Early start from Mrs Shanks with many protestations of gratitude, and
a great feeling of relief. We went straight for Malmesbury to the first
bank we could find to get some cash. We also needed a new map, but couldn't
find what we wanted in this nice little town. From Malmesbury we went on
to Cirencester, the next town of any size to sell maps, where we decided
to stay the night, and found a B&B through the Tourist Office. On our
way there, we passed an old abandoned airfield where two men were flying
a model aeroplane.
Cirencester is the same as the old Roman town Cirinium, and many relics,
including some fine mosaic floors have been found in the city, all exhibited
in the Cirinium Museum which we had just time to see before it closed for
the day. Our B&B was a small guest house, very professionally run whithout
too many frills.
Cirencester to Chipping Campden
Tuesday 29 July 1997
Starting out from Cirencester, we soon passed a sign to the Roman villa
at Chedworth which we made a detour to see. This was very interesting,
the foundations and some of the mosaic floors and heating systems and baths,
all very advanced, had been excavated, so that an impression of a large,
well-functioning dwelling was made.
After Chedworth we really got into hilly country, long steep hills,
one after another, so that by the time we reached Chipping Campden (recommended
by the landlady in Cirencester), we were ready to stop. Very hot too, though
with a good breeze. Again, they were helpful at the Tourist Office and
found us a B&B at Broad Campden, about a mile away, a nice place where
we met two American couples doing England in rented cars. They had booked
in advance on the recommendations of the same American travel book, which
is why they met at "Wyldlands", a B&B recommended in the book.
Chipping Campden itself was a most beautiful small town with street
after street of old houses. One of the most charming places we have been
to, and not too touristy..