The Cotswolds

The old stocks of Stow-on-the-Wold

We are standing in front of a memorial for the Battle of Stow during the Civil War of 1646. 

Fleece Alley. You should have heard Dad "baaing" as we walked down it. He is quite fond of sheep, having worked a lot with them growing up.

St Edward's Church in Stow-on-the-Wold

Some say the JRR Tolkien modeled the Gates of Moria after this church door (flanked by yew trees). Tolkien was known to wander through the Cotswolds.

These were the trails we followed as we walked from Stow back to Bourton-on-the-Water where we are staying. Her Majesty's Way, or the Public Footpath. These little signs were our cairns of the fields.

Nether Swell Manor

A crow. As it turns out. Dad and I have been admiring this black and grey beauty for several days. It's shading is stunning. A English woman told us it was a crow. She was surprised we thought it was so pretty.

Kids frolicking along a river.

One of the many cows pausing to check us out as we walked by.

We made it to Lower Slaughter. Slaughter, in this case, is actually referring to "sloe," which is a small, round, dark purple fruit from a blackthorn.

The Parish Church of St Mary's in Lower Slaughter

The Old Mill in Lower Slaughter

I can't tell you how perfect the day was. The walk was lovely. The grass was green. Birds were chirping. Such a fantastic day on Her Majesty's Way