Dursley

Today was easier but only just despite the rain. I set off about 0730hrs to get 30mins walk in before the rain was predicted to set in. Most of the trek today was in woodland thus little picture opportunities. However I have crossed over the halfway mark!

The route immediately went down hill to my heart’s discontent. One thing I have learnt quickly, is on the Cotswold Way every decline is followed by steep inclines.

I passed trees with yellow arrows painted on them; a sign of the Camino! I took this as a good omen.

Once I reached the bottom of the woodland it was level for 3 miles until the first short, but fierce incline of the day to summit Cooper’s Hill. As I reached it the rain arrived. I was lucky to get an hour walk in the dry.

From here I had one other climb over Buckholt nature reserve before arriving into Painswick. I called into the local shop to buy a sandwich and snacks for the day.

I had lost sight of the way markers and got a little lost in the village before I grabbed my map and found the route again.

From Painswick, the path went down hill fast which only means an uphill is on its way, and it was there in front of me, taunting me. Once I reached the crest it was a gentle decline through woodland before reaching a country road.

I followed the road down about 1/4 of a mile before the path turned off and up a hill. But as I reached this, the forestry committee had blocked it off. Apparently due to the storms we had two weeks earlier had made this part unsafe.

The diversion was back up the road which eventually joined the Cotswold Way on the other side of the blocked off section. It was also a longer!

I eventually descended into Ryeford passing a vineyard (another reminder of the Camino) and crossing a canal, before I hit two very steep hills to reach Coaley Peak. Here I got my first look at Dursley in the distance.

I followed the ridge line of the hill before the descent into Dursley. At 1700hrs the sun had decided to show itself giving a pleasant stroll to the end of the day.

Today was harder on my feet as the terrain was hard under foot or very slippy cobble like stones that were wet and muddy. Hopefully tomorrow will be drier!