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<p>On Thursday I collected Helene from her home and we headed for Banbury. After a delightful lunch in the Bell Plantation in Towcester we made our way to the Premier Inn Banbury. We were collected by Gary &amp; Caroline and spent the afternoon catching up before heading for Voujon Indian restaurant in the centre of town. It was a great evening and we ate far too much.</p>
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<p>Friday morning we had breakfast at Costa whilst charging the Kia to 100%.</p>
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<p>A pleasant drive to Stow on the Wold and afternoon tea in Huffkin's then headed to the barn where the others were waiting.</p>
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<p>After selecting our rooms by taking a number from a hat we settled in for the week. </p>
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<p>As always our first evening meal was fish and chips - Greedy's in Stow on the Wold was perfect.</p>
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<p>Stow on the Wold is famous for it's cutsie shops and cafés and Huffkins was recommended so we had to give it a try. Helene had a scone while had carrot cake (my first of the holiday).</p>
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<p>As usual when visiting holiday destinations we looked in several estate agent windows and rapidly came to the conclusion that the Cotswold is a far too expensive for us.</p>
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<p>Dinner tonight was fish &amp; chips for everyone from Greedy's in Stow.</p>
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<p><strong>Saturday</strong> - the whole crew travelled to <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gloucestershire-cotswolds/hidcote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hidcote Manor</a> (National Trust)</p>
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<p>The gardens are set out as if they are rooms spread out over 10 acres. Despite it being September and the end of the season there was plenty to see. Each "room" was wonderfully tranquil.</p>
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<p>Lunch in the cafe was pretty good.</p>
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<p><strong>Sunday </strong>- <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gloucestershire-cotswolds/snowshill-manor-and-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snowshill Manor &amp; Gardens</a> is another National Trust property (thank goodness we joined the previous week)</p>
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<p>This is a unique collection of odd items. The owner, <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gloucestershire-cotswolds/snowshill-manor-and-garden/history-of-charles-paget-wade-at-snowshill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charles Paget Wade</a>,  was an inveterate collector. In modern parlance he was a hoarder and it could be said he had a mental health issue with his hoarding whereas others might describe him an eccentric. Despite having a multiple bedroomed manor house he lived in a small cottage alongside the manor.</p>
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