Historic Hilton (Cambridgeshire) with Michel and Roger Jackson

Mazes were often used as a mini-pilgrimage "to be done on one's knees as a penance or used as a rite to cast out the Devil who could move only in straight lines".  Turf mazes were often found on village greens.  Hilton, small Cambridgeshire village, is no exception. This maze was cut by Captain William Sparrow in 1660.

 I am visiting Michele and Roger, dear friends that I taught with in La Maddalena, Sardinia years ago.  They picked me up at the Cambridge station and we ate at Jamie Oliver's charming restaurant in an old library in the center of Cambridge.  Felt like old times!

Their house is near Cambridge in a beautiful residential village with only 2 shops nearer the main road.   What it lacked in shops, it made up in charm with large houses, (thatched and otherwise), nice walking trails, a 12th Century church, old Post Office, manor houses and a maze and village green designed by "Capability" Brown, the renowned  18th Century landscape designer who lived here.  Their house was also huge and my guest bedroom was the largest I have ever seen!  We had a wonderful visit and I loved my time with them!

Guided road with walk/bike trail alongside

Transportation to Cambridge was more difficult with one bus in and out.  I happened to meet a person in the only store that insisted on driving me to the nearest park and ride (about 30 min walk away on busy roads).  Tina had darling black and white terriers in the back seat and was a creative artist and I enjoyed her.  That was really nice of her and typical of the friendly people in Great Britain as I had missed the only early bus!  From the large car park, I rode a "guided" bus for the 1st time.  Guided buses are capable of being steered by external means, usually on a dedicated "track or roll" way that excludes other traffic. They can also be driven at times on regular roads!  That was a really unique experience and made a great deal of sense!  The trip was easy and only took about 35 minutes to the center of Cambridge.

 Coming back was much more difficult as I there was only one late afternoon bus directly back to Hilton.  It went through every village in a very convoluted ride so it was also interesting though scary on small roadways when cars pulled up on the side of road for us to pass.  It sounded like we took out at least one side mirror!  A short walk took me back to the house and a lovely dinner with Michele and Roger and hearing about their day at school and mine on the road.

I was able to get a close up of a thatched roof and it was so thick and interesting.  Michele said they just dump a pile of hay on the roof with a crane and then put on properly by hand.  I saw there was a small wire net keeping it in place. Some have a nice decorative touch at the top.


My next stop is Newbury and my Highclere Castle - Downton Abbey Tour!  I have truly loved every minute of this short time in England!