Monday, December 12, 2011

England/Wales To Cotswolds & Home Oct 3-4, 2011

October 3  to Fifield


On the Severn Bridge, M48 heading East towards the Cotswalds 


We attempt a visit to Chedworth Roman Villa but it is closed Monday - saw this view on the way


Looks like Charles visited Northleach Church


It has some nice sanctuary burial stones with original bronzes


Inscription on one of the burials in the church 


Has a new stained glass window


Main reason to stop here is Keith Hardings World of Mechanical Music where we take a tour


Dinner at Bedford before heading to our B & B in Fifield

October 4  to Heathrow


We have a little time so we do a little walk in tiny Fifield


Our host mentions that there are a lot of Matthews around, including in the graveyard


In the church were many flower arrangements, our host was responsible for some of the arranging


Take a very short hike, another interesting gate opener


We weren't able to go far, need to head for Heathrow


The Merryfield B & B - note American Flag...  I think they have a collection of flags depending who is visiting


Nice accommodations


Heading into cloudy weather 

Our approximate driving route in England superimposed on Washington & Northern Oregon


In 24 days, we drove 1900 miles: Start at Heathrow (Fossil, OR), on up to Hadrians Wall (Bellingham, WA), down to Porthcawl (South of Salem, OR), and back to Heathrow.

Our return flight went well, but we suspected that the Knox family might be returning to Seattle with Amanda (who had been imprisoned for four years in Italy) on our plane.  After landing we couldn't unfasten our seatbelts until a group from the back of the plane were escorted out to be "checked by immigration".  Amanda and close family members were upstairs and exited at the same time.


After we got home that evening this was confirmed by seeing our flight (BA0049) on TV as they replayed the landing and taxing.  (I did edit the screen shot a little!)