Hailes

I set off at 0830hrs into the crisp sunshine; not a cloud in sight. It was straight up hill from the get go to reach the summit of Dover’s Hill. I was presented with views across the Cotswolds.

From here it remained relatively flat, crossing farmland and through small copses before reaching Broadway Tower. From this vantage point you can see the village nestling below.

The descent was quite quick into the village where I stopped at a picnic bench for a short brake. It was 1100hrs and I had done 6 miles; too early for lunch.

Leaving Broadway, the trail went up a long drawn out incline for 3 miles which was quite exhausting; the head wind didn’t help. As soon as it levelled out, it steeply descended into Stanton where I stopped at the Mount Inn for some food and a cold class of orange and lemonade.

From here the route passes through fields scattered by oak trees. The quintessential Cotswold landscape. I even spied a deer grazing, but it was too far for my phone to pick out.

I passed through Stanway with its stately home and grand gatehouse in a blink of an eye. Crossing the main road into Stanway Wood, marking the start of the last hill for the day. This was a steep ascent that was gruelling. My knee started give me a bit of bother which slowed my pace.

By 1600hrs I reached my campsite at Hailes, pitched my tent in the wind and settled in. Unfortunately at 1900hrs it began to rain. Not what my weather app predicted!

Still it was good to get walking again. At times my mind drifted to memories of my Camino. I felt back in my element.