Slimbridge(Sherpherd's Patch) to Gloucester(Maisemoor)

Weather today: Dry, cloudy and mild

Daily Miles Covered: 13.6

Total Miles Covered: 303.4

Things of Interest: Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. Two Great Crested Grebes!

Personal Comments: Walked along the above canal today for about 9 miles - it is very wide (about 4 times the width of the Leeds/Liverpool canal) and is a big attraction for a large variety of birds and wild flowers. It's total length is approx. 16 miles and is used by scores of sailing enthusiasts (Narrow boats to holiday cruisers).
We left it as we neared Gloucester and for a short while, walked the '3 Choir's Way' and finally ended up at a small place called Maisemoor which is close to the 'Severn Way' which we start to follow on our next walk.
Our next driver, Ross joins us next Wednesday (30th April) and takes over from Andrew who has to leave us today. This means we have the next 5 days off from walking - I don't know whether to shout "Yipee!" or "How can we manage 5 days of no walking!" - this is the penalty you pay for being ahead of schedule due to walking too fast. I blame Frank for this!
The good news is that this short break gives us chance to recharge batteries, heal wounds, do the washing, (what am I saying??) and go shopping (what am I saying again?).
I hope I don't seize up before next Thursday - keep reading the blogs to find out!
We pick Ross up at Bath railway station next Wednesday and continue our journey next Thursday. Bye for now.

Hillesley to Slimbridge (Gloucestershire)

Weather today: Heavy shower am. Sunny Breeezy all day

Daily Miles Covered: 12.1

Total Miles Covered: 289.8

Things of Interest: Bullfinches, The Gloucester Sharpness canal

Personal Comments: We were lavishly entertained last night by James and Tor (short for Victoria). They took us out for a meal and a few drinks at the Cat and Custard pot near to Westonbirt. Whilst we were in the pub (Harry and Wills go in there sometimes) we passed the Macmillan tin around, and we took some good money, well done locals. This morning Tor gave us all breakfast to set us up for the day. Thanks again James and the lovely Tor.
Quite bleak early on, but it soon picked up as the day wore on. Back to Hillesley to start at the Fleece. Following The Cotswolds Way Wooton-under-edge soon came into view, and the showers were keeping at bay. On heading northwest we passed through North Nibley, and went on to ascend Stitchcombe hill, well, it was there so we had to climb it, because I am reading the map. Over to our right we passed through a golf course, as it was nearing dinner-time, we were on the lookout for a chip shop, we found one in Dursley. Meat pie, chips and peas, in a bag! I think it's a quaint old Gloucester custom, but it was very good.
Through Dursley we found a path to take us under the M5 down an underpass, and on to Slimbridge. At the canal we had a cup of tea and waited for Andrew he soon found us, so another day done, and the sun was still shining.

Shortwood to Hillesbury (Cotswolds)

Weather today: Warm spring day, slight breeze, plenty of sunshine!

Daily Miles Covered: 14.3

Total Miles Covered: 277.7

Things of Interest: The approaches to the Cotswold's

Personal Comments: Left Shortwood along the 'Dramway' (an old tram route, east side of Bristol). Left this relatively quiet cycle path to join a busy road to take us over the M4 (no option but to use this route). After 3 miles or so, we escaped the roads to be welcomed back by the 'Monach Way'. This took us north east where we also joined up for a short while with the 'Frome ValleyWay' and then back onto the 'Monarch Way' once again.
This scenic, "friendly" pathway finally intrduced us to the 'Cotswold's Way' which we joined near Horton and swiftly ascended into the very scenic Cotswold's. We walked several miles surrounded with quite stunning views and accompanied on route by repertoires of bird songs.
Finally ending up in the village of Hillesbury (a typical pretty Cotswold's village), we quenched our raging thirst in the "Fleece Inn".
We are staying at Remo Farm tonight, owned by a friend of Andrew (our back up driver), so an interesting night is in prospect!

Clutton to Shortwood (South Gloucestershire)

Weather today: Cool at first, Sunny afternoon

Daily Miles Covered: 13.2

Total Miles Covered: 263.50

Things of Interest: The 2 rivers walk and the Bristol to Avon walkway

Personal Comments: Day off yesterday, so we felt quite ok at 6.15 Tues. am. Having dispelled the myth about the strength of West country cider, we seem to be fine after drinking 4 pints of Thatchers on Sunday evening, didn't feel a hangover at all! Andrew took us back to Clutton and we easily found a disused railway track which took along northwards (the way we want to go) Progressing through villages with strange sounding names like Compton Dando , Chewton Kenysham, for you older people thats KEYNSHAM, Bristol (remember Horace Batchelor of the pools fame) Beyond C. Dando we picked up a track called the 2 rivers way which to us all the way north to the outskirts of Bristol on the east side to a place called Cadbury Heath. With my expertise ( yeah yeah ) I found a path to take us to the Bristol and Avon walkway which again was in our favour going north. The sun was now shining, and as we passed an industrial estate, I thought how lucky I was to be doing something I wanted to do, and not being told what to do. (Thanks JT) Not having much further to go for the day we sauntered along this path for a further 3 miles in the sunshine, with all the world at rest I think its been a good day all round. The Brige inn at Shortwood seemed a good place to end, and it was open!

Wells to Clutton (8 miles from Bath)

Weather today: Stiff easterly wind on hills, calmer at low levels. Still pretty cold.

Daily Miles Covered: 13.1

Total Miles Covered: 250.3

Things of Interest: Mendip Hills

Personal Comments: Onwards and upwards once more. Left Wells with the cathederal bells peeling our departure! On towards Wookey Hole (famous for holes in the ground and caves apparently),and then a steep, steep climb up onto the Mendips. The views from here would normally be spectacular but we encountered very misty conditions but still enjoyed being up there - away from everybody!!
We picked up the 'Monach's Way' which took us further on through this sizeable county with the help of the 'Limestone Link Way' which took us to our final destination of the day which is a place called Clutton, 8 miles or so from Bath.
Rest day tomorrow to catch up on washing and re-stocking for our continuing journey from Tuesday onwards.
Don't let anybody tell you that the UK is small - believe me, it is an enormous place!
Watch this space!