8eT24CPbHTK_EstbkMc62GsxLe17FspSjWKobTaW9JxJE45vvO_PRnSppXRB5Ha8SxmmpXKy4P0xmBNFZuJPTuhbS2Sqvq3z-4L9iRUl2yw/s400/24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447317479867791202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />For while in neighbouring Coln St Dennis, many young lives were lost, miraculously all the servicemen from Coln Rogers - and one woman who was in the </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.redcross.org.uk/index.asp?id=3423">Voluntary Aid Detachment</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> - returned. I found myself wondering what repercussions this had on relationships between the villages, which, being in an isolated spot and so close to each other, must have had tight bonds. Were there undercurrents of resentment or a general feeling of thankfulness that at least some had been spared?<br /><blockquote></blockquote><br /></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQwLbkhOgQyq31rbqjXbkOkM2FCjX0JWhFKpLp2RNoEh0-Xhfn0KIfQKTFobTAC315vOr2VA7eYmfwYNv9KymH-oBFeNYd_EVylY4Pd40ssekflGGUo96iIzce7VgXkLe71_sEJ-TElk/s1600-h/28.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQwLbkhOgQyq31rbqjXbkOkM2FCjX0JWhFKpLp2RNoEh0-Xhfn0KIfQKTFobTAC315vOr2VA7eYmfwYNv9KymH-oBFeNYd_EVylY4Pd40ssekflGGUo96iIzce7VgXkLe71_sEJ-TElk/s400/28.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447317457452443522" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote></blockquote><br />As usual I am indebted for my clumsy knowledge to the Internet and the useful little pamphlet provided by a local amateur historian.<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote></span> <a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzjo7ybtWnoATVM31kOLwpksA_gdwBpl5qD2u8CmSzE9GjvIqiRNR_ywioCymnkb1W6mYcu_-Vx7H_KgIEN8EC-0Gi3on90RxF8riM-V7Ozev0eqYlxXCQmpgfpc-mcp9PJY282tlZVo/s1600-h/22.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzjo7ybtWnoATVM31kOLwpksA_gdwBpl5qD2u8CmSzE9GjvIqiRNR_ywioCymnkb1W6mYcu_-Vx7H_KgIEN8EC-0Gi3on90RxF8riM-V7Ozev0eqYlxXCQmpgfpc-mcp9PJY282tlZVo/s400/22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447678814950746786" border="0" /></a></div>Gretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com13