walkinaround

janis ...there is nothing confused or confusing. i explained myself clearly. the OP can make up her mind as to what she wants based on the information given.

in the cotswolds, she will find villages 'that melt her heart' (as she says). it's just that when she starts to meet the locals (as she says she wants to do), she will not find country folk but City high-flyers, retired business people, and internationals. if she visits during the week, many residents will be off doing business or pitching book ideas in new york, hong kong, etc (not typical activities of 'country folk'). when she is 'meandering lovely country roads' (as is her ambition) she will encounter more porsche cayennes rushing around than country folk moving at a country pace. there is nothing wrong with any of this. it is just the reality of the cotswolds (which nobody seems to disagree with).

Mimar

I like the mapping site www.multimap.com for trip planning in Britain. It has great little details when you zoom in: mill, farm, etc.

Cimbrone

Your last post, Karen, would indicate that you and I look for the same things from England--cottage gardens, stone villages, fields of sheep, bunny rabbits dodging between the hedgerows. Right? Check out the Yorkshire Dales. I stayed here www.smithyfold.co.uk/ and loved the surrounding areas. Dent is a charming village and, from the b&b, is a reasonable walk among the sheep and hawthorne on the Dales Way. This is TRUE countryside. The book town of Sedbergh is nearby.

I was in the Cotswolds about 15 years ago, and, if it hasn't changed too much, there was lots there to melt your heart.

I was nervous about driving. Make sure you get an automatic, start out slow, and it really is quite easy.

owain

"Make sure you get an automatic, start out slow,..."

...and speed up before you get to Suffolk. Otherwise I'll be stuck behind you

RosieinOz

Hi Kaen
I find google maps a better resource than earth as you dont have to download a huge file and it's quick!

www.maps.google.com

Rosie