I have to admit I like England. I enjoy the scale of the country. There is a sense of size that resonates with me. In North America we seem to worship "big". Europe finds beauty in smaller dimensions. This weekend I got to experience again the joys of motoring in England...the narrow twisting country lanes with overhanging trees and stone fences three feet away from the edge of the tarmac.. In the US we would bulldoze a 100 yard wide space and put in a safe, barren and boring freeway. In England, the road twists, turns, has signs that give all kinds of warnings to motorists...but in reality are saying: "Hey, slow down, take a look at the scenery" The house pictured above is by the entrance to Susie's neighbourhood.
If I won the lottery, one of the places I would seriously consider living would be rural England.
Last week I spent a couple of days working at our UK subsidiary, and also had the joy of two relaxing days over a weekend with Susie and Mike.
Susie and Mike live in an area called the Cotswolds. It has the classic roads, beautiful vistas, lovely pubs (all our family has visited one spectacular pub, the Falkland Arms. . http://www.falklandarms.org.uk/
I arrived at Susie's after a very hectic two weeks, of travel and US visitors. I was tired. Very tired. We had a lovely lamb dinner (Susie ALWAYS has lamb for me..I love lamb) and about 9:30pm I said I was tired and went to bed. I made Susie tell me where the keys were as I always wake early and I wanted a run.... Well, at 9:50 AM Saturday I finally tumbled out of bed. Must be the air. I think I slept 30 hours the three nights I was there...
I mentioned above I drove..yes, I had a car. The drive from Cheltenham to Bloxom is about 40 miles. Google maps says it is a one hour drive! I managed it in about 90 minutes. On the way to Susie's I stalled the car three times and missed two turns. (not counting the fair in Chipping Norton that required a diversion) Pictured below is my car for the weekend . Volkswagen, stick shift, right hand drive. OK, now I know how to do it. Next time with Genya navigating, will do better.
I also did a laundry at Susie's.
Some more pictures:
My favorite Bloxom pub- The Red Lion
My friend Phil Davis bringing (and buying) the beer.
Typical Bloxom lane.I have gone to Bloxom with my mother, Genya, all three kids and Diane. Plus many times alone. It feels like a 2nd home. Thanks Susie.
For more about the lovely Cotswold's go to :
PEI is tiny. No super highways here. In fact, we're so tiny we sometimes don't even make it onto a map of Canada!
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