12 Sept 2014

Trying to cut back on the itinerary, we decided to go the Blenheim Palace then back to Chipping Campden for an hour – early stop. Then we talked to Veronica, our hostess, and she suggested we go “cross country” from Blenheim to the “Slaughters”  (Upper and Lower) and maybe Broadway. Definitely avoid Burdon in the Water. (Tour buses can’t fit into the Slaughters. )

So we set off for Blenheim. The place is huge. Reminded me of Versailles. Lots of portraits and state rooms are what is open to the public.

The grounds are also very large. We walked down to the rose garden, but that was about it. There were horse trials going on on the grounds and we were lucky that the traffic was not bad. Another location with a café – in fact about 6 of them. I was very happy with my arugula, pear, local blue cheese, and walnuts salad.

We also heard and interesting short lecture by the organist. I had not idea how a pipe organ works, but he did a demonstration of the effects of the various stops. And I now know where the expression, “pull out all the stops” came from.

Then off to Lower Slaughter. We were able to take main road up until the last mile or so. Lower Slaughter is a charming village with a shallow river and an old mill. There’s a café and a gift shop with ice cream!  Double chocolate. Yum.

The old mill at Lower Slaughter

We told the nav system to take us back to Chipping Campden. She wanted us to turn around – not happening on that road, so we chose an alternate – off we go on the narrow back roads again.

View from one of the no-name roads in the Cotwolds

Finally back on A44 headed for Campden where we intend to wander around and maybe eat dinner. We came into town the same way we went yesterday when we had to circle back Left turn, right turn, right turn, left turn. Somehow we end up going the wrong way on a one-way street. Aiieee!  Finally got straightened out and parked. There is a very nice craft gallery in an old silk mill. Glass, pottery, silk scarves, stone sculpture, and some very good watercolors.

All the pubs we wanted to eat at were booked, so we called the Ebrington local and booked a table for 6:45. We both had the cod and finished off with a very good port. Tomorrow we are back to Wales. North Wales, that is. Conwy, which is a walled city. We decided to pass on Warwick Castle after reading that it has been turned into a sort of theme park. But we’ll probably stop at Iron Bridge and check out some of the museums to break up the drive.