9/19 Meeting up with Ed and Michelle

Most people that we saw enjoying the complimentary breakfast this morning seemed to be hikers, bikers or outdoor enthusiasts. We are in the right place!😁. Our breakfast was hearty …Tim got the Full English breakfast and I got shakshuka. Of course, we also had to share a chocolate croissant! 😋

The weather seemed cool and the skies overcast, so we put on some layers and set out to explore. Without even looking for a footpath, we discovered a trail that seemed to be well traveled.  We followed the trail…past the community garden, through empty fields,  navigating the various gates to keep livestock in place (13 to be exact) all the way to a beautiful, well kept arboretum and garden centre.  

The Batsford Arboretum is a 60 acre garden with many Asian garden features , plants and architecture. 

It was exciting to get a text from Ed (my brother) and Michelle letting us know that they would soon be arriving at the train station in Moreton-in Marsh.  We found a beer garden to celebrate the start of our long planned hiking vacation in the Cotswolds. 

We love hanging with Ed and Michelle and are thrilled to be starting our hike tomorrow with them. 

We decided on a dinner this evening at a very local pub. 

We started off with gin and tonics made with Cotswold gin and a twist of grapefruit. (Gin & tonic hold special memories for all of us.) 

The menu was quite basic and included very traditional British dishes.  We finished everything!