Day Three: LIttle Sodbury to Wotton-under-Edge

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, 

 Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; 

    Conspiring with him how to load and bless 

        With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run

This Folly Was Built to House Barn Owls and Swallows Which Nest in Buildings and are Losing Their Habitat


Oh Keats ~ how can I not think of these lines today?  Now I'm feeling the distance ~  Not only in my toes and calves but in my mind. I'm actually doing this and I can do it! Why did I ever doubt? Today was the kind of English countryside walking I know. The track lead through plowed rich soil and fall planted fields, small hamlets of climbing roses and fuchsias bursting with color. The roadsides were a riot of blackberries I couldn't resist. Lunch was under the willows on a bridge by a running stream of the clearest cold water in Kilcot - and if those aren't enough prepositional phrases......I think my neck is a contender for sprain from looking around me so much, not just from looking down to avoid a huge cow pie. Everywhere is beauty and  inspiration. We saw black faced Cotwold sheep, pheasant, Highland cattle to name a few. Sometimes, looking down right in the road, I would find a piece of pottery or red brick with its edges rounded by time, evidence of an earlier life. What happened here and why in the middle of seemingly nowhere? I took time to reflect at the hill forts and touch the earthworks built on the highest hilltops by Iron Age men. This was a day when the feet keep moving forward in rhythm with the ground, the wind blowing chilly and fresh, and I could keep going forever, just the nature around me and joining this history.
If only our mortal weaknesses didnt interfere! 

A Sunken Road ~ How Many Feet Going to Market Passed Along With Mine? 

The Guidebook Called This Church of St Mary Intriguing for Its Cubed Shaped Yews - Meh!

Sir Slug the Slimey! I Am Thy Savior!

HIghland Baby at Kelston Round Hill. Don't You Want to Just Squeeze Him?

Planted in honor of Queen Victoria, the Jubilee Clump is at a viewpoint which was also an ancient beacon site. Trees were planted here in 1815 to commemorate the victory at Waterloo. It had become thin by the end of the Crimean War and was replanted and given an enclosure to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887, when this spot was also chosen to house one of a chain of beacons that were lit across the country. The clump was replanted again in 1952. 

Rivendell!

Somerset Monument and Here's the Monument Later in the Day

Choices! We Always Have Choices.

Wotton u Edge 

13.48 Miles

Day Two: Cold Ashton to Little Sodbury

Starting out in Chilly Ashton

The Guardian at the Gate

A Soup of Mud and Sheep Poo

Day 2 and feeling eager, but it doesn't look welcoming. You can listen to all the reports you want but the weather does what it chooses. Isn't that part of the pilgrimage, to accept whatever happens and see it as part of the whole shebang? Nonetheless, I brought my poncho, spare socks I was grateful for, and a second pair of shoes. George drops us at the church in Cold Ashton where we'd stopped yesterday and off we go!

If I said the going was a bucolic walk in the park I would be misleading. Paved roads are hard on shins and heels. One section was horribly noisy with the loud whine and rumble from the major M5 motorway which we had to cross on a bridge. The terrain was uneven, slanted and rutted from livestock. The rain drizzled. And the mud! It sticks to your boots until you're teetering on cement platform shoes. 

But things couldn't be working out better as we settle into our paces and positions, walking in the ancient footsteps of countless others - Steve in the front finding the way, Linda midpoint between because she's faster than me, and me dawdling behind sometimes out of sight and free to explore slugs, snails, hedgerows and birds. We sometimes chat but are mostly in our own thoughts. We're each getting from our pilgrimage what we need. Truly we are blessed! 

11.10 MILES!

Dyrham Park

Here's Steve and Linda. I Always Think It's Nice to See Where You've Been

I Am the Green Man

Coming Out of the Woods to Dyrham

Day One: Bath to Cold Ashton

And we're off! A beautiful fall-like day and we say goodbye to Bath. I'll be relieved to turn my back on the city and feel the earth under my feet. The start is, as I had read, uphill. We started climbing through the outskirts of the city until we were in the hills over Bath. From there on it was rolling hills, farm and fields. The Way is well signposted, the couple places we had trouble we were able to get back on track thanks to the map. Always trust The Map! 
Bath has never been  a favorite city of mine despite the history and beauty. I get the feeling of a tired old town no longer fit for purpose. Th traffic and tourists make a sort of low lying bad temper thats almost tangible. 
Later we met a man on the Way who said his 92 year old hiking friend said Bath needed more "copulation". He went on to elaborate in more colorful verbiage but it seems he agreed. 

The Obligatory Shoe Shot at Bath Abbey

Rain or Shine!

Linda at Prospect Stile

One of the markers in the Lansdown Hill Battlefield site (1643) . It says: "World Turned Upside Down"
For more on the Battle
It Wasn't Cold But It Was Chilly - and Garmin Says......






Perfect End to a Perfect Day....Bangers and Mash at the Wonderful Hunters Hall Pub Near Tetbury

Old Wardour Castle

Saturday in Bath and we have met up with Linda and Steve our walking companions. They're in great shape for just having arrived from Arizona. We have many ideas about things to do but decide to drive to Donhead St. Andrew and from there walk the short footpath to the ruins of Old Wardour Castle. 
Early on we weren't paying attention and there was no footpath sign so we missed the turn off to Wardour. Our short walk became a 6 mile loop. But so worth it! 
Everyone we encounter has been helpful, friendly and kind. A nation of walkers makes for good spirits! I'm excited about our pilgrimage, being back is like coming home. 

Old Wardour

Graffitti 1798

George Feeling Insignificant

Castles and Blackberries......

Before I Start Walking

George and I drive to 15C Minster Lovell in Oxfordshire. It's something you can do at 8.30AM when it's too early to arrive at the hotel and staying awake is the challenge of the day. 

After Exploring The Gothic Ruins, It's On to Salisbury

View From Our Room

Peering Face in the Window

Magpie

He Is Not Old

Swans On The Avon