Open Fields

We left Broadway at 7 AM and arrived in Winchcombe 10 1/2 miles and 4 hours, 15 minutes later. We’ll remember the horses and hills. cows, sheep, and many lambs.

Horse fashion:

You wouldn’t see this sign anywhere we’ve ever lived:

We encountered some confusing Cotswold Way signage. Every time we stopped to figure out where to go, someone knowledgeable would happen along.

Here’s Caroline, a 30-year resident, who says the rural life suits, in part because she and her husband chose a location that’s remote yet convenient enough for him to commute to London by train, 90 minutes.

She described her life as “gentle living.”

A few minutes in the woods.

Walking through open fields can be a bit challenging because the earth is so variable your footfalls are often unpredictable. It can feel unsteady. I’m glad we trained on hills and trails.

There are fences between fields and several different gate and stile styles. Today, we found a few with no latch at all - only steps to climb over with a little gate for dogs. (And dogs are everywhere.)

All in all, a blissful walk. Even so, we were happy to get to Winchcombe and sit down.

Bonus! Photos of homes in picturesque Stanton: