Rambling Pete on Walking Places

The Cotswold Way 2011

Day Seven: 8th May

Weather: Overcast to start but finishing in bright sunshine

Route: Pennsylvania to Bath - 11.4 miles with 1734ft of ascent

The last day of another journey dawned grey and overcast, and I thought my luck was out. But the weather gods looked down kindly again, and I was spared but a few drops. I did find out that my Berghaus Paclite fits over the bumbag and zips up as well. Another good breakfast and I was out into an overcast but sunny day with a chill wind. I said my farewells at the B&B and crossed the not so busy A46 and passing across fields once more, with the wet red earth clumping on my soles – it peed down last night. I passed by the village pub, now closed – £40k a year and it’s yours - with signs pointing the way to the tea rooms at Folly Farm (just along the road and evening meals can be arranged via the B&B). I turned onto a fine gravel driveway which took me Into Cold Ashton village passing by some fine architecture (another church with tessellated stonework typical of the area) and a beautiful grand doorway to somewhere, before crossing the main road once more to walk along a back lane (Greenway Lane), the clouds threatening all the while. It was quite nice to walk on a quiet lane and not worry about wet boots and as I wanted to make good time this helped me along. There was a specialist nursery with some fine looking plants, but I strode on by as the way descended to the valley, passing another fish pond, fording a river, before rising up through the fields. The young bullocks were frisky today but a good wave and shout soon moved them away from the gate. Up above the grey skies had parted to let the sun shine down on me again, with a nice cooling breeze – apparently the rain clouds had decided to pass me by - it was very pleasant walking up the steady incline which I was used to by now, and didn't cause much breathlessness. Up on the top it was out onto a cobbled lane that led up to the fields where the final battle of Lansdown was in 1643 – Royalists v Parliamentarians – score draw I think, and no heads on spikes today. I had a think about tunes on my I-pod and decided to delete Keane – ‘why does it always rain on me’ as it doesn’t apply really. The limits of the battlefields are marked with blue painted posts with red flags of steel, and a small monument to Sir Bevil Grenville - who? Up on Hanging Hill there were good views down over the plains, right over to both of the Severn bridges – the haze of the past week gone, and also a couple more information boards and a stone plaque. The trig point up here was surrounded by nettles, so I felt sorry for anyone collecting these - sore legs for them. The way heads back along the promontory to Bath GC, with a sign to beware of golfers balls – I’m getting a bit wary of woods by now.

At the end of the course the path dropped down to skirt around the hillside, across pasture, and another hillfort to Bath racecourse – where I promptly started a Peter O’Sullivan impersonation and started to trot down by the rails – I pulled up shortly after I started, so wouldn’t have won anyway. I managed a good pace for me today and was soon closer to Bath city, and another good viewpoint at Prospect Stile. There are great views down over Round Hill, and I could see my end point at the Abbey in Bath - standing out proud above the surrounding buildings - but still a few miles away yet. A well defined path led me around the contours of Round Hill and more pasture beyond - with a big bull the other side of a small wire fence. It was quite pleasant walking the last bits of the rural paths but as I dropped further downhill the noise of the city started to intrude, and I was out into the streets of Bath. The route loses it’s way a little as it tries to skirt all the housing, plus the fact that a few of the signs had been twisted around, so I made my own way through Regency Bath and it’s beautiful houses including the Royal Crescent, and Victoria Park. Soon enough my last paces were taken as I rounded a corner to finish the Cotswold Way at the Abbey and Roman Baths. Another fine weeks walking, very enjoyable, different from what I am used too – did I say it was dry again? I managed a good pace of 3mph today and didn't feel rushed at all. Like all walks there is an end and the Abbey although busy was a good full stop.