Hacking the Cotswolds and All Things Horses

Our friend Elaine had one wish for the Cotswolds… to ride a horse out in the fields. A hack, as it is known, can be arranged at several of the horses farms in the area.

We chose the day for the “hack” and set off to find the Cotswolds Riding School at Durham Farms ( Chastleton, Morton-in-Marsh – try fitting all that on a business card!) .

We took our time at breakfast, then made our way to the farm. Cell service in the Cotswolds is occasional. When our GPS did not identify the farm’s address we arrived by instinct and a few lucky turns.

The farm has a wonderful long driveway in. Along the way the in we see the ducks on one side and the free range chickens on the right. The chickens are all different. Some are shaggy… yes shaggy. They look like they have a mop of feathers… on their feet, on bodies, … really interesting! The ducks were splashing in the puddles.. it was a an animated delight.

The grooms or stable girls were busily readying the horses, when Robert, the stable dog, came out to greet us. He was an adorable little friend. He trotted out, got his share of belly rubs and ear scratches , then greeted us and went on his way to check out the horses.

Elaine saddled up and we watched her head off down the road. We arranged to pick her up after her hack and head on to Hook Norton.

We drove into Moreton- in-Marsh to pick up a few groceries while Elaine was on the hack. A fascinating thing about grocery stores here. Many are co-ops. The people who work in them are very proud and dedicated to them. The store in Moreton- in-Marsh was as clean and well stocked as I have ever seen. The produce department identifies where everything is sourced, mostly in the Cotswolds some from France and Spain. You can call ahead and make an appointment to have your car hand washed while you shop! ( this was rivaling a grocery store we saw in Ireland where you could put your clothes in to wash as you went into shop).

We got back to the horse farm, picked up Elaine, said goodbye to our four- legged friend Robert, and headed on to Hook Norton.

In our American world of the micro-brewery with local following which seem to be multiplying weekly, Hook Norton is home to family run brewery which was founded in 1849, is a very popular brew and still holds to many of the same traditions. As we pull in for lunch in the malt house kitchen, we came face to face with one such tradition… or should I say face to muzzle. Hook Norton still delivers its beers to the locale breweries by horse drawn carriage! We arrive just as the team is returning from one run to restock. The very large flatbed wagon dwarfs the wagons we thrill to see in competition at the Big E (New England States fair). Two shire horses, (shires are noted to be the world’s largest draft horses) were harnessed to the wagon trotting along the lane ahead of us, we went over to see them just as they turned around to reload the wagon and go out again.

The young woman, Elizabeth, had masterfully brought the team into the brewery and was happy to talk with us about the horses and the work. The village of Hook Norton takes pride in keeping the horses. They attend events and are a draw to the brewery beyond the beer.

Again we are struck with how open and friendly people are. We pet the gentle giants as they await their next adventure. Elizabeth explains how she likes to keep them at a walk on days they make two deliveries and how much the enjoy the many miles while they are working. She talks about the recently retired, Nelson, who is back in the barn with the companion pony, Smudge and encourages us to go visit them while we are here.

The stables are just past

the Victorian tower where the spent grains from the beer making process are dropped. The brewery is a marvel of technology with age old gears previously run by steam engine. The pub is a warm and welcoming nook.

 

We ended our trip with a delicious lunch in the pub. If we can dodge the rain we may get another hike in back in Bourton-on-the Hill (or we may just get wet….again!). After a long (and wonderful) day, we head back to the Primrose Cottage and start up the wood stove and crack a bottle of wine to warm our chilled bones.