Sep 22, 2015

From Kitchen Karma to Bourton-on-Water via Moreton-in-Marsh, the Cotswold countryside

One sultry May afternoon I stumbled upon the vivacious Kitchen Karma's "weekend break" blog post from the English Countryside.
Her narration clearly encapsulated the excitement of her trip and she made her adventure with her 'Girls only' escapade simply irresistible.

Cotswold now was on my most desired bucket-list!

Cotswold on the web:

As Google says: "A rural area of south central England covering parts of 6 counties, notably Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. Its rolling hills and grassland harbour thatched medieval villages, churches and stately homes built of distinctive local yellow limestone. The 102-mile Cotswold Way walking trail follows the Cotswold Edge escarpment from Bath in the south to Chipping Campden in the north." 

Well, how can one resist the enticing feeling of being amidst this magical abode!

Wish come true: Universe grants my deepest desire!

Nursing the desire to explore this personally it almost felt like Universe granted me a wish exactly a year and a half later. I was part of a special assignment at work which required for me to travel to London and spend a work week training with my colleagues in the UK. I managed to squeeze in a couple more days for a quick escapade to my deepest desire- The Cotswold!

Glimpses of UK

Planning my trip to Cotswold: 

My end destination: Burton-on-Water and my mode of transport could be nothing other than train followed by the Pulhams Bus to take me on this adventure. Afterall, feeling the countryside was critical to the overall experience.

Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-Water via Stow-on-the-Wold:

To reach Burton-on-Water I needed to travel to the closest rail station Moreton-in-Marsh, a small quaint English village that had a stunning Railway Station and a cute Bust-stop a few steps away.

My destination station as I continue to explore Cotswold.


Moreton-in-Marsh, makes me want to eat it! :)

The quaint little station after a spell of rain.


This is where I got onto my connecting Bus.


I took the First Great Western Rail to get to my destination while I enjoyed the beautiful sights of Reading and Oxford en-route. The 5th stop from Paddington landed me at Moreton-in-Marsh.

The railways are so similar to the ones in India.


View of the terrains from my train ride.


Somewhere between Reading & Oxford.


A connecting Pulhams Bus reached me to Bourton-on-Water via Stow-on-the-Wold, again another small quaint town with the most stunning winding roads interspersed with ponds and vast green meadows.

On my bus ride, the clouds made me wonder whether I'd have a wet one!


Intersection of the roads lined with luscious greens and contrasting skies!


While I traversed through God's stunning creation I also crossed 2 more little villages Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter which would eventually become part of my unplanned trek on my way back later in that day!

Each of these are little stops need an independent post to give you the experience of this amazing land called Cotswold. Over the next few stay tuned as my English adventure unfolds!

Until then...

Xoxo
Sensuous2Spiritual

  

6 comments:

  1. How wishes come true! Life and its plans for us... Such a thrilling read and such beautiful pictures! Your lens has given me the most perfect first glimpse I needed to add this to my bucket list too. From the colours and simplicity that you captured in these pictures to the way you've written about your experience, everything makes this post so worthwhile. Loved every bit of it :)
    The journey from the thing that inspired the wish to the wish fulfilment stirs something deep within :)

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  2. Could almost feel the fresh air, sense the lusciousness of the colours around you, the excitement in your strides through the writeup. Glad you conspired with the universe! Look forward to more.

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  3. Many moons ago in our pre-baby days we did a road trip around that part of UK going to Bath, Salisbury and Stratford-upon-Avon. we passed Cotswold then but never thought to stop there :( Amazing pics though Amrita. You've brought the English countryside alive.
    Chethna

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    1. Thanks Chetna!

      It was truly one of the most cherished trips I have ever taken so far. Especially so as I went backpacking by myself and literally lived this experience in true explorer style! With just my camera and me, I was completely immersed into the beauty unfolding before my eyes.

      Being a woman from a country full of crime on women, this trip on my own allowed me to feel the expression of being liberated and without fear!

      Exhilarating and shackle-breaking!!!

      Do keep dropping by...feels good to hear from you!

      Xoxo,
      S2S

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