Friday 13th
Not an auspicious day, nothing untoward happened. I set off with Maggi and dropped her at Pinner Station. She headed to town for a haircut while I drove to Coleshill for a walking weekend with Matt, Mark and Mike.
I dropped my car at Matt’s house and he drove to Stow-on-the-Wold where we had booked an expensive AirbnB. As we arrived in Well Lane we encountered Mark also looking for our accommodation. We parked up unloaded our bags and toddled over to the nearest pub for a bite to eat and a few drinks. The Porch House, however, had no snacks food so we walked around the corner to the Kings Arms. After ordering a panini each and a pint Mike turned up and immediately started on about the Israeli Palestinian conflict. We soon moved on to more cheerful matters.
After two pints in the Kings Arms I left them to continue their session. I had a short walk around the town of Stow and visited St Edwards Church which dates back to the 12th Century.
From here I returned to our home for two nights and had a siesta. Matt was the next back around 5 saying he’d had enough to drink. Finally Mark and Mike showed up at 6:45 seemingly none the worse from their five hours of drinking.
It wasn’t long before we left again and walked the short distance to the Prince of India for a curry. A busy restaurant always a good sign and the friendly waiter made it an enjoyable meal. I had a vegetarian koari. It tasted very nice and I’ve had no adverse reaction.
Mark wanted to return home immediately afterwards the others hung around in the restaurant and I walked around the small market town. When I came in it surprised me that everyone had gone to bed and it wasn’t quite 10 o’clock. I read for a bit and then turned light out.
Saturday 14th
Today we walked, but before we set off Mark and I had a quick look around Stow. Me for the second time and I returned to St Edward’s, but this time we went around to the north side to see the door that rumour has it inspired Tolkien in his Lord of the Rings trilogy.
These two yew trees flank the 300 year old door and give it a mystical feel.
We ate breakfast at the nearby Hive cafe and then began our trek guide by Matt. The 12 mile walk started in Stow and included several ancient churches woodland, some steep hills and many large properties.
The local and ancient churches visited included the 15th Century St Mary’s The Virgin in Icomp.
The 12th Century St Leonard’s Parish church in Bledington.
Our last church visit featured St Nicholas in Oddington, another 12 Century Grade I listed property.
The directions for the walk claimed it consisted of well maintained paths, much of which meant walking on very minor roads as well as footpaths, but on one section we had to tramp through mud and water. However altogether we had a good day’s exercise with some enjoyable views and interesting company. Although I did notice that Mike never actually walked with me throughout the whole journey.
We returned to our very cramped accommodation for 4 pm to watch Wales lose to Argentina. We then broke to buy fish and chips and wine before we came back to see New Zealand beat Ireland. I sent a message of condolence to Sean. At the end we all retired to bed.
Sunday 15th
Mark left before breakfast as he claimed that he had to pick up Fiona from the airport. She didn’t;t arrive until after 5 so I don’t know why the rush. We had breakfast in a different cafe and then headed home. I spent the afternoon messing around and then watched the last two quarterfinals between England and Fuji that England scrapped through and the final absorbing game between France and South Africa which the southern hemisphere team won by one point. On the evidence of these two games England have no chance against the RSA.