Meeting up with Neil & Teresa at Brdwy

Woke up at 7:45am with a start - Joe had forgotten to press Save on the alarm! Within 20 minutes, we were all packed, dressed, and back in the pub for breakfast, having delivered our backpacks to the pick-up point at the bottom of the stairs.

Michael, the host, joined in for conversation towards the end of the meal (traditional English for Joe, scrambled eggs & smoked salmon on toast for me). It turns out the first American football game he ever saw was the Seahawks, and he's still a big fan. He's also an advanced sommelier, so we talked wine for a bit. He knew the place we're staying tonight, and recommended the Cotswolds Distillery (whiskey and gin) across the street from ot.

Set out about 10am, but went first to the plaque in the ground that marks the official start of the Cotswold Way, near the old marketplace.

It was a lovely walk under sunny skies through sheep pastures, woodlands, plowed fields full of stubble and stones (and some kale! Ask us how we know 😊), gradually gaining 650' of elevation. At one point, I needed a rest, so sketched some, and then I was good to go again.

We were just about to crest the last hill when who should appear on the other side of the gate but Teresa & Neil Vincer, friends from our last UK walk, the Cleveland Way in 2023. Quite a joyful reunion! When they had learned from Eric that we were coming, they decided to drive the 160 miles from their home in Kent to meet us here near the Broadway Tower. So it was perfect.

We had a lovely - and long - rest and catch-up at the café with tea and cakes (lemonade and leftovers from breakfast for me, just lemonade for Joe). The other 4 decided to climb the tower (from which you can see some 17 counties, and into Wales on a clear day), but since I descend slowly and was terrified of the segment's reputation as "steep," remembering some segments of the Cleveland Way up north, Joe & I started down.

It was so beautiful, and not at all terrifying, so I'm feeling much more encouraged by the walk today. I still think I'll keep to my self-set limit of about 8 miles per day to allow sketching time, but I'm now much more optimistic about this walk.

We landed in the town of Broadway and are staying at the SUPER FANCY Lygon Arms - look it up. Im am certain we have NEVER stayed any place as posh. Everything is 17th century this and 18th century that. The horse chestnut tree in the courtyard is over 100 years old.

Off to dinner in a bit with the others. Will report more then.

21.6k👣
6.4 mi (according to All Trails)
145 min 💛Читать далее