Chipping Campden to Canada

We walked over to Chipping Campden the other day and although we have been there before we took a different path into town and came by the ruins of the big manor house. Poor old Sir Baptist Hicks. He had done very well in the wool trade and built himself the most modern house going. During the civil war in the 1640's, he was a staunch Royalist allowing the King's troops to be billeted in his house. When things went badly for the Royalists and they were forced to retreat, they burnt his house to the ground rather than let it fall into enemy hands. There's gratitude for you!

We discovered a lovely, little memorial garden to the memory of Ernest "Chinese" Wilson. He was a botanist sent by his company to collect seeds and plants from China in the early 1900's. He had quite the adventures and introduced many plants to Britain and North America. The Handkerchief tree was blooming as was the Wilson's magnolia. He and his wife were killed in a car accident in 1930 and buried in Montreal.

We were carrying the house key and when the Grahams went home before us, we stayed around to hear a concert in the church. We planned to take the next bus home, no problem. Thing is, the next bus wasn't running so we grabbed a passing cab and got ourselves ripped off for 13 pounds ($20.00) for a 2 1/2 mile ride. Talk about a pair of suckers!

Longborough village opened their gardens today in aid of the church roof fund. The gardens are so inspiring and both couples came away excited about garden plans for their yards in High River. It's never going to happen but it's fun while it lasts! Our little Rosemary Cottage is putting on a display as well.

Here are a few pictures from the things we've done. We've found our dream cars.