A soft landing

brilliant sun, warm, temps 20

Exquisite - the only way to describe the Cotswolds....as you might be able to tell, we aren't in Canada any more. Flew overnight Monday on BA - after some pleading, and a little bit of money (but not much) they upgraded Michael and me to Business class. Which meant we could wait in the first class lounge (flight delayed an hour, so left at 10pm) and had lovely meal on plane then, luxury of luxuries, a lie flat bed! Both of us actually slept on the flight. Arrived at 10am London time were met by a driver and brought to the Burford House Hotel, in (yes) Burford.

It's been such a busy time - and all the angst over the CanLit Hunger Games! - it felt a little like being shot out of a cannon and landing in the Cotswolds. Our first time to this part of Britain. My secret dream since I was in my 20s is to have a small cottage in one of the cotswold villages, and a flat in London.

But - to be honest - we love our home in Quebec so much, we'd never really do it....but it feels a little as though another childhood dream has come true (the first and cardinal dream was to be a writer)....here we are in a beautiful little Inn in a village - then on Friday we head to London for a month.

You can see photos we've taken just in the day we've been here...funny, askew homes and businesses made of stone, with slate roofs. for breakfast today Michael had the Full English (two eggs, bacon, sausage, grilled mushrooms and tomato. I had my favorite english breakfast of all time - which is increasingly difficult to find...finnan haddie - poached smoked haddock. Had cotswold honey with our toast...made from late flowering edlerflower, lime, blackberry, clover. Yum! Then we walked the old streets - went into the oldest pharmacy in England and bought some lotion created by the family more than 100 years ago and still made on site. We had tea in the little tea room across the street and now we're off to explore the local church. Indeed, I think one of the comments on the Facebook page said her ancestors helped build part of the church.

So great to have you with us.

dinner tonight is in the pub just up the road. Early dinner, since jetlag is still an issue.

The photo is of Burford High Street, looking out across the hills - and the afternoon tea Michael and I had yesterday in the hotel...it suddenly reminded me a little of olivier's bistro....there was a small stone fireplace on one wall, and the mullion windows.

Tomorrow we're traveling to the nearby village of Abingdon, to visit an old friend. Dick. He's become our friend, but certainly started out as Michael's, from his days in Cambridge, almost 60 years ago. They've remained good friends ever since. Remarkable. Dick's showing us around his new place then coming back for dinner at the Inn tomorrow night.
then, London on Friday.

Hope you packed light - we now have cotswold honey and vials of handmade lotion! But so far, haven't bought a cottage. Who knows what this afternoon will bring!

Will keep you posted. Oh, the village has a bookstore! Went in and introduced myself and did the 'author' thing. always fun.