Or is it Provence?
These two lovely photographs of Snowshill lavender and cottages in Stanway were provided by Janet Lorenz, one of the group participants. She has many more great pics on her Flickr photo stream.
Susan Maguire led the tour for us - here is her blog.
How lucky this group was, walking in the N Cotswold and missing every shower of rain, while they were walking!
On the first walk from the Cotswold village of Blockley, to the tiny hamlet of Ebrington, the mid-point of this walk, the clouds scudded about teasing us, but the air was warm and we remained dry. The group enjoyed the varied rural countryside and managed to reach the lunch spot under the trees for their well earned break. The group found the afternoon section of the walk relaxing and interesting as we passed Hidcote Manor Gardens,( which some guests later returned to, on their rest day), on our way back to Mickleton.
Walking through the Slaughters, the following day, the urge to purchase an ice-cream couldn’t be ignored, local Cotswold ice-cream, delicious! Lunch that day was within the church at Naunton as the shower of rain decided to arrive. Still this gave us time to contemplate.
Stanton, and Stanway, fascinating places, cameras constantly clicking as we walked. Having climbed the hill to the beautiful and far reaching views near Stumps Cross we followed the Cotswold Way to the planned lunch spot where the wind nearly blew us over. Luckily in the valley below, a sheltered sunny spot was found for the delicious lunch and a spot of relaxing. When the sun disappeared we moved on, but stopped again to sample the fruit drinks at Hailes farm cafe. Onward to Winchcombe and time for exploring.
After the rest day, the group were raring to go, visiting several pretty Cotswold villages en route, but settling on one with an attractive pub for a prolonged stop. Following the stop, the pace predictably slowed to reach Broadway with just enough time for further exploring and more cups of tea.
The final day, and the highest climb of the week, to Broadway Tower, every-one made it. Again following the Cotswold Way, lunch with a view from Dovers Hill, where some of the group were almost asleep in the sunshine. Down to Chipping Campden where there had been a request for time to explore but I think the only exploring was to the cafes or, as in one guest, a bench for a snooze.
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