Ta-Da!! 14 miles today, and the weather was great. Partly cloudy, a little cool, and a little windy. But don’t think that we’re complaining. It was nice enough that at a point in the route today where we had the option of taking an additional two mile route looping around a golf course, we did that.
The first big uphill today took us up onto Cam Long Down. That sounds like a Vietnamese name, but in reality, it’s a big long ridge with terrific 360 degree views. I’ll put some of these pictures in a separate post. Then, a long downhill into Dursley. We had a couple of great dog encounters that will also be a separate post.
Speaking of dogs…. In the first couple of hours walking this morning we probably passed a couple of dozen people out for a Saturday morning walk. And with one exception, they all had their dog (or dogs) with them. It’s really true that the British are a dog loving nation. Every day, even in terrible weather, we’ve seen people taking their dogs out for a run. On the other hand, we’ve seen only one family out with their children. It also should be noted that all the dogs we’ve seen have been really well trained. Does anyone besides me remember the TV show from years ago that featured the kind of dowdy British lady who trained dogs so well? This was way before the Dog Whisperer. Can’t remember the name of the lady, or the show.
Marty said he read someplace that when they banned smoking in pubs it wounded the pubs, but if Britain ever banned dogs from pubs it would be the death of them. One of the locals at the pub we ate in last night had his dog with him. The dog laid quietly on the floor next to him for the most part, only occasionally walking around the room introducing himself to everyone.
This was market day in Dursley, the downtown was busy, there was a little market in the square, and there was a small group playing Celtic music by the market. Really felt neat.
Another uphill from Dursley onto Stinchcombe Hill. This was where we decided to take the long way, which took us two miles around Stinchcombe Hill golf course, but around a ridge with some terrific views. Busy day on the golf course, but not a sign of an electric cart - other than some battery push carts. Marty kept wandering off the path into the rough trying to find a golf ball even though we were still way off the fairway. He found one, and the owner had put their mark on it to distinguish it from others’. The mark was a little heart. It was all I could do to keep Marty from looking for the golfer to return it. (Just kidding).
Stopped and talked to a runner who was taking a short break. He’s practicing for the Cotswold Way Relays coming up in a couple of weeks. Teams sign up to race the whole 102 miles in 10 sections, starting in Chipping Campden at 7 in the morning and ending in Bath late that evening. Every runner does 8 to 12 miles along the Cotswold Way. Kind of like what we’re doing, only a little faster. This particular runner had missed a sign and had wound up doing the extra two miles we had just done. He was concerned that this was going to make him late getting to Wotton under Edge where his stage will end and his wife will be waiting. But not so concerned he didn’t want to stop and talk for a while. It’s probably best he gets this sign thing worked out before the relay itself.
For us, it was down into the village of Nibley, then up (of course) onto the ridge outside Nibley and past the Tyndale monument. The monument to Sir William Tyndale was built in 1866 in memory of the man who in 1536, defying authorities, proceeded to translate the New Testament into English. For this, he was burnt at the stake. And got a really nice monument sometime later.
The trail up to the monument goes up 118 steps, and there are terrific views from the ridge. There are another 121 steps inside the monument that take you up to the top of the tower, and supposedly even more terrific views. I offered to wait while Marty went to the top, but ultimately, we both passed.
From there, it was an easy three miles along the ridge, then down into the village of Wotton under Edge, where we’re staying tonight.
Great day.
Great write up Alan. I am glad the weather cooperated today, but the forecast is for more rain moving in. It looks like you are doing great. It doesn't look like that you have the same kind of bogs like last year. Have you had your gaiters on. I guess since you are mostly walking along the ridge line it isn't as wet and muddy. Good luck tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThanks, John. Yep, sounds like light rain tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. Light rain we can deal with. You just ultimately get wet. Short day - 8 miles.
DeleteThe trail has been muddy in places, the kind of thing you have to watch where you're stepping and dance around the muddy spots. But, nothing like the bogs in Ireland that would suck your boots off.
You know, neither one of us brought gaiters, and that was probably a mistake. Not so much for the mud, but because gaiters keep the rain from running into your boots as fast, and let your feet stay dryer longer. Although nothing works to keep your feet dry forever.
Beautiful pics and great story. Glad you found a golf ball Marty! What do you guys have for lunch? Do you stop and have a lunch break on the trail?
ReplyDelete