10 April 2009: Birdlip to Painswick

View Birdlip to Painswick in Google maps

Walking distance: 8.7 miles
Walking time: about 4.5 hours.
Weather: Still a bit wet but not too bad.

Way points: Witcombe Wood, Coopers Hill, Painswick golf course.

After a hearty full breakfast we got the boots and raincoats back on and continued the walk. The rain today was not nearly as bad as the weather forecast had predicted the night before, and some of the rain gear had to come off as soon as we got a bit warmer walking up some hills. Generally the day was easy walking, on a lot of nice woodland pathes. But there were of course some hills too, the steepest being at Coopers Hill where the locals hold an annual cheese rolling race on the Spring bank holiday Monday. Due to the changing weather conditions we didn't stop for a proper picnic today, and arrived at the destination - Painswick church - a good half hour before the 14:50 bus that took us back to Cheltenham.

Pictures of the sixth stage of the walk are in this photo album:

CotswoldWayVI - click on the picture to open the album

9 April 2009: Seven Springs to Birdlip

View Seven Springs to Birdlip in Google Maps

Walking distance: 7.6 miles
Walking time: about 4.45 hours including short picnic break.
Weather: Wet but not too cold.

Way points: Hartley Hill, Leckhampton Hill, Crickley Hill country park.

At the Easter weekend we finally managed to pick up the Cotswold Way. Thursday is already a holiday at University so we set out in the morning for the drive to Cheltenham. The car was staying in a secure Park & Ride until our return on Friday. We first took the Park & Ride bus into the city, then went for a power breakfast in a nice cafe and at 11:10 took the bus towards Seven Springs. We started the walk at around 11:30 at the same bus stop where we finished it last year. Unfortunately the weather was not as nice as when we've last been here, but we were equipped with rain coats and determined to do the walk anyway. For the first time we took a slightly bigger rucksack with overnight gear which worked out fine: Paul carried it most of the time as it fitted nicely under his rain poncho.

During the day it kept raining on and off which did not spoil the walk or the views, but we did not take as many pictures this weekend. We arrived at the hotel fairly dry and only a bit muddy around 4:15pm. The hotel itself was a real treat, modern room and bathroom with power massage shower, and for dinner we just had to go down to the bar. A giant portion of fish and chips and a pint felt well earned to both of us!

Pictures of the fifth stage of the walk are in this photo album:

CotswoldWayV - click on the picture to open the album