This was the day to walk over Cleeve Common , a high plateau. After the initial climb (1000 feet above sea level, of which the hotel is half way), the walk is gently rolling. At the south edge are the remains of a hill which was use for protection over 2000 years old. Much further on and around is Belas Knap, a burial mound over 4000 years old. Built into the mound were small stone caves for the bodies (over 38 were found, according to the information board).
More gentle walking, then down, down, down over fields, descending to the village of for lunch. This was the scariest (steepest) terrain and the longest leg – 6.5 miles. Our reward was a quiet visit to St Peters Church where tapestries stitched by Catherine of Aragon were carefully preserved under glass. I found the age and specificity of the display oddly emotional.
Our afternoon was spent at Sudeley Castle, an option we all took. It was interesting to see the reality of a great house. This castle was important to Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Jane Seymour and so on. It looks very much what castles are supposed to look like. Inside the public rooms were many
Van Dyck paintings, other paintings, dresses, marquetry, and carved furniture, especially from the time of Cromwell and Elizabeth I.
The modern feature was a room displaying the gown from the wedding of Henry (the familys male heir) to a model from Hawaii in May of this year! Photos and a video showed the beautiful people, none of whom I recognized, except for Mick Jagger and Bryan Adams (who provided the music).
Finally, we saw a display from the diaries and collections of Emma Dent , a Victorian who did much to restore the castle after 180 years of disuse. Her husband was a owner and MP. She wrote extensively, and she collected things, as Victorians did. The best part of the display was the lace, made into collars, veils, Christening dresses, etc. You can see why people went blind doing it. One sign said Emma Dent thought her own lace not well done, but that she did recognize good work.
Characters
Write Comment
