Well I finally made it to my first destination. Chipping Campden in the beautiful Cotswolds of England. I left yesterday evening on my month long solo adventure throughout the UK and Italy. I have been planning this trip for almost a year now (the Italy portion was a add-on a few months ago). Driving to the airport yesterday I was hit with an overwhelming surge of emotion. What was I thinking jetting off to Europe for a month by myself?? Hiking 100 miles through the beautiful English country side followed by a week of riding and then more hiking. Most people like to go on vacation to relax I enjoy not only the planning but also the fast paced adventure that follows it.

So that brings us back to my first day in the UK. I arrived in Hethrow Airport (which should really be it’s own country due to it’s size) and took the express train to Paddington Station. It was such a beautiful building with beautiful architecture. I thoroughly enjoyed a egg and cheese bagel which I shared with a very sad looking pigeon. He had one bum club foot and the other leg was just a stump.. he was still looking good despite his impairments.  I hopped aboard my train after fighting with the entry gates and headed off to Morton in Marsh where I would catch a bus to my starting point Chipping Campdon. Since I got barely any sleep on the plane the lull of the train knocked me out cold. I fell asleep in dirty industrial looking London and woke up in lush green and yellow fields of the Cotswolds. A hop skip and some cookies later I finally made it to my B&B The Old Bake House where the B&B owner Zoey

greated me. I have a beautiful room with a very low door frame (hoping I don’t bang my head on it to often) the best part is the King size bed which is much more accommodating than the cramped plane.  The jet lag is kicking my butt so I’m off for a snooze before I head out and explore the town and grab a bite to eat.