Birdlip - Painswick. Cheese Roll Hill

Another beautiful showery and sunny day. Unusual for the path so far, we were mostly in the woods.

Jenina served a wonderful English breakfast (with French press coffee). Our 9am taxi took us back to where we left off yesterday, and since we were heading back to the same accommodations, we didn't need to pack up our bags this morning. Luxurious!

We started walking around 9:30 and used our maps to figure out a path to the CW that would avoid the Hill of Doom we all climbed yesterday. It was a bit scary for me, but by the time J, A & E came, it was rush hour, and there was no place to step off the road. Today's side trail was just the thing.

Since it was a shorter day (about 7 miles), we all started off together. Today's section was unusual in that almost all of it was through the woods. It was nice to be somewhat sheltered from the cloudbursts. And when it was sunny, it was nice & cool.

The really interesting landmark today was Cooper's Hill, which is famous for its cheese roll event. They throw a wheel of cheese down from the top of this very steep hill, and contestants chase it to the bottom. The first one down wins the cheese. 🤣 We heard a story of a woman who woke up in the ER with a concussion being told that she was that year's winner!

We took a super steep side trail to the top. Joe figures it was about 500' gain (or loss for the contestants) in about a 1/4 mile! Some Brits on the path summed up the event: "Mental."

Then we were back in the woods. By this time, A&E were well ahead, but it was a nice contrast with the 2 days walking alone to be able to travel with Joe.

When we caught up to them, they were well into conversation with 2 guys from South Wales Darrall and David. Such conversationalists!!

Interesting to me was the prehistory of this area and the groups that came through from different areas in Northern Europe: the Saxons from N. Germany, the Jutes (from Denmark's Jutland), the Vikings from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and that was in addition to the Celts, the Picts, and others.

We must have chatted for an hour there at the crossroads in the woods before we started walking again, the 4 of us with D&D, until their turn-off from the CW. After that, it was mostly downhill, I think.

The CW let us out onto the Painswick Golf Course, where we were advised to avoid the center route so as to reduce the chances of being hit by a golf ball. 😬 I can see why folks love golfing, though. It's beautiful being surrounded by all that green.

By the time we crossed out of the golf course, I could tell I was losing steam. We hadn't eaten or sat in a while. So I was glad it was just another half hour or so. You could see and feel the next storm blowing in. Just as the heavens opened, we stopped by a small corner grocery that was PACKED to the gills with all sorts of necessities. And then it was 5 minutes till we were back "home" for showers, laundry, and a little time to stretch out. Just like I like it: rolling in around 3pm.

Dinner at the Falcon Inn tonight at 6. (Burger for me, haddock fish and chips for Joe. Shared an apple tart eating for dessert.) We had hoped to go see the Gloucester Cathedral, but they close early on Saturdays, and the transportation would have been lengthy. 😒

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