Cotswold Way 2014 Day 4

Friday 1^st August 2018 Painswick

Today is my sister’s birthday, so I tried to keep her in mind a bit during the day.  I had not slept well, and I also ended up chatting with Shelagh, the lady of the house, so I did not get away until around 9.  Following Shelagh’s instructions on getting back to the Way I got a little lost, and I missed out on a section of the walk by taking this route.

Up to Crickley Hill and its ancient settlement, I later realised I missed out on a room of information and history about it). 

Some power walking saw me get to Birdlip and, eventually, through the seemingly never-ending wood beyond.  At Cooper’s Hill I missed the slight detour to the summit, so I missed out on seeing the Maypole or any rolling cheese. 

Then there was more woods, and some stone walls, until I got to Painswick golf course.  I was waiting for some golfers to play through and wondering where the trig point was when I glanced back and up and saw a distant silhouette against the sky and thought “that must be Rick.”  I backtracked and worked my way up there and sure enough it was him and Barb.  We chatted for a bit and then they carried on while I checked out the views from that advantage point; one of which was a young girl doing cartwheels on the top of the escarpment!

I was off again, quickly catching up with R&B and walked with them into Painswick.  I left them to their own devices while I visited the library, but it was closed, and then went through the village and off into the countryside to, unsuccessfully, find my B&B.  It was back up the steep incline into the village to the library again, now open, where a kindly lady made a phone call to my B&B to find out where it was. 

After using the internet I found my way to the B&B, a small flat that had a separate entrance from outside.  I took a shower, that was interrupted by the husband entering the flat to find out if I had found the place, and I was starkers!

After mentally recovering from that traumatic episode, I again walked the steep incline into the village.  I ran into R&B again and it started to rain, so we sheltered in a pub where we sat drinking for a few hours until the cook arrived and then had dinner.  R&B kindly paid.  I wouldn't see them for a few days, but then I would have the opportunity to buy them dinner in return.  It was back to the B&B for the nightly rituals.  And then the sound of owls hooting just as I went to sleep.

Day 5