Painswick to Knapp Lane

 

Denise, landlady of our B&B, provided us with with a good breakfast and further entertaining anecdotes to see us on our way.

Five minutes into our walk, we'd just picked up some cake for lunchtime and the rain set in. It lasted for four hours with varying degrees of enthusiasm. For the most part it rained very enthusiastically.

On the plus side there was no wind, so at least the rain was vertical. On the downside there was no wind, so we were steaming hot inside our waterproofs.

Throughout the morning we found ourselves on the edge of a thunderstorm  - sometimes directly overhead, and sometimes drifting off to the west. The rain was a constant companion.

On the way out of Painswick we spotted this memorial to a fella who's name I've forgotten, but who was instrumental in putting together the Cotswold Way. 

Our way took us through familiar countryside, with more of the rolling fields and beech woods that we've become accustomed to. 

Up on Harefield Beacon the rain stopped for long enough to catch a glimpse of the views before it rolled back in again.

By about 1.30, as we were approaching Ebley, the skies began to lighten, and we perched in a field to enjoy our tea and cake and peeled off the waterproofs.

The guidebook offered a variant at this point, which we opted to follow even though it added some distance.

This took us along a stretch of the Stroudwater Canal as far as Ebley Mill - a beautiful historic building now home to district council offices.

From there it was a long pull up onto Selsley Common, for more glorious views west over Ebley and the Severn.

By now we were starting to tire, but more woods and hills were still to come.

Eventually we made it to Coaley Hill and spotted our home for the night down below.

After 7.5 hours and a good 15 or so miles of walking, we pretty much staggered the last few steps down Knapp Lane to be welcomed by old friends Dawn and Ian who conveniently live just off our trail. Convenient for us, anyway!

Good food, good company, a hot shower and a comfy bed - delightful.

Em x