Whohooo…we are finally here!!!  It doesn’t get better than this!  When I was a kid, my teachers called me a dreamer.  I think the actual headmistress who said this meant it in a derogatory way, but I say, “Dream your dreams and then maybe one day you actually get to live them.”  So another adventure begins…

Compared to our usual travel to Nairobi, the flight from LAX to London seemed fairly short…11 hours.  We spent the first night in London arranging and rearranging luggage and belongings to narrow our things down to two light bags for the next two weeks, leaving the others behind at our hotel to pick up when we pass through on our way to Africa in 10 short days.  In the meantime, our goal is to hike The Cotswold Way, 105 miles from Chipping Campden to Bath, England.

First thing we noticed when we got here is that springtime is definitely late in coming this year.  Everyone agrees and even tells us that it snowed just a few weeks ago. It’s very cold and windy, but thankfully, no rain.   Amy mentioned last minute that I might want to take my long silk undies and am I ever glad.  I’ve had them on ever since we got here!

This morning we had our first adventure getting the train from London to Slough, then changing trains to get to the little village of Moreton-on-Marsh, where because it’s Sunday and no bus service, we took a short taxi ride to the nearby village where the Cotswold Way begins, Chipping Campden.  All went well and it was so fun to be traveling on a Sunday.  There were so many Englishmen traveling to see Mum (so various overheard conversations on cells told me) or groups with rucksacks (backpacks) and walking sticks going to walk one of the many footpaths England has to offer.  I felt so at home!

So, so far so good.  Zoe in our little B&B that has only two rooms greeted us by name, introduced us to the “snuggly room,” and  gave us a map of town, which we walked in about 10 minutes.  We did find the signs pointing out the Cotswold Way, so we are reassured that we’re in the right place.  She asked us if we’d like to have the full English breakfast of sausages, eggs, baked beans, yogurt, fruit, pastries, and bacon before starting out tomorrow morning.  I’m so hoping that includes a cup of coffee, too!  Headed off to bed as Roger is insistent we get on the road by 8:00 for our 10 mile trek to our next stop.

Railway Station

Our First Night’s Stay

Greeted by flowers in our room

St. John’s Church – Where The Walk begins

Cold, but VERY happy!

Secret gardens are everywhere!