The English Countryside – Cotswolds

I discovered today that not all grass in England is flat, smooth, and short like I previously believed. In fact, a very large portion of the grass in England is thick, hilly, and filled with ridges, stones, and sheep droppings. Today, we traveled to the English country villages (Cotswolds) and the English countryside. It was breath-taking! I felt as if I had walked right into a Jane Austen novel. There were rolling hills, wooden fences, herds of sheep, ripening crops, gentle streams, and numerous trees and wildflowers. It was the landscape that I have always dreamed about.
We began our tour of the country at the original site of Abingdon Abbey. This famous abbey was actually dismantled by King Henry VIII in the 16th century in order to make profit for the royal family and decrease the number of Catholic churches in England. This process was known as the “Dissolution of the Monasteries.” The money from the monasteries went directly to Henry’s treasure hoard, while the stones and brick of the monasteries were used as supplies for other buildings. Although nothing now remains of the actual abbey, we were able to see the outline of the building traced by bricks around a large grass field. The grounds of Abingdon are now used as public parks and recreation areas. There is even a children’s water park. I found the place to be hauntingly peaceful. Even with the sounds of children laughing and playing in the background, the abbey grounds have retained a serene atmosphere. It’s like a piece of history that will never fade. I seem to feel that way about much of England—like there is a history hiding in everything. I am always wondering who walked here before me, what was their story, and what did they accomplish with their lives? I suppose a person does not have to be in England to appreciate history. There are stories from every location—people have laughed, cried, loved, and hated since the beginning of time. People have run up against obstacles, fought with endurance, and come out successful. They, in their own way, have made history.
I’d like to encourage you to discover a piece of the history that surrounds you. Even if it is simply the story of your family, take time to appreciate what you have learned from the past. And don’t ever forget, that no matter where you are and who you are, you are writing your own history.

At the conclusion of our abbey tour, we walked around the country towns in the area. Everybody and everything seemed so quaint and friendly. It reminded me of a small American farming town. I even bought a piece of fruit at a little shop where we stopped to purchase water.
After exploring the villages, it was soon time for my favorite part of the journey—the hike. Our bus dropped us off at the trailhead and we entered the fields. I felt exactly like Elizabeth Bennet on my way to Pemberly [Pride and Prejudice], or perhaps Marianne Dashwood out for one of her rainy day walks [Sense and Sensibility]. We briskly walked the hills, scattering sheep, watching the stream bank, and humming hiking tunes. On one of the trails, Christine, Shannon, and I even discovered some little snails. :) Thanks to our fearless leader, Dr. Lamb, we were led safely to the neighboring village where our bus was waiting to pick us up. Here ends another wonderful day in England.