Your Going to Need a Brolly!

We came to this magical place to hike and experience life in the English countryside. It is bucolic and lovely. When the sun hits the

honey colored stone of the Cotswolds cottages or glistens on the dewey hillside it is beautiful. We have seen that… but we have also seen a lot of rain! And since we are only here while we are here, we have hiked in it anyway. A great thank you to Bob and Elaine Who brought waterproof jackets, hiking boots and a willingness to try anything. Our hike To Moreton-in-Marsh while not too long and only a little damp in the beginning, led us to the section of open hillsides just as the downpour began. It looked like the scene in a Rom-com as the couple on the idyllic trip comes over the ridge to sideways rain, soggy sheep a pasture of cow pies and mud that sucks you in and is very slippery. Boots and pants -muddy, spirits -still high.

On a hike to Stanton and Snowshill, we were thoroughly entertained as we battled the slippery mud uphill only to find a team of young riders practicing their jumping. The horses

were beautiful black and chestnut brown( we can verify that they matched the color of the many chestnuts we found fallen on the ground around us!). We watched the jumping for awhile and as we made our way on… we crossed paths yet again with the girls in a higher and larger pen along the way. We planned to tour the Snowshill Manor, but the chill in the air and the pub, Snowshill Arms

which closed mid afternoon was a stronger call. We persisted on and toured the church from the 1500’s and had a bite to eat at the pub which dated back at least that far. Our trail app was fading in and out and we still had to find our way back to the car… we have found the paper maps are not always as detailed as we would like and the technology is not always are reliable… so hardy group that we are… we took our chances, made our best guesses and wandered until we were back on the trail… ( this time the 6 mike loop was only a little over the 6 miles…so we felt victorious).

We packed Bob and Elaine up and dropped them at the train station in Moreton-in- Marsh. They were great travel partners and good sports!
Today we are by ourselves again. The sunshine promised to stay out for the morning so we take advantge – off to Ebrington. Ebrington is a little community with several large farms and manor homes. We planned a six mile hike around the Foxcote Manor.

There are very few places in the world where you can hear long stretches of quiet-actual quiet. On the hike here is no sound of traffic or cars only birds chirping and wind blowing through the trees and the occasional boot fall squishing in the mud. The thicket is full of pheasant. They have a chortling cluck sound. They rustle in the bushes sometimes taking flight with a squawk as we pass. Others scurry along a head as in a race. Still others are less daunted by humans. The pheasant season has not begun yet so they are blissful in the field.

Arriving at a circular green at the start of our hike, we noted the many quaint bed and breakfast establishments that sprinkled the town. The Ebrington pub is a charming pub that brings in the locals and the tourists. It has a commitment to local and organic food. We will use that as our inspiration when the going gets tough.

The trail is beautiful. In England, the strong culture of the freedom to walk. Trails cut across farms, fields with horses, meadows with sheep, hillsides with cows, and sometimes a note to remind hikers to stay on the footpaths or keep your dog on the lead(dogs are very healthy here as they walk miles daily). This particular hike boasts much more aggressive warnings to stay on the path and electric fencing in even the wooded areas. Eventually we see why. The Foxcote Manor and Estate would rival the mansions in Newport, RI. The sprawling grounds behind the house, the prestigious and stately driveway in behind the iron gate and 12foot hedges was jaw dropping. CCTV, a security company, and electric fencing…

we were glad to stay on the path… the only problem is… with no cell service and a fluky app to mark our trail, we were not always sure where the path connected again when crossing the manicured lane. ( the stable, which we came upon first, was so large and impressive we at first mistook it for the manor!). A few extra steps back tracking to find a public footpath marker and we got back on track.

The only cell towers we have seen in the Cotswolds were at the peak of the ridge… along with at variety of outbuildings and more warnings of surveillance. We turn to enjoy the absolutely breathtaking view ahead and scurrying along ( like the pheasants) on the trail…. must be time to try lunch at the Ebrington Inn!