Plymouth, lower left
Heading out toward the long driveway at Charingworth Manor
Wouldn't you know - on the day I leave the Cotswolds the sky would be clear, and then I'd drive through Moreton-in-Marsh right past the small Wellington Aviation Museum when it was closed.
Also drove through Chipping Norton. Chipping means 'market' the nice man told me at Hidcote Garden yesterday. In that case, hundreds of places in England probably could have been called Chipping something.
Getting to Oxford is easier than finding Chipping Campden, but still I came to a roundabout where it wasn't shown. I'm learning that the thing to do is turn around because often there will be different signs from a different direction. So, before long I was in familiar territory, driving through Woodstock, past the gate to Blenheim Palace and into - big sigh of relief - Summertown. From there it was a painless drive through Oxford to the car rental office just past the train station.
There. I drove in England without incident... and that was the end of my driving there. Actually, driving on the left and using a left-handed gear shift didn't bother me. More, it was the roundabouts and the drivers going hell bent for leather.
I only filled the tank once.
There was lots of time to get from the car rental office to the train station. I was able to take an earlier train to Reading, which gave more time to connect to the longer trip (with reserved seat) to Plymouth. Left Oxford at 11:30 and arrived in Plymouth sometime after 3:00, I believe.
The luggage situation on the trains is a mess. I think they should have a luggage car and let you check your suitcase. On busy trains, people try to cram their cases in the small spaces by the doors, or take them to their seats. I overheard one lady say that in the summer the aisles are lined with luggage so it's difficult to get through.
In Plymouth I caught a taxi with a Polish driver who sounded English. Cost only about £6 from the train station to the hotel, the Bowling Green.
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