Edgier

Wednesday, June 16

Here came another jaunt around the Cotswolds, which name means an elevated, open place with stone sheep shelters. This day began with a stop to pick strawberries at Hidcote Boyce.

From there, we wound our way through Chipping Campden. “Chipping” denotes shopping, a little of which we did.

Our picnic lunch overlooked a gorgeous emerald view at the base of Broadway Tower, a folly (misunderstood building) from 1800 on a 1023-foot summit.

Our way continued through Snowshill before we took a hike to the site of an ancient village called Pinnock. The trail was low and dark between hedges, and we found possible earthworks and a deep wood.

These were some beeches!

After a pause at Farmcote’s Herb Farm, which specializes in chillis of all kinds, we took a gander at just-closed Sudeley Castle near Winchcombe. Being unfortified, it looked more like a palace to me. Here lived and died Catherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII.

Through town and a bit southwest, we strode up a fair slope to Belas Knap, a restored long barrow burial mound from 2500 BC. This is the oldest human construction I’ve ever beheld.

The vibes were amazing. I began to chant Meredith Monk’s Dolmen Music. Several small chambers opened up on both sides of the oval-shaped heap.

Returning to Broadway, I sipped while the ladies spent.

Supper was a tasty smoked haddock, boiled egg, and rice dish at the house of Lou’s cousin Chris and his lovely wife, Sara. Our strawberries and some rare cheeses rounded out the fine repast and great day.