Cloud 9: Day trip to Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Email from the day before...

Don't feel like driving again tomorrow so I'm thinking of taking a bus to Cheltenham. Might have to miss breakfast though. Public transportation around here is not so great. There is one bus coming back in the afternoon around 4:00.

Still thinking of going up to Chipping Campden for a few days. If so, I'll probably want to head up early Thursday to avoid traffic.

Today was warm - when the sun was out. Depending on the weather, I might not stay as long in the Cotswolds as I thought. Then will probably take the car back to Oxford, where I understand I can get to Plymouth by train.

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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

It seemed to be one day on, one day off with the weather. This was an off day.

I did catch the bus to Cheltenham, also known as Cheltenham Spa, population about 110,000. It's located 22.5 miles west/northwest of Burford. In trying to figure out how to pronounce the name (cheesy, funny video to the tune of Downtown at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci7bpYPd6Tg), my best guess is that the last two syllables are slurred together to sound something like Cheltnum.

I was glad to not have to bother with parking.

There is a treed promenade with lots of shops. I did very little shopping in England because I didn't have the money or the luggage space.

First thing's first - here's a bakery. If I known there was more than one sandwich on the tea tray, I wouldn't have got all the same kind.

How do they get that consistency/texture to their scones? I enjoyed listening to the refined English accents of some teenage girls who were sitting at a corner table.

Now for a little walk around town

I don't remember why I chose to go to Cheltenham - maybe it was just to see a larger town in the Cotswolds. Frankly, I didn't know much about the place. It's known for its steeplechase racecourse but this didn't seem like a good day to go there.

Municipal offices.

Another statue, this one for Dr. Edward Adrian Wilson. Plaque reads, in part: 1872 - 1912. One of Cheltenham's most famous sons. A doctor, scientist, naturalist and artist, he was a leading member of Captain Robert Scott's two Antarctic Expeditions.

The Neptune Fountain. 'Built of Portland Stone in 1893'. Portland stone, Portland cement - where/what is this Portland we always hear about?

Towns ought to have their fountains in working order, otherwise they look derelict. Our fountain in front of the parliament buildings has a big hole it in.

I love a coloured door. I was also discovering that I quite liked the regency style of architecture.

A walk to Pittville Park

A Bentley? There was a flat, winged logo on the hood, with possibly a B in the middle. Somewhere around here was a cafe and I was surprised to see someone with a cup of coffee or tea sitting outside reading the paper. From then on I was amazed that how, even in the most out of way places, there always seemed to be a nice cafe or tea room. You never have to go hungry in England. I think it is more civilized than Canada in that respect. Not so good with heating though.

Scenes along the way. Bridge in Pittville Park, above on lower right.

Pittville Pump Room, whatever that is.

I'm sure it would be a different experience to wander around here on a sunny day.

It was pouring rain.

Inside looked nice. Some people were milling about - functions go on there, so I didn't go in.

Back in town

Stroud! It's only about 13 miles away. Mackwood's second wife and several in her family spent some time in Stroud. It might have been worth having a look around had I been prepared.