LFMSS UK 2012: Road Warriors

I can't tell you how much I was looking forward to this day. Cycling in the Cotswolds. Even if you don't know anything about southwest England, you have to admit that just sounds good. The Cotswolds are a small area of green rolling hills dotted with little medieval villages lined with tiny stone houses and churches. This area of England was the producer of the best wool in Europe during medieval and renaissance times, making it quite wealthy. But it fell into economic depression in the Industrial Revolution as cotton took over as the new fabric of the masses. So the villages have remained unchanged and are here for us to enjoy today.
Our awesome driver Steve drove us from Stratford Upon Avon (where we are staying) to Bourton on the Water to pick up our bikes. After we all found a bicycle from the mishmash of old bikes at Hartwell's Cycle Hire, we headed out toward the village of Winchcombe where Sudeley Castle is located. According to David at Hartwell's, it would be a pleasant country ride of about 10 miles that should take us about 1 1/2 hours. Now, not everyone is an avid cyclist in the group, and he was aware of that, but he was wrong on the time. The first group to arrive took just under two hours (with several stops to wait to make sure the second group knew where to turn). The last group took three hours... But what is time anyway? An illusion - we only live in the present moment, right? And I can't think of a better way to spend the present moment than going up and down the hills of the Cotswolds, turning corners into sudden little villages with names like Guiting Power and Naunton, and spending time with these wonderful people. It was wonderful!

We also had a treat waiting for us at Sudeley Castle - our first real English Cream Tea. With excellent scones, clotted cream and jam, and of course tea with milk and sugar, we celebrated our long ride, and we also celebrated the birthdays of Nico (18) and Sophie (17) - both born on June 30! We got them cake, but they shared because they were so full of scones by that time.
Afterwards we explored the small part of the castle open to the public - the rest of it is actually lived in by the owners, Lord and Lady Ashcombe, who were having a birthday party for one of their grandchildren today. So three birthdays today!

The Mousetrap Inn in Bourton on the Water. One of the characteristic B&B's of the Cotswolds that would be nice to stay in (if you didn't have 20 kids with you).

One of the crossroads on the ride - we would always stop and make sure the group behind knew which way to turn.

Why I loved this day.

Zach at the crest of one of the hills we climbed today. He's a very quick cyclist!

These cows rushed towards us when we stopped - they must have thought we had something good..

... but now they seem to backing away for some reason.

Partway down a long, windy and steep hill that led us to Winchcombe which you can see in the distance.

At the front of Sudeley Castle, the house of Henry VIII's last wife (and the only one who outlived him) Katherine Parr.

Nico makes friends easily. Especially with inanimate objects.

My Henry VIII impression fails on many levels - the ipod headphones, cheap wrist watch, and hiking shoes to begin with.

Lady Christine

Lady Lexi

Henry, not looking to good.

The Dutch king looks like he's been eating at Henry's table.

One of the more recent owners of Sudeley Castle, Lady Dent-Brockelhurst, sculpted in the Greek style.

Lord Ashcombe, current owner of the castle, with his pet badger. There's actually a whole display about this badger in the museum. He really, really liked the badger.