Picture perfect Cotswolds!

Tuesday
Had a great day today exploring the picturesque Cotswold villages of Broadway and Chipping Campden. I had hoped to see Chipping Campden last year after visiting Hidcote Manor with my sister. Unfortunately, it started to pour with rain as we left Hidcote, so we only got to see Chipping Campden from the car! Today, however, the weather was more cooperative, with some nice sunny spells in the afternoon. We began in Broadway, then moved on to Chipping Campden, having a lovely lunch there. "Chipping" means market or market place from the old English "Ceping", and Chipping Campden was one of the most important of the medieval wool towns and famous throughout Europe. This legacy of fame and prosperity is what gives the town its character. The church of St. James is a fine example of what is known as "wool gothic", having been built with money from the prosperous wool industry. The village also has a wonderful stone market hall, and, as you can see from my blip, a number of beautiful thatched cottages. To round off the day, my sister cooked us a lovely roast chicken dinner, and we were joined by my nephew Andrew. Following the meal, we all had a game of Boggle, with our daughter thrashing us as usual!