A Short Visit to Bourton-On-The-Water

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bourton-on-the-water, cotswolds, river windrush, uk

The so-called “Venice of the Cotswolds” Bourton-on-the-Water is a picturesque Cotswold village only 40 minutes from Cheltenham situated on the River Windrush with several low stone bridges crossing the river.

We set out late on the lazy Saturday afternoon of 6 October 2012.  We have already visited Bourton several times, it is one our favorite places in the Cotswolds.   It was sunny but still chilly.  The kids slept on the way to the village and we parked outside of the Edinburgh Woolen Mill shop for another 30 minutes to allow them to sleep a bit longer.  Sherrie and I took turns going through some shops while the kids were sleeping.

Once the kids woke up we walked through the small high-street.  The kids love this town.  They love running over the bridges, watching the ducks, and sitting by the river just enjoying the town.  It did not help that it was so close to dinner and every shop sells ice cream!

After walking down a street we had visited before we found the small China Town Restaurant (which also served Thai and Vietnamese cuisine).  Sherrie had a hankering for Ma Po Tofu.  But it was still early, only 4:40 and the restaurant, as many do, didn’t open until 5:00.

We walked the 30 yards to the riverfront and watched the ducks from the bridge.  I snapped a picture of the kids and some video while we were waiting.

I walked into a shop to look around and came out to see them gone.  I looked around and saw them quickly walking up the promenade.  I followed and saw that they were headed to visit a couple of horses which had taken a break in the river next to a bridge – perfect height for the children!

The kids had a great time meeting the horses who were very friendly but were intently trying to eat their shoes 🙂

After about 10 minutes the horses decided it was time to move on and they walked on.  The kids were very excited.  We headed to the restaurant and had a great meal – better than we anticipated.  I had crispy szechuan beef and Sherrie got her Ma Po Tofu!  We shared with the kids who also ate some extra rice.  The staff at the restaurant was very friendly and loved the kids.  The kids walked away with lollipops.  A great outing.

 

Celebrating My Birthday in the UK

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abbey, beer, birthday, bourton-on-the-water, cathedral, cotswolds, edward II, gloucester, history, king, pub, robert curthose, tomb

Today I celebrated my birthday with my family.  My first birthday living overseas in the UK.

I slept in until 0830 when I heard Isabella come up the stairs to check if I was still sleeping.  I went downstairs at 0845 greeted by the family with a warm Happy Birthday! before Isabella told me I was not supposed to be awake yet.  Sherrie sent me back upstairs with the kids while she finished breakfast.

Sherrie made a wonderful plate of back-bacon, scrambled eggs (Gordon Ramsay style), and toast with orange juice.  One of my favorite breakfasts.

Aurelia then took a nap and we headed out to do some sightseeing nearby.

Gloucester Cathedral

I really wanted to visit Gloucester Cathedral.  There has been an abbey on the site since 678 and the current cathedral was began in 1089 and completed (in its current state) in 1450.

I especially wanted to visit the tomb of Robert ‘Curthose’ (nicknamed short-legs by his father, of whom they were not on speaking terms, as a term of derision). He was the eldest son of William the Conqueror but denied the throne twice by his younger brothers.  He spent 26 years in exile and was buried in Gloucester Cathedral.

The tomb was awesome.  Painted marble and the body sculpted in such a unique position – right arm crossing the body, left hand holding a sword at his side and his legs bent and crossed.  Because of his time spent in exile, he likely spoke French (his first language) and Welsh (due to so many years spent imprisoned in Cardiff).

Also buried in the Cathedral is Edward II – the likely reason the Cathedral was not destroyed in the dissolution by Henry VIII.  His tomb is unassuming but obviously royal in custom and design.

Another amazing sight in the cathedral is the ceiling above the choir and alter.  The brilliant stone masons carved amazing ribs and arches which flow from each other in an organic and delicate way belying their stone origin.

Dick Wittington’s Pub

After the Cathedral we headed out to find some lunch.  The rain began heavily however and we had to take cover in the KFC entryway until the worst of it abated and we continued on.  We finally decided on Dick Wittington’s – a pub with a 1800s facade but a 1600s interior.  Very charming.  The food was normal pub quality.  I had Chicken Roquefort (stuffed with cheddar and fig).  The kids shared a chicken sandwich and chips and Sherrie had the ham, eggs, and chips.  I had a pint of the Butcombe Bitter with lunch which was fairly nice – smooth with caramel but a bit light on the body.

We left Gloucester and headed into the Cotswolds.  We drove for Bourton-on-the-Water but I mistakenly set the SatNav and we were back in Cheltenham instead.  20 minutes later we were finally in Bourton-on-the-Water and spent 45 minutes walking the picturesque town.  Since it was already 5:30 in the evening most places were closed or closing.  But the kids fed the ducks and Sherrie poked into some shops.

We returned home to a dinner of French Toast and birthday cake and ice cream!  A great day.