Cotswolds

It is now 10.45pm - about an hour past my new bedtime of 9 o'clock. We've had a fantastic day and I'm feeling refreshed after a bath and cup of tea. Oh, and Toblerone!

Today the weather forecast was 24 degrees so we decided to head off on a drive to the countryside instead of trawling some of the housing estates nearby. For the first time James was up and happy to eat breakfast (vegemite toast) with no fuss. Looks like we've turned the corner!

I am becoming more confident being Chief Navigator in our family. At least if we get tooted at it's because we're Volvo drivers, not Aussie tourists! Martin is driving really well under sometimes stressful circumstances (M4, M3,most roundabouts etc!) but we are still happily married!

From home we headed north through Slough and up to the M40. Vehicles in the right lane travel at 70 miles per hour, approx. 120kms. Well, that's the limit but they do go faster. They speed past like rockets, even the huge lorries! The countryside up to and around Oxford was just lovely, even so close to the motorway. The fields alternated dark green and the brightest yellow crop you've ever seen. We think it's canola but it flies by in a blur so it's hard to tell.

Turning off the A40 at Burton we drove to Stow-on-the-Wold but made a hurried exit as a Horse Fair was imminent, police presence high and traffic on the one tiny road bumper-to-bumper. We turned south and drove to the heart of the Cotswolds - the Slaughters. Martin had warned me that the two towns are tiny - blink and you miss it - and that's so true. Being a Thursday there were few people about and we wandered freely and took heaps of photos. James just loved the ducks on the stream that runs through.

We stopped for lunch at the Washbourne Court Hotel and thought how lovely it would be to be guests here. From here we made a stop at the Old Mill shop and bought ice creams - Berry for James, Butter Crunch for Martin and Brown Bread for me. I know! But it was like brown bread with brown sugar and it was delicious and James had too many licks! Sufficiently cooled (24 degrees is a heatwave here!) we walked up through the right-of-way fields to Upper Slaughter. The lovely woolley sheep were not bothered by our presence and James thought they were funny. The lambs were bleating to their mummies - so cute!

The drive home was bit of an obstacle course - 2 lots of roadworks and a lorry in a ditch. It took 2 hours but James got a good sleep in, waking up as we parked the car at home. It was great to answer the phone and it was Mum at 2.30am Melbourne time! A quick stay at home then out again to the King & Castle for dinner (the Queen was home as the flag is up) and Martin commented that Windsor has such a vibrant atmosphere. We had dinner in the terrace beer garden and there were many other people out enjoying the evening light and warmth. I especially like listening to all the different accents.
Two couples stopped Martin to ask directions so he must look like a local. Imagine their surprise when he speaks! So another busy day. James is always happy to snuggle down into bed after a couple of books and lots of cuddles. And so am I!

We've uploaded some more photos from the Slaughters. See them here.