For the past two nights, we have stayed at The Sportsman Inn in Amberley. This is truly a neighborhood pub. The place was jumping when we arrived by taxi Sunday afternoon. Then last night, it was quiz night. The place was packed! (But from our room, we couldn’t hear them at all.) At lunchtime, the restaurant was busy, and as we walked back to our room, in a quiet corner there was a table of six people playing a card game. The landlord wants to sell and the community is afraid a developer will buy it, so they are trying to raise money to save it. It would be a shame to see such a lively spot shut down. 

We were all so happy to have a rest day today! After meeting for breakfast, we all went our separate ways. David and I walked down to the village shop and then St Michael’s Church. Amberley is the sweetest little village with cottages and larger farmhouses with thatched roofs. I find the roofs fascinating. Many have a design made with thatch along the very top. A few have little animal figures made of thatch running along the ridge line.

St. Michael’s Church is a little treasure in this village. The building of it began in 1091 and it has been used as a place of worship since at least 1103! We walked around the graveyard first and then were disappointed that the church door was locked. Right next to and behind the church is Amberley Castle. We walked around it a bit and could see where they are restoring it. The other (front?) part of the castle is actually a posh hotel now. I’ve seen photos of the front and it does look impressive but we didn’t feel like going to see it this morning and were satisfied with what we could see. As we were walking back past the church, an Australian couple asked us if we liked the church and we told them we were disappointed to find it locked. They assured it was not; they had thought the same at first, but figured out the trick of turning the latch and pushing extra hard. We talked to them a bit then went back to the church, so glad they had told us! I am continually amazed and in awe of these old buildings and the people who built them!

I’ve seen three treehouses this trip. Not at all awesome as the stone buildings, but they all look fun!

The flowers always catch my eye, especially daffodils.

David walked without pain for three miles today at a pretty good pace. Fingers-crossed for tomorrow!

• To Moreton-in-Marsh, April 29
• To Chipping Camden, April 28
• To Stanton, April 27
• To Winchcombe, April 26
• To Guiting Power, April 25
• To Bourton-on-the-Water, April 24
• To Stow-on-the-Wold, April 23
• A Rest Day and a Train Trip to Remember, April 21-22
• To Eastbourne, April 20
• To Alfriston, April 19
• To Kingston/Lewes, April 18
• To Poynings, April 17
• To Bramber/Upper Beeding, April 16
• Rest Day in Amberley
• To Amberley, April 14