A local Cotswold guide, Steve Roth, who was well worth the money, gave us all the insight, stories and lowdown on what really went on in the Cotswolds in the past (some of it not very nice), along with dry stone walls and the wealth derived from sheep.

After a coffee, sticky bun and a tour of Arlington row at Bibury it was on to Bourton on the Water and its wonderful bridges.  Choices of lunch varied from a long lunch in one of the Cotswold pubs to a pasty from the expensive baker’s shop but all was good.

Coming home, the climb up the Cotswold escarpment was up the notorious but impressive Crickley Hill to Birdlip with great views which will soon become one of Britain’s biggest road works.