We took a morning walk on one of my favorite footpaths that passes through neighboring village, Achurch, crossing the River Nene to the next village, Wadenhoe. This was the first time of the season that we saw the cattle out in the fields but thought nothing of them as they just stayed along the river's edge watching us cross the field and go up over the bridge.
Ten minutes later, another woman and her darting-through-the-field whippet were not so lucky. Seriously I wish I had video, we watched this woman's walk quickly turn to a mad dash for her life while keeping her eyes on the cattle charging at her and her poor clueless dog. Thankfully they were able to make it through the footpath gate before the cattle reached them. Stunned by what we witnessed, we thought better of walking the other (5 mile longer) route home and instead just gave the pregnant lady a good head start through the scary cattle field :) Scary cattle pictured in the photos below.
While Marco had to work one afternoon, the girls and I decided to head to Cambridge for some punting and shopping. With our many trips to Cambridge, Marco and I had yet to go punting.
Brooke and I loaded up on some BYOB at a Cambridge wine shop, Abigail picked up a European hot chocolate, and we hopped on a punt. Since it was a weekday, we were lucky enough to have a private punt and guide.
Many of the Colleges within the University of Cambridge are closed to tourists (or charge a hefty tour fee) so you rarely get a peek into their stunning historic quads and grounds. But the way they are situated, backing up to the public property of the River Cam, punting is the best way to see the Colleges - as well as learn a thing or two from a charming and knowledgeable tour guide!
We learned about the history of the University, the architecture, notable scholars and famous alumni, deeply routed rivalries between the Colleges , and silly anecdotes aplenty. Apparently Prince Charles' bodyguard sat for final exams along with Charles and scored higher. Magdalene College was the last to admit women, holding out until 1988 and it was still protested by male students! King's College Chapel of King's College has become a climber's goal and the stories and legends go on. Traffic cones and Santa hats have been placed on the four spires. It is said that Trinity College is England's third or fourth wealthiest land owner and one could walk from Cambridge to Oxford solely on land owned by Trinity.
Our day in the Cotswolds was spent driving through or stopping and wandering it's picturesque villages. Henry joined us on the day trip adventure and learned that swans can be vicious.
It was a day filled of playing my favorite game of home envy with two girls that happen to appreciate the pastime as much as I do. It was a typical chilly stop-at-a-boutique-and-purchase-some-tights English day and some of the first few villages we stopped through were littered with geriatric filled tour buses. But as the day went on the sun came out and each sleepy village we stumbled upon was prettier than the last.
We pub lunched, asked Marco to take photos of us girls with stunning movie worthy backdrops, and chatted about what stars have homes in what villages. We ended the day at a riverside pub frequented by a few footballers that Marco, Brooke, and Ab are on first name basis with and then the rest of the car indulged me with a stop through Little Farrington where were found the church that Kate Moss and Jamie Hince got married. (I may or may not be an expert on the VOGUE spread of that wedding.)
We ended their trip with a nice meal out at our favorite local pub, The King's Head in Wadenhoe, and a pint in the pub's garden.
Ladies, a big THANK YOU for coming to see The Westbrook's in our new little countryside life. We miss you both so much, it was so special to show you around our favorite haunts. May your 20 questions continue in email form until we see you when we visit the states in the fall. xo
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