For the rest of the week, I stayed with Chris and her family, in Staines-Upon-Thames, south of London. Chris, Laurie and Elouise were very kind to have me stay. I knew Chris back in primary school, so it was good to catch up again.
Chris was good enough to drive me out to Fairford, to see St Mary's Church. I wanted to visit this church because I may be decendant from the wool merchant John Tame who funded the rebuild, back in the 1490s.
I was also interested because this is the only church that has an almost full set of medieval stained glass windows.
I think this is because all the buidings are so close to the road, so the view is very closed in.
I loved the dry stone walls that are never straight and are home to so many plants. I assume they are also home to insects and small animals. But I hear they take some upkeep, and I saw more than a couple falling appart in my travels elsewhere.
While we were walking a 'country gentleman' in a tweed jacket, vest and tie complete with a cap, approached me. Apparently, with my borrowed hi-vis yellow jacket and my camera I looked very Official.
This man was concerned that I was reporting something. He looked very relieved when I revealed that I was just a tourist, come to visit the church!
He was also the treasurer of the church and insisted that I sign the visitors book, which I already had.
News travells fast in a small village!