At that age, I sported Beatle bangs and learned how to clamber atop the family stereo so I could change 45s for my big brother while he did his homework. From the bases, many fewer than 10 miles apart, the 8th Air Force flew hundreds of daylight bombing missions, and this corner of England became known as Little America. Of all the ships that ever sailed from Britain's fabled port, the two most famous are one that sank on its maiden voyage and launched a legend and one that made it across the Atlantic and launched a nation. And the Mayflower. But after three days of ambling along the Cotswold Way through this enchanting swath of England, I was growing used to surprises.
Snowy swans avoid cheerfully painted barges.
Boys are fishing from the bank for carp and bream. Mercifully, this guy doesn't sing. The scene is just as my friend, Guido Campigotto, described it. Venice, of course, is very romantic. But if you can't get there, we've got Venice on the underground.