It’s the Birthday Boy’s big day!

When I first was making plans for this trip, John asked if I could stay a few extra days to celebrate his birthday with them!  That took absolutely no arm-twisting whatsoever, and that day has arrived!

We’ve been talking about it all visit, so today was the perfect day to actually go to Vegetable Matters, a local farm shop near Ebrington, that also has a fantastic on-site cafe. 

The Full English here was exceptional and it looked like everyone else was enjoying their selections as well.  Afterwards, we took a couple of minutes to peruse the fresh and very colorful vegetable offerings in the shop (as, of course, that’s the original purpose based on the name!). 

Also – the local fish merchant’s truck was outside – cutting and delivering fish literally brought up from the coast that morning. 

Yup … this would be a regular haunt if I lived in the area!

After our great breakfast, though, we drove up onto Foxcote Hill to take in some views.  We had been here first in 2015 with Kathy and LeAnn, and I had taken one of my “award winning” calendar photos of a mother sheep and baby lambs from this exact point.  A few photos and a quick call with John’s mother and we were on our way back to gather Marianne for the next venture of the day!

Having driven past it enough, I wanted to take a few photos of the scenic and historic “East Banqueting House” just on the edge of Chipping Campden.  I’d seen a photo in the past and absolutely wanted to find the vantage point where it was taken from — turns out it was literally through a gate on the road from Charingworth to Chipping Campden! 

So – finding that gate, pulling off to the side, and walking out amongst the sheep – I was able to get my prize!

But that wasn’t enough!  I wanted to actually go into the St. James church and explore there – as it has always been a massive landmark that defined one of the edges of Chipping Campden. 

Also – and surprisingly neither John nor Marianne had been – there is a museum next to it (Court Barn Museum) dedicated to some of the history and artistic past of the village.  That was a “must see” for all of us, and we stopped there!

Just outside the museum, before we went it, was a medieval “cart wash” – a low ramped pit that allowed carts to roll into the standing water and wash away mud from bad weather or simply freshen up the carts as they came into town.  This feature from the early 1800s was restored back in 2015 and was very cool to see.

The museum itself had a lot of unique and interesting displays.  I didn’t realize how much Chipping Campden had been a cultural center for artisans and craftsmen who had moved from the London area for a better life for them and their families.  A fascinating look at old photos (including a recognizable High Street, even from circa 1900) and other displays – including an intricate ring with recognizable buildings from the village! – made for a nice trip down history lane.

While John and Marianne continued, I marched myself quickly over to St. James, only to be imminently disappointed that the church itself was closed for restoration until the Friday after I was leaving!  Ugh!  Timing!

It’s still an incredibly impressive church from the outside, and I relegate myself to the reality of having to visit “next time”.

HOWEVER – walking towards the back, I’m almost overwhelmed with how massive and well-manicured the cemetery is.  Walking past ancient stones intermixed with modern, I get to a huge cemetery site in a segment set below the main churchyard.  In the distance, I see the fields from where I was taking photos earlier … and I am excited to see that the East Banqueting House is very visible from places in this cemetery section!

So – lots of walking around and taking of photos later — I get numerous shots of not only the famous East Banqueting House (which you can’t tour, but is actually now a Landmark Trust Property that can be rented as a holiday home), but the ruins of old Campden House that had been destroyed on purpose during the English Civil War in 1645.  The closest I could get, sadly, was viewing from the cemetery – but it provided some interesting views nonetheless.

On the way out, I notice that there were numerous old gravestones that had been converted into an almost “edge wall” along the main walkway.  One stone, in particular, caught my eye and after looking at it on my photo later, I could see why – it was from 1694!

Catching up with John/Marianne – we decide a snack and a pint are in order, so we head back over to The Fish Hotel on the hill above Broadway for that very thing.  

A couple of pints and some snacks lead to the inevitable need for a nap – which John took full advantage of on the comfy outdoor couch!  By this time, though, it was time to head back to Oakleigh and rest up/clean up for tonight’s main event.  

John’s birthday dinner was a surprise location for him (until about 30 seconds after he turned on the main road towards Stratford… ha).  The Baraset Barn is a location I had visited back on one of my first trips, but it has seen some substantial upgrades and was an absolutely wonderful choice for a gathering of the three of us with Mark, Jess, and Henry!

A champagne toast before dinner only enhanced the actual meal – but what a meal it was, with my Herefordshire beef being just an absolute joy to the palate.  And yes, to no one’s surprise at all, I did have the rum & raisin sticky toffee pudding for dessert.  Ha!

Many laughs and stories were had into the evening, with Henry being a joy to all around including the staff.  But, as with all things – it was time to put on our backpack and trudge to the cars.  A long day was ended.

Happy Birthday John!