The Animals of Winchester, Chawton, and Newbury

It was a delightful stroll through the meadows in Winchester where we came upon swans and two fluffy cygnets, a rat under a bridge - not so delightful - a few cows, a heron, and a growling dog. Just down the road from Jane Austen's house in Chawton was a very large flock of sheep next to a grade school that is still in session. The kids get six weeks of summer vacation. For lunch we stopped at the Feather and Fur. There is a chicken coop filled with hens out back that supply the eggs. On to Highclere Castle in Newbury where Downtown Abbey is filmed with more sheep, goats and horses. I really love animals as they are entertaining and useful! What better places to serve as backdrops to these wonderful creatures.