I read the gospel every morning and love all the references to sheep, especially in the New Testament. John’s gospel 21:17, which is about Jesus appearing to his disciples for the third time after his resurrection and asking Peter three times if he loved him before finally telling Peter to feed his sheep, is one of my favorites. Additionally, there are all the references to Jesus as the shepherd and his sheep following him. In fact, the Bible mentions sheep more than 500 times.

The topic of sheep and shepherds brings me to my most recent trip with my family through the hills of the Cotswolds in England. This region was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen. The villages, with their thatched roofs, narrow lanes, and ancient churches and castles, were free from commercialism, with very few stoplights and minimal traffic. There were no impatient drivers honking horns and no one shouting obscenities. Quaint shops and boutiques, pubs and bakeries, B&Bs, and historic inns, some dating back to the 1500s, lined the streets, offering everything you needed without fast-food restaurants or chain box stores. Restaurants and pubs welcomed dogs, with one restaurant even including a note at the bottom of the menu: “Check here if your dog will be joining you.” The laid-back atmosphere was contagious. Everyone was cool about everything.

Our first hike took us from Moreton-in-Marsh to the villages of Longborough, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, and back to Lower Slaughter, where we spent the night in a lovely resort, the White Hart Royal Hotel. Day two started on an uphill muddy road, into a forest, back through pastures on our way to Winchcombe. We made a slight detour to tour Sudeley Castle, still occupied by Lady Elizabeth Ashcombe and her two dogs, then to Broadway, where Pam Talboys hosted us for two nights at her 500-year-old inn, The Olive Branch Guest House. Fueled up on the best breakfast ever, we set out the next morning for the long walk to Stanton, where we snacked on crisps and beer at the Mount Inn, a 17th-century pub located on a steep hill overlooking the countryside. Hike # 4 took us to Chipping Campden, where we napped on a hillside before checking into the Noel Arms Hotel. The final morning, we hiked back to our starting point in Moreton-in-Marsh and caught the train to London.

During those five days, we walked through pasture after pasture of sheep—sheep grazing, sheep sleeping, and sheep frolicking. We even witnessed one ewe give birth. Accompanying the sheep were modern-day shepherds, riding ATVs with their sheep-herding dogs perched behind them. The sheep and the individuals tending to them weren’t bothered by our traipsing across their property.

During my journey, I felt like a pilgrim rather than a tourist because I was blessed with my own shepherds to guide me. All I had to do was follow, which at first wasn’t easy. Being the oldest of four girls and a teacher meant that I was the one who always led the way, but I managed to relinquish control. My shepherds—sister Karla and our friend Krish (aka Trish)—weren’t your typical shepherds, and they certainly didn’t look like Jesus, but lead, they did! Karla used the map app, and Krish carried the paper map. All I did was check my watch and note the number of miles we walked. What I learned is that it’s okay to surrender control, trust your shepherd, and enjoy the journey.

So, here’s a huge thank you to Karla and Krish! I hope this experience helps you prepare for our upcoming trip to hike the beaches, olive groves, and winding mountain switchbacks in Greece.

P.S. We did not run into Jeremy Clarkson, but we did drink his beer.