Sudeley Castle & Bourton on the Water

We spent our first Sunday enjoying the sunny grounds of Sudeley Castle & Gardens, one of King Henry VIII's royal residences just 15 mins away, with its accompanying "playground" which is more like an outdoor ninja gym next to the world's largest playset (a miniature wooden castle.) It was breathtaking and informative and peaceful and spacious. I think we will be coming here often.

Sudeley boasts the only privately owned estate where royalty is buried. King Henry VIII's sixth queen, Katherine Parr lies buried here in this chapel on the grounds, St. Mary's Church. Her tomb was discovered by some picnickers exploring the rubble.

They do playgrounds right, here! Des, our diehard America Ninja Warrior fan, thought he was in heaven.

They house a wonderful collection of eclectic and endangered foul that were fun to visit as well.

Seeing our children play in those rare moments when they're all involved in a single thing, like tag or football (before the injuries and tears begin), is one of my very most favorite things in all the world. Having it happen in such a gorgeous place is just icing on top.

The short drive into the countryside is just a delight with rolling green hills, grazing sheep, wooden/stone fences and thatched roof cottages. The Cotswolds are living up to their reputation so far. Truly remarkable beauty all around. There really are picture postcard scenes tucked away in each unique village we happen upon.

There have been an extraordinary amount of tasks we've had to complete and set up this time around - so tedious and time consuming, but we've tried to include an outing as part of each place we've had to show our faces. On our way to complete some paperwork (and visit the Commissary) at the base an hour away, we stopped at Bourton on the Water, a gorgeous little quintessential Cotwold town.

The kids loved playing in the water and chasing the ducks. There was an art class watercoloring a beautiful stone home on the water. We bought pastries and sweets for lunch and hardly fit through some of the little alley roads in our big car. It was awesome.

And having never lived on or near a military base before, we were introduced to that interesting slice of "America" plopped down in the English countryside. (pretty sure I wasn't allowed pics) Got our I.D.s after stacks of paperwork/documentation, and the kids stocked up on some familiar foods from home. Surprising how good cheetos and gatorade make you feel when you haven't seen them for a while :)