After being treated by my wife Lydia with a wonderful trip to Naples for my 50th birthday no further options for life or surprises were left as the word says. So, when several years later the occasion came up to celebrate Lydia's 50th birthday I was at a loss what to do. Neither catwalks or dull city trips appealed to me and I knew I would be a nuisance there. I thought about hiring a classic car and a trip in a country landscape as an excuse.
When I saw Tony and Elaine Merrygold's The Open Road website I found where I was looking for: the perfect classic car in perfect natural surroundings, The Cotswolds. I chose for the Triumph TR 4 because as a boy I always thought this a great car and I never grew up.
Tony picked us up from our hotel with a red Mark II Jaguar and I thought I heard inspector Morse saying something in the background.
After arriving at The Open Road premises I was taken for a ride in the Triumph, which I instantly fell in love with. Wonderful basic technology and an old fashioned roar from the exhaust sent me on the English roads while Tony watched with a keen eye. In the meantime Lydia stayed behind and studied the roadmaps.
We departed for the Cotswolds with the sky a little overcast, after being briefed extensively by Tony about the car. Also, ample information about the car and the region was provided. Great service!
The country roads, the abundance of green foliage and the limestone houses made us immediately feel at home.
Goodbye cell phones, GPS navigation and internet. From now on we were on our own.
Broadway was our first stop. Gradually feeling a senior citizen after several beach holidays in the past years this town was a welcome change for us. We walked through Broadway and had a nice lunch in a modern pub. We admired the houses and buildings. I wished I could pocket one and rebuild it in Holland.
Hidcote, one of the most famous gardens in England was an absolute must in our program. Contrary to what was said on the website that it was open on Thursdays, we had to wait for Saturday. It was worth waiting for. An impressive garden with exotic plants.
We drove on to Bourton-on-the-Water. Because of heavy rainfall the river Severn was flooded at some places. This town had not suffered and the river Windrush passed peacefully under the low bridges. Children held a competition with self-made small boats who was first to pass the next bridge. All very poetic and peaceful.
We stayed in a very comfortable hotel with a friendly staff who made our stay here a memorable experience. Their restaurant was located at the river. Anyone who thinks that English food should be avoided is way behind. We had an excellent dinner.
We had a nice talk with a Welsh couple who advised us to wear our watches on the opposite side. This might help in driving left. I tried it and it helped.
Bibury is a place on itself, almost from a movie ot another planet. It feels like a kind of Shangri La when entering this town. Arlington Row is so much photographed that it almost looks unreal but it certainly has a very special atmosphere. Although famous this village has not been spoiled by commercial activities.
After returning from a walk through the town our car was snugly parked between a bus and an empty ice cream car. After some attempts we found the respective owners who made way so we could continue our trip. Throughout the day we had to use umbrellas and remembering Longfellow’s words that in each life some rain must fall we kept up the good spirit.
We also visited Chastlestone House, Chipping Camden, Lower Slaughter, Stow in the Wold and more. A trip that went straight to our hearts. Also thanks to Tony and Elaine who helped us when we were unable to find our way back from Warwick. Highly recommended.
Peter Kamstra
The Netherlands
