"THE COTSWOLDS"
On my very first trip to England, one of the places I had been told to go was The Cotswolds. At the time I was told this I had no idea what that even meant, let alone where this was located in relationship to London which was my actual destination.
My dearest friend Betty Garrett was playing a nightclub in London in a place called 'Pizza On The Park'. I know, it sounds like some Pizza joint...and well, I guess you could say it is, but a very high class Pizza joint with a very very pretty nightclub in the basement. 
I'd never been to England before and if anyone could get me to make this trip, it was Betty. Quite a few other Theatre West members were going...not together, but everyone was planning on meeting there in London and going to see 'our Betty'. Besides being really great friends with her, evryone going had worked with her at one time or another, and some people had worked with her many times, like myself.
I thought long and hard about making this trip; I am not a good traveler and as the years had gone on, I was getting worse! And this was a very long trip from Los Angeles. But it was so tempting I decided...YES! I will make the trip. I made my reservations and it turned out that Betty's cousin Carol was planning on going as well, and we are great friends, so we decided to fly together! A great bonus for me. I had chosen a Hotel through my travel agent and it seemed centrally located in terms of theatres in London, and the best part of it was that I could walk to Pizza On The Park in less than 3 minutes! Cousin Carol stayed there, too, and it was a glorious place! 
I was thrilled with my room, and arol was wild about her room, as well. After both of us had napped in our respective rooms on that first day or night...(who knew what time it was for our bodies!)....another great friend, Charles Berliner, a wonderful set & costume designer who had flown over from Los Angeles earlier that day, met Cousin Carol and myself, in the restaurant you see in the photo above to your left, for some dinner and then, after a glorious meal, we walked over to the Pizza On The Park nightclub to see the wonderful Betty's show!To be continued.....(I need to rest now....zzzzzzzzzz...I will get to The Cotswolds, I promise.....)
- had this to say:
I'm waiting for "the rest of the story!"
- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 7:21:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
Looking forward to reading more! I love London and the Cotswolds is a beautiful area. :)
- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 7:24:00 AM PST
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Hey, NO FAIR! You are not allowed to post cliff-hangers, so get back here and tell us the rest of the story!
I think I remember Betty Garrett; she was funny. I can't remember what I saw her in, though.
Michele sent me this time.- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 10:28:00 AM PST
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Hi All--Thanks for stopping by..This is a l-o-n-g- story..I don't know how to make this one short and fast! (lol) But, I will get back to it next time!
Betty G. did a bunch of films at MGM and then later she was in All In The Family, (the neighbor, Irene Lorenzo), and also Laverne & Shirley, (their landlady who marry's Laverne's father..); and she starred on Broadway 8 or 9 times as well as touring all over this country in different plays over the years, PLUS, she now has a star on Hollywood Blvd! And has never stopped working...Amazing person!- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 11:55:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
I would LOVE to go to England some day. Your post makes me want to go even more.
- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 12:18:00 PM PST
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I've not been overseas...someday...
- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 1:11:00 PM PST
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Hallo, thanks for the visit earlier see that we share a similar tastes in templates! and so close to each other also in ground we occupy! Visiting from Michele's of course and will return forthwith to view and absorb more....... and before I take leave "Word Verifications Anagrams" are in order I see! (and a stern admonishment to Kenju for not playing lately.... [finger wags])
Todays entry:
"mhdpt" =
"Many Happy Days Portend Tiredness.."- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 1:55:00 PM PST
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I know how hidious those long flights are, I just did the New Zealand to Los Angeles and back home again thing,I was sick at the time which didn't help.
At least I stocked up on Reeces which are impossible to get in NZ LOL
Spent five nights freezing my butt off on a movie set then back home LOL
Michele sent me and I am glad she did I love your blog !
I will be back :)- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 3:52:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
When I graduated from highschool I decided to forego the usual Cancun trip and instead headed off to England, Scotland, and Wales with my family and some friends. It was an amazing experience and I remember the Cotswold's well! You must have had a fabulous time :)
Michele sent me!- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 3:55:00 PM PST
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Your stories are SO wonderful.
- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 4:04:00 PM PST
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I have become so intruiged with England ever since blogging. I just love those bloggin' brits! I can't wait to hear about your trip.
ps...the dog in the top pic, remind me of my childhood dog. she was just a mutt, but oh we loved her.- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 5:43:00 PM PST
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I love this recollection. So colorful in words and images.
Coincidentally, my wife and I came THIS close to buying a house on Cotswold Gate when we first moved here. In the end, we ended up buying a house on the opposite end of town. But every time I cycle past the street, I smile.
Popped in from Michele's tonight.- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 5:44:00 PM PST
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Sorry Doug, not feeling "anagramish" lately.
Thanks for the update about Betty Garret; now I remember her in All in the Family and Laverne and Shirley.- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 7:23:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
Hello! Michele sent me. Sounds like you had a wonderful time in England!
- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 8:48:00 PM PST
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oh, Lady, it looks like a wonderful ttrip! i have to mention... is that dog an english springer spaniel? i grew up with liver and white springers, they are wonderful dogs. anyways... im glad you had a great trip. i always enjoy visiting you, but this time, Michelle sent me.
- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 9:05:00 PM PST
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Hi,
Michele sent me. I'm originally from LA but I lived outside of London for several years and have very fond memories of England. It's a great country and the Cotswolds are such a gorgeous part of it.- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 9:07:00 PM PST
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Beautiful pictures! Love your blog, btw!
- Friday, November 11, 2005 at 10:15:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
I enjoy your stories and the pictures! We all want some more!
Michele sent me this time.- Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 12:24:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
Hope you're having a great time in England.
*waves* Michelle sent me.- Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 12:43:00 AM PST
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Pizza on the Park is a well known landmark in London and being in Knightsbridge (Harrods etc), you are in one of the smartest areas and close to lots of great places.
And getting out to the Cotswolds, so you see some quaint England as well.
Welcome!
rashbre- Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 2:53:00 AM PST
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As a resident of the United Kingdom, I'm glad you like our country so much.
- Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 5:23:00 AM PST
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Good afternoon, OldOld, I sure wish you would finish this story!
Michele sent me.
My husband just mentioned that Betty was in a movie with Frank Sinatra about sailors in NYC.- Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 10:14:00 AM PST
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you do realise that we are busting with aniticipation? :-)
MSM
cq- Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 10:21:00 AM PST
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Michele sent me your way, Old, Old Lady of the Hills.
This sounds like a good start to a wonderful visit. I hope y'all were able to get enough rest to get over your jetlag. And the cat in the post below is just beautiful! I love the eyes. Intense!- Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 10:33:00 AM PST
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Michele sent me again to enjoy your pictures!
- Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 10:35:00 AM PST
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will await the next chapter. you make your experiences come alive for your readers. :)
here via michele today.- Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 1:24:00 PM PST
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I don't comment alot but I do love hearing about the things that you've done!
- Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 3:12:00 PM PST
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Add me to the top of the list of "people who find your blog fabulously intersting", and who will be coming back for more and more.
- Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 5:45:00 PM PST
x4
