worcestershire and gloucestershire

worcestershire - home of worcestershire sauce, morgan cars, malvern water and where i grew up and my family still lives. it's about 140 miles northwest of london. we took the train (2hrs) to great malvern, passing lots of cows and sheep in the fields enroute. we stayed at the cottage in the wood hotel - this is an old, established hotel in malvern wells - at the top of a steep hill, and with breathtaking views, where on a clear day one can see 5 counties. dinner at my parents' house where i grew up - delicious cantonese food, my favourite dishes including pork with bats ears (wooden ear mushrooms!), soy sauce, garlic and dried beancurd, to name but one. the following day we drove to gloucestershire to stay at a friend's hotel in northleach. a picturesque village in the cotswolds with one post office, a church and some local shops. very very pretty. georgie and sam own the Wheatsheaf - a gorgeous country pub with delicious food - see the website to give you a hint of how good it is. we had a great stay with them. if you're planning on visiting the UK, you must visit the Cotswolds - an area of outstanding natural beauty - think chocolate box cottages, wildflowers, farms...beautiful and a must-do. stay at the Wheatsheaf for sure! bread. i miss the bread in england. i stuffed myself with granary bread on any occasion i could find. photos to follow... after dinner and a walk around the village, we were back to packing - for scotland...