To Nuneaton and then into the Cotswalds

Day 9, Sunday 19 August

Nuneaton

An easy drive along the M6 direction towards Manchester to get to our first destination – Nuneaton, a must see for Bernie as his great-great-great grandfather came from there as a brick maker in 1859 to establish brickworks with one of his brothers in Dandenong. Nuneaton did not look a thriving place and after a stroll around and some time spent looking at family records at the local library it was time to head into the Cotwalds and the land of strange place names.

Nuneaton, all dressed up but still looking very tired!

Bernie checking on some family history at the Nuneaton library.

Chipping Campden 

The ancient mediaeval wool town town of Chipping Campden has many beautiful buildings. It is a long almost single streeted town nestling in tranquil and beautiful countryside. The buildings provide a plethora of architectural styles across the centuries and the town is considered an area of outstanding natural beauty and a conservation area.
Chipping Campden’s long held traditions from centuries past still live on and include local craftsmen such as Potters, Stonecarvers, Jewellers, Silver & Goldsmiths, Art & Craft.

Morton-in-Marsh

Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire is one of the principal market towns in the northern Cotswolds. It grew up in the thirteenth century as a market town with a wide main street, and narrow back lanes. Today it is still a very cute little town but, regrettably a retailers heaven.

Upper and Lower Slaughter

Both are great little towns but packed out today so it was a drive through each and the promise to wander back when there are fewer people around.

Bourton-On-The-Water

My favourite so far! The prettiest villages in England, Bourton-on-the-Water has more than its share of Cotswold mansions or manor houses as they like to call them here; houses and cottages, many of them three hundred years to four hundred years old. Today being a hot day (28C) the water in the stream running through town was acting as the local swimming pool. Children and dogs alike were frolicking (not playing) in the water like they had never seen water before. Others were picnicking on the banks of the stream. The overall impression is of a soft and gentle place, a place where people stroll and never run.

Bibury

Now to begin to describe Bibury pronounced Bi (as in bi- centennial), - bury; is a challenge with words or with pictures, because there is so much more to the experience than these two dimensions allow. Bibury is a sensual experience; it smells of summer sweetness, lightly mingled with ripening hay and overtones of animal (no I am not describing a wine). Bibury sounds gentle; a mixture of the melody of the River Coin; harmonised with bird calls, (even pigeons, which I generally refer to as flying rats), sound right with the other sounds of this gorgeous spot. I am expecting to hear frogs and owls and other night creatures from our garret accommodation. It looks at peace with itself. Today possibly saw Bibury at its best a lazy summers afternoon, when we were able to wander among the honey coloured Costwold stone buildings, stroll along the walkways beside the river.
The River Coln flows through Bibury sandwiched between the main village street and an expanse of boggy water meadow known as Rack Isle. With Arlington Row of weaver’s cottages as a backdrop, it makes one of the most picturesque scenes in the Cotswolds. I am trying to convince Bernie that we need more than two nights here to absorb the serenity. I know I am unwinding because today I didn’t wear my watch, which is unheard of in Melbourne.
I think that this is as close as you can get to the perfect Cotswold experience.

The Arlington Row of cottages

The Swan Hotel is where we are staying in Bibury.