Sunrise over the Cotswolds

A cool breeze blew in this am so we rose early and headed to the diamond hike- get a jump start on the day. As we made our way up the first hill, to see the sun rise, the a young man came past with three black labs bounding behind.

He signaled them and they ran into the wheat field which then exploded with pheasants flying scattered into the air.  The dogs circled around again and a new line of pheasants flew out of the wheat.. It was a show for the early bird… moments later almost like magic the sunlight burst through and cast a splendid golden glow over the fields. We paused to drink it all in then pressed on. A few miles later, the path wound through another farm where cattle were on the hill and milling in the tall grass drinking from the brook. One approached me quickly then lost interest and wandered away. This gave his friend the courage to ramble over to have his snout petted. ( so many new friends!). Wander on… hop the sheep gate..squish… remember those water proof boots… well, they are broken in now. Dodge the cow patties, back in to Blockley to have breakfast at the cozy cafe. ( which despite a six mile hike did not open for another hour… oh well what’s a little longer walk back to our primrose cottage).

After re-sorting  our plans for the week, we decided to take a drive to Campden Norton to the Hook Norton Brewery tour.  Can’t pass up a good brewery tour and this one proved to be one of the best. The Hook Norton Brewing company has been in existence since 1849’s. The founder ‘s family still manages the brewery and the master brewer is a great ( or great great) grandson.

This tour differed in that it combined history, engineering ( the brewery had a steam engine which powered the production in Victorian times. It still works to this day, though economically is has switched over to electricity. Once a month the brewery starts it up and the many engineers/beer lovers come to marvel. It is the only brewery to still deliver to local establishments using their four shire horses. We got to meet them. They were full of personality. Two were long time partners and very docile, the third was kind of spunky, but controlled… the fourth.. Well he may go the way of the last horse who was sold off after not quite fitting in… Next was the chemistry. While we have been on a lot of brewery tours, Peter, our guide explained the chemistry of beer, varieties, btu, etc. finally off to the cellar where we experienced the difference between cask beer and keg beer, tasted a variety of ales.

Next on to Stow-in-the-wold -A Cotswold favorite town. We arrived soon before the charter busses were leaving. It was a crazy thing… within 10 minutes, the hectic cramped square was open spaciously, and closed commercially… as the busses go so close the businesses…. Glad we are in Blockley.

We end our day in the most delightful way (okay that sounds a little like Mary Poppins but that’s what happens when we travel…). As we drove back in on the one road to Blockley, we passed the bowling green( bocce ball… but English style).

Each day as we walk past, we wondered if there would be a match while we are here. Lo and behold, the green was alive with bowlers. They were revelling in playful banter and catching up on the latest ranking. They welcomed us in to sit on the bench and watch, “oh the bar is open… get yourself a drink. Or sit here in the grandstands with us (the little porch)… by the time a couple of matches were done, we were learning all about the league (small but mighty, they have four local members who have made a playoff team in all of the Cotswolds!) Brenda, told us about her husband ( who was a star player) was born in Blockley, joined the military, they married, lived in Hong Kong and all over the world only to return to the place they started. It is a wonderful little community and they made us feel a part of it. Thanks Blockley- go team!