• Big Retirement OE
    She was a hot one
    1Such a relaxing spot2My fav spot at our accommodation3The NEIGHBOURS POOL which we were not allowed in - tortureStart of our walk to Dover's RestThe view was lovely on our walkCover's Rest, compass on top was pointing true NorthWe came down these which was nice1The bush was beautifulThe mounds in the field was from Roman cultivation3Just a pretty spot. You can see these steps are very old and well wornChipping CampdenThe old market hall in Chipping Campden, right in the middle of the now streets2Inside the old market hallThis is the alleyway that the horses come through to start the huntThe Lygon Arms HotelThe hooks in the ceiling were for the travellers to hang their luggageWhere the horses come through for the hunt on New Years DayOur worldly belongings. We are loving our Sierra suitcases/backpacks.

    Chipping Campden - London

    Jun 30–Jul 2 in England ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Our stopover on the way from Sennybridge to London was Chipping Campden, another delightful Cotswold Village. We stayed out of Chipping Campden at Western Subedge in the country. It was 32 degrees, we didn’t escape the heatwave that was sweeping through Europe. Our apartment was lovely but as is typical in the UK no air conditioning but with all the windows open it did cool down a little. There was a beautiful outdoor area in the shade and a breeze so life was pretty good until I heard the owners of the apartment swimming in their pool which we were strictly forbidden to use 😆
    The next morning early, we set off for a 5km walk up to Dovers Rest, this area had been inhabited by the Romans and you can still see the mounds in the fields where they had cultivated wine. The walk went through an orchard, paddocks & a forest, where we spotted a squirrel, the sheep were obviously used to people walking around them as they didn’t move an inch.
    We visited Chipping Campden and had an ale in the Lygon Arms Hotel. This used to be a coaching inn for travellers with stables out the back and hooks in the ceiling of the alleyway where they hung their luggage out of harms way. The owners have had this inn for 5 generations and each year they have a hunt on New Year’s Day, the horses still travel down the side of the inn and out onto the street. I have added photos of the alleyway to give a perspective of how narrow it is where the horses go through. This is an old tradition that has lasted generations.
    I did ask a local why there is hardly any air conditioning available, apparently it is because a lot of the buildings are listed and you cannot put a AC unit outside or it will ruin the aesthetic.
    We found a pie shop! Neil asked if they had a mince pie and they didn’t know what he was talking about, thought he was a bit nuts to be honest. Mince!! In a pie!! Anyway we purchased a steak & ale pie for me and a steak, Guinness & stilton pie for Bully. They have a more sweet pastry here on their pies, I personally prefer the savoury pastry.
    To be honest we were very tired after our busy time in Sennybridge so the rest of the day was very quiet.
    This morning we set off for London to drop off the car at Heathrow, get a train into London and walk to our Hotel. They call the M25 the biggest carpark in London for a reason, I am sure we travelled at 10mph for a long time but we got there. Temperature 24 today so a lot more pleasant.
    Our hotel in London was described as ‘compact’ I think that is an exaggeration 😂 I chose this hotel for the proximity to St Pancras Station where we get on the Eurostar to Paris in a couple of days. It has what we need and what more can you ask for!    Read more