Days 19 20 21 slow train/Cleeve hill/abbeys/pasty

 Day 19 Left Portsmouth Harbour on the 11.08 slow train to Newport, changed there to the Cheltenham train, arriving at 10 to 4. I had a suspicion that I had not told Dave when I changed my travel plans several weeks ago, and my suspicions were confirmed because he wasn’t there to meet me. I waited half an hour before deciding to book into a hotel. I had also made the mistake of not getting his mobile number from his sister Lin because I thought I had it already in one of his FB messages but I hadn’t. 

Anyway the hotel turned out to be really nice, seemed like a 5 star hotel for 3 star prices – the Townhouse. Later in the evening Dave got back from a couple of days away and we FB messaged. He picked me up from the hotel and we enjoyed a lovely meal at the Old Farmers Inn in Bishops Cleeve. We hadn’t seen each other since 1965. Lots of catch up stories to tell. Dave’s been living in Aussie most of his life but recently moved back to the UK and bought a new house. We got along famously. 

Day 20 Dave picked me up when I checked out around 8.30 and we started walking to Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds. We were about a kilometre from the top when the rain came. Dave decided to wait while I continued to the top. At least the rain showers were warm and I didn’t mind getting wet through…I soon dried off on the descent back to his place. At 1pm he drove me on to Minchinhampton, about an hours drive south. Found the rendezvous house but nobody there! They had gone to the station in case I came by train. A few minutes later they turned up, John, Malcolm and the other Dave. This was Dave’ holiday home, very well appointed I might say! We were all at Humphry Davy Grammar School together back in 1963/64. We strolled around this small village, the church was interesting as it lost its spire awhile ago due to decay, so it looked quite an unusual shape. In the evening we went out to dinner at the Ragged Cot, but for once my choice wasn’t that good…the plaice and salad. Lovely old pub though. Everything is so old and historic. 

Day 21 (today) .. About 11 Dave took us on a tiki tour of some of the beautiful churches and abbeys in the area. Cirencester Parish Church was first, once the 2nd biggest / wealthiest parish in all England. There was a service going on in part of the church. Ann Bolyn’s Cup was on display. It was so interesting seeing this historic church, and getting a run-down from one of the stewards. Then we checked out a Roman amphitheatre in Cirencester, and it was fun to imagine being there in Roman times and being a spectator at the entertainment the Romans enjoyed there, whatever that would have been. Then on to Malmesbury Abbey, even older, and reading about the Flying Monk who mastered winged flight way before the Wright Brothers, but crashed off the tower and broke both legs! But he flew 100 metres apparently. 

Lunch was a genuine Cornish pasty…and I shouted myself a mocha having not had much coffee in the last few days….yummy. I’ve just woken from a bit of a siesta (back at Daves) and we are ready to go out to dinner at the Amberley Arms..

The fun continues…..