Painswick and the Butchers Arms

Drifting down the hillside, Painswick is quintessentially Cotswolds, the stone houses, narrow streets, many trimmed with spring bulbs in flower, but sadly, far more houses for sale than is comfortable, assuredly due to the economic conditions. We saw a sign in a back street pub "Due to the economic conditions we have been forced to close our doors".
St Mary's Church Painswick boasts a churchyard trimmed with 99 topiarised yew trees, all numbered (you can sponsor one if you wish). Their shapes are marvellous only because of the age of many of them which means that they sport dents and jagged edges in their trimmings. I spotted a sad and loving memorial plaque in the church, see the picture.
Lunch at the Butchers Arms, Sheepscombe was delicious. The pub is very old and very famous. We approached down a seemingly endless lane, round numerous blind corners and finally found the village - we had walked through it the day before on our 3 1/2 hour ramble! Salmon fishcakes with salad, followed by bread and butter pudding with custard - yes I know, cliched but I've always been a fan. Two gentlemen perched at the bar discussed the mechanical difficulties one was having with his car - the part was going to cost £230, before any labour. I hope the repair is successful.