Today was perfect walking weather and we followed the Monarch Way rather than the Cotswold Way, through fields, footpaths and lanes. The terrain was varied, and at times we had to fight our way through overgrown paths and yes, more mud! Today we crossed the M4, which to us is a milestone. We were glad to find two pubs on our route, so we were able to stop for refreshments and a late lunch. We stayed at a B & B up above the small village of Old Sodbury.

A Backward Glance

Todays walk started easy but not very interesting, followed by narrow muddy lanes between high dense hedgerows, changing to steep stream beds of rock and mud running with about an inch or two of water. However, as the sun broke through the clouds above us, we broke through the murkiness below and onto ‘Monarch’s Way’ and more beautiful countryside, some paths taking us through large grounds (property of the wealthy locals) and others through fields of cattle with quagmires of mud surrounding gates we had to get through. We met an interesting chap named Tony Webb tending the lawns of one estate we were tramping across. He gave us a potted history of the area and the changes money was making; he knew everything about different kinds of walking boots and had cycled the ‘end to end’ in ten days! He was a walker and a walking encyclopaedia and difficult not to spend hours chatting with. Later, on the ‘Monarch’s Way’ in a bejewelled land I saw a peacock straddling a lion’s yellow mane looking as regal as any monarch. For eyes that can see, a glimpse at the extravagant unmanufactured glory of heaven itself. Did you know Butterflies are named after their poo, which looks like butter?