A trip by train to Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds to stay a couple of nights with our old friend, musician Terry Rodbard,
who has visited us several times in Cape Town. Terry recently moved there after several years in Greece
Off to the local pub, The Bakers Arms, for dinner
a very old, traditional pub which has undergone a recent renovation
He is a regular visitor
The menu
Lynne was seriously tempted by the starters, two instead of a main, she thought ....
Duck liver parfait and Ox or Monkfish cheeks? Decisions, decisions
and she settled for good fresh fish and crisp chips
The lads both had the huge, excellent, hamburgers
washed down by a pint of good local ale, Butty Bach
Dessert is always resistable in our family
The next morning we were off to explore this historic and beautiful area
Part of the charm of the area is these beautifully built old Cotswold cottages ...
... and mansions, mostly built with local stone
Autumn was awash on the trees and the chill was ready to settle in for a few months
You have to keep stopping to gawp and take more photos
although Lynne is not sure that a photo of the driver and passenger was worth taking!
The Alms houses as you enter Chipping Campden are very special
The gate to a very special property, Campden House, which we often see used on British TV programmes
It is next door to the historic local Church
People put the strangest things in their windows.... King Charles and Grommit in an Alms house
Startlingly beautiful golden trees which cast a carpet of golden leaves beneath them
Lynne was astounded to see that they are not an indigenous tree, but Gingko Biloba
"This is considered a living fossil. It’s the only surviving species of a group of trees
that existed before dinosaurs roamed the earth
Genetically, it has remained unchanged over the past 180+ million years."
They certainly make a gorgeous impact
Rows of classic houses line the High Street
This one with a door to an inner courtyard, allowing access for the horses
A mansion covered in ivy
and many little shops, still trading
Historic chimney pots
and an alleyway adjacent to a hotel, leading to other properties
A sunken walkway
Berries still on the tree
The old Chipping Campden Market Hall
Some history: "Chipping Campden Market Hall stands in the centre of Chipping Campden High Street
This beautiful and iconic Market Hall is surrounded by ancient houses made from the local honey-coloured stone,
and it’s easy to imagine the market-place alive with the bustle of traders from centuries past
Built in 1627 by the town’s wealthy benefactor, Sir Baptist Hicks,
this landmark of the town was built to provide shelter for traders
Back then, townsfolk would trade goods like cheese, butter and poultry"
This beautiful and iconic Market Hall is surrounded by ancient houses made from the local honey-coloured stone,
and it’s easy to imagine the market-place alive with the bustle of traders from centuries past
Built in 1627 by the town’s wealthy benefactor, Sir Baptist Hicks,
this landmark of the town was built to provide shelter for traders
Back then, townsfolk would trade goods like cheese, butter and poultry"
Another view
A door into an historic Grammar School and Headmaster's House
Built in 1440, the text above the door reads "Schola grammatica 1487"
An Italian Bistro in the historic centre of town
Not exactly perfect weather for dining al fresco
We were heading for the Lygon Arms Hotel for some coffee, tea and cake and to get warm
It was rather damp and chilly outside
Resting weary feet?
Cotswold Ales
The Bar
Collapsed from the walk, needing warm refeshment
Good coffee and a wicked chocolate Brownie
Pumpkin season, just past Halloween
and, after another long historic walk and drive, we felt in need for refreshment
So why not try another country pub?
The Ebrington Arms is over 200 years old and full of charm, if not great service that day
Down a charming country lane
Caution: Low beams (and slow service)
Those settles keep the draught off your back
We chatted to locals while the barman did his accounts
The girls had a complaint; his comment, "I only work here". A reason for termination
Two more to try... Well, we are in Shakespeare country; Stratford is only a short ride down the road
Lynne felt she needed a Guinness to revive her. The Shakespeare was also very good
Parking under the ancient oaks
And then, later, it was time for supper and so we went, yes, to another good local pub
The Eight Bells in Chipping Campden, one that Terry recommends as the food is very good
Lots of different beers on tap to choose from...
Chatting to the landlord's pretty daughter
A table reserved, a warm welcome, a glass of wine for Lynne, more good beer and company
The Menu
An individual Short Crust Steak and Ale pie, creamy mash, parsnips, celeriac and cherry tomatoes
served with a red wine gravy
Oh wow, Lynne was in need of a salad and this was a very special one
A classic Caesar salad topped with copious amounts of good smoked salmon, Boquerones (white Spanish anchovies),
good croutons and lots of the classic sauce, crisp cos lettuce and grated parmesan. Thank you chef
An humongous Beef burger on a potato bun, with chilli and bacon jam, mozzarella, Cotswold relish, Jalapeno chilli,
marinated onions, served with coleslaw and crisp chips
Wall art? ECIVDA means "You were a seeker of truth and wisdom", apparently
The mist and rain were beginning as we left after a very good supper
Winter setting in?
Up early the next morning for the next epic trip with all our luggage
Train from Moreton in Marsh Station to Paddington, then the Heathrow Express
(which turned out to be on the very next platform to where our train came in.... whew)
and on to the airport and our flight to Belfast
We had bought Britrail passes before leaving South Africa and it made train travel so much easier
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