Cotswolds Drive (8 June 2003)

We started with 4 cars at Oxford services, but were soon down to 3 when Jason & Nicole were called away unexpectedly. That left Dennis, Kirk & Sherry and myself. I had taken the route from a book I'd bought quite a few years ago, but without a navigator, following it wasn't as easy as I'd hoped! On several occasions we found ourselves going round in large circles in the Cotswolds countryside.

The weather in the morning was a bit iffy, but we still had the tops down. We stopped in Burford for a look round and then it began to rain, so we decided now was a good time for lunch. The food at the Mermaid on the High Street was excellent, and by the time we left, the sun was shining!

We then continued our journey around the pretty towns and villages that the area is famous for. At times I was glad that there were only 3 cars, as the roads are extremely narrow and we had to give way to cars coming in the opposite direction on a number of occasions.

Later, we stopped for a drink in Painswick, having found other more rural pubs closed for the afternoon (I think I've go too used to the pubs in London being open all day). Unfortunately, none of us had our cameras with us, so you'll just have to use your imagination.

Bob Pain