Cotswolds and Slaughters

We spent the day driving around the Cotswolds. The Cotswolds have some funny town names like Lower Slaughter, Upper Slaughter and Stow on the Wold. My favourite was Bourton on the Water where we fed the ducks and dad and I had a look inside a toy shop. Dad and I even found a toilet where you have to pay 20p for a pee. At Lower Slaughter, we met a dog named Harry. He's a Jack Russell Terrier. Harry was deaf, had a bad leg and was 14 (about 98 in dog years). This photo was at Lower Slaughter. Then we went to Broadway (not Broadway where all the musicals are) where we had afternoon tea and went to the shops. I bought a Horrible Histories official annual 2014 and a pack of Horrible Histories playing cards for 13.98 with the pounds Nanna and Brenton gave me for my birthday. Here's two jokes from the book: Q. What did the Pharoah say when he saw the pyramid? A.Mummy's home.
Q. Why was King Alfred called the Great? A. Because Alfred the Blooming Marvellous would have sounded silly.
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Hi it's Riley's Mum here. He's gone to get dressed so I've jumped on his blog!
We are having a wonderful time. It was so exciting flying into London on Monday. As the plane broke through the clouds we suddenly saw all those famous buildings. I think the first thing I noticed was the London Eye - can't believe the size of it. Will have to ride it when we get to London. Riley was pointing out all the sites and was so excited to see Hampton Court outside London. He can't wait to get there - the home of his hero Henry VIII.
I am absolutely loving the Cotswolds. It's so much more beautiful than I ever imagined. It's my kind of place! We saw so many gorgeous villages yesterday that I can't decide which one is my favourite. Some of the picks are the ones Riley mentioned  - Upper and Lower Slaughter (Lower is best of the two), Broadway, Stow on the Wold, Burford, Bourton on the Water (which is the most popular with tourists). The size of the villages has surprised me as I didn't realise they would be all so different and so extensive. They must have really strict building codes as even the newest buildings are all built in the theme and of the Cotswold yellow-tinged stone. I feel like I'm on the set of "Escape to the Country'' or "Midsomer Murders''. I expect Insp Barnaby to come round a corner in one of the villages!
We've also decided that if you live in the Cotswolds you have to own at least one dog. Non-dog lovers must be drummed out! All the locals are out walking their dogs (often two of the same breed). The most popular seems to be West highland terriers. All the cafes and restaurants welcome dogs and they sit under the tables. They all seem to be so well behaved - not like our Rex! We haven't seen a dog snarl at another dog in the street. How do they do it?? We are missing our Rex and hope he is doing OK with the housesitters.
The Cotswolds countryside looks very similar to Oz, particularly like Tassie. But the roads are so much narrower. Can't imagine what happens when you have to share the road with a lorry (oh no, I'm starting to talk like a local!) We took some gorgeous roads yesterday that were lined by magnificent old trees. Some parts of the road were like travelling through a tunnel of greenery. We all broke into the first verse of "My Country'' in the car yesterday; "A love of field and coppice, of green and shaded lanes, of ordered woods and gardens is running in your veins (blah blah blah) . . . I know but cannot share it, my love is otherwise.'' But unlike Dorothea Mackellar I think I'll be leaving my heart in the Cotswolds.
Love to all - don't forget to send a comment to Riley on the blog - he's dying to hear from you! XXX