Don't Believe Everything You Read (except this blog, of course)

We went to Bourton on the Water, sister village to Bourton on the Hill. Even on a grey,cool, middle of the week day there were lots of people. Can a village be too charming for it's own good? At the tourist info place we picked up a self guided tour of town and started off.
Up,down and around we went drooling over houses and gardens. We came to Well Cottage, the oldest house in town and this is what our brochure said."In the wall is the figure of a man said to be the Vicar of Lasalle with two small boys. The gruesome story tells how he would have young boys castrated in order that they may sing as high a note as possible in the choir." ( You will see picture of cottage and figure.)
Turning away with a shudder, we stopped to admire the garden of the house across the lane. Out came the owner, Mr Smith, and we struck up a conversation. George mentioned the horror story connected to the cottage next door. Mr. Smith was interested so George read it to him. Mr. Smith laughed heartily. (You will see picture of Mr. Smith laughing heartily.) "What a load of rubbish," said Mr. Smith, "We know the bloke who owned that house. Bit of a poofter, he is. He put that figure up there hisself. It's St. Christopher. Look at the other side of the cottage. He put up one of those iron cross bolts used to hold houses together. He were always doing things like that. Nice bloke. Moved to Devon." Do you suppose that in a little village in Devon white lies are being turned into village fact and history? I hope so.
Later, we stopped at the Rose Tree for lunch. It had been recommended. I read the board at the entrance - Cream teas - and throwing waistline to the winds, that's what I ordered for my lunch. (You will not see a picture of the cream tea) I didn't know it was possible to have a bad cream tea. My Mum sets the standard for cream teas as far as we are concerned but we've had lots that have come very close. This was microwaved scones, packets of diner jam and cream in a little plastic tub with a peel off lid - all in a basket. Had I misread the sign?! To be fair to the Rose Tree, George had a delicious jacket potato with two types of salad. Family history has always been that George orders the disappointing meals. On this trip, things seemed to have changed and I don't like it!