The Cotswold Way 2011
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Introduction
In 2010 I reached new heights with my long distance walking, with 222 miles and lots of ascent completed on my ‘Wobbly Coast to Coast’ walk. For this year I’m
in for a little less mileage, and a lot further south in the beautiful Cotswolds. Honey coloured stone all the way and hopefully as with previous years in May good weather to boot. Talking of boots I'm walking this one in my first pair of fabric boots - Salomon Quest. They're a lot lighter than my usual leather boots and will do me for the summer walks. Time will tell if they are up to the rigours of scrambling up in the Lakeland fells, but so far so good.
I also decided to travel light and with the use of a 'bumbag'
and good weather - an unqualified success in my eyes - but
only if you have baggage transfer or are on a short LDP with
good washing facilities. I purchased a new compact camera
instead of lugging my heavy SLR up and down dale. Hence the
pictures are not as good as previous walks - mostly due to
getting used to the Sony - There will be a gear review on my
blog as to how travelling light helped me along the way.
The Geology and History
The geology along the way unsurprisingly consists mainly of the Cotswold Limestone. The honey coloured limestone gives that quintessentially 'English village' look, although it does vary in hue along the escarpment. Many of the old houses are built from this stone giving the villages and hamlets a lovely soft edge. History stretches back here to the Neolithic and there are many archaeological remnants along the stretch up to Roman times and beyond. No dramatic fells this year but plenty to look at and a fair amount of undulations.
The plan
Day zero:
Leave
Day one: Chipping Campden to Winchcombe. 16.6 miles. Ascent - 2260ft
Day two: Wander from Winchcombe to Charlton Kings. 12.8 miles. Ascent - 1804ft
Day three: Coast along to Painswick 17.1 miles. Ascent - 2692ft
Day four: Perambulate from Painswick to Nympsfield. 12.8 miles Ascent - 2795ft
Day five: Wobble along to Wortley (Wotton under Edge) 14.8 miles Ascent - 2564ft
Day six: Yee Haa - howdee to Pennsylvania. 16.1 miles. Ascent - 1963ft
Day seven: Bolt to Bath and then home to the north. 10.8 miles. Ascent - 1734ft