In January I signed up to walk the 102 miles of the Cotswold Way. The walks happen once a month and are well organised by R J Fitness and Coaching (my exceptionally talented friend's one-woman business). She plots and recce's the routes and we just turn up at the right time and place and walk. Each month the group varies in number, depending who has signed up that month. Not everyone can make the dates so catch-up walks are organised amongst ourselves.
This path has been stunning, with amazing views, interesting towers, hill forts and follies. We found some very welcome coffee stops and interesting picnic spots. The company has been charming (and sometimes includes someone's cute dog), the pace comfortable and the weather kind.
This month we set off from Wotton under Edge to Horton (11.1 miles). The terrain had changed from previous months, still lumpy of course but the escarpment is less obvious and we found ourselves on a few deep ravine-like paths, sheltered from the wind (which was a bit persistent) and surrounded by ferns. We still had some incredible views (I could see the Severn Bridge in the distance) and some rather charming sights like the Somerset Monument and flights of goldfinches swirling over our heads. The rain stayed away and we finished in one piece (The less said about the hold ups on the motorway to get home the better!😱)
I still have 4 sections to do before we reach Bath in December. Accommodation is booked for the celebratory weekend that will include the Christmas market and a well-earned spa.
First half marathon completed