Photograph Gallery Stage 56 Chipping Campden to Winchcombe : Walking Englishman's 1000 Mile Walk

Photograph Gallery Stage 56 Chipping Campden to Winchcombe

Posted by Mike on Saturday, September 10, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Photograph Gallery Stage 56 Chipping Campden to Winchcombe, Tuesday 19th July 2011

The Story:

I had been looking forward to the Cotswold Way ever since I planned the 1000 mile walk. Today I began it with a spectacular walk down the high street of Chipping Campden with its sand coloured buildings of incredible beauty. Cotswold stone is unique, a colour like no other. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t as pleasant as the surroundings and although it was not raining as I walked uphill to Dover’s Hill the skies were black and ominous. I did manage to reach the trig point on Dover’s Hill dry the views over miles were not there, a dark low sky crammed everything in. After leaving Dover’s Hill I began walking along the generous bridleways of Mile Drive. As I did the drizzle began, by the end of Mile Drive it was steady rain. Next point of call was Fish Hill where signboards also promised me beautiful views. Again the low cloud and rain didn’t allow it. After Fish Hill I walked in cloud to Broadway Tower, a small castle and I was almost at it before I saw it. The weather remained dismal as I walked downhill to Broadway and only as I lost height did a glimmer of brightness appear. Remarkably as I reached the village the sun came out, only briefly but at least the rain relented as I walked through the picturesque main street. I momentarily thought of calling into a teashop for a coffee but I was beaten to it by a bus load of mature Scottish tourists. I pressed on.

The brief interlude of fair weather only lasted while I was low for as I climbed from Broadway to Burnhill the drizzle returned and although there were brief respites it wasn’t ever far away. I continued on to Manor Farm and at last a spell of fair weather arrived. Cue for a break which I took while looking around at the fantastic Cotswold landscape. It remained dry, more brief spells of sun and blue sky came. I was heartened.

I really enjoyed the next hours walking to Stanton and then to Stanway, two quiet beautiful Cotswold villages. I am already wowwed by them. After Stanway I began crossing two fields to Wood Stanway. As I reached the second one I was greeted by a sign ‘Bull in Field’ but my fears were relieved when I spotted him in the adjoining field. I was safe….. no I wasn’t, I was from the bull but not from the storm. The sky went black terribly quickly and threw down torrential rain immediately. I hid behind a small tree but it was no good, I had to get to a large oak 30 yards away. I hobbled over as fast as I could and took an impromptu break for 30 minutes until it relented. It was a whopper and caused the cancellation of Didbrook Junior School sports day, confirmed to me by two teachers as I walked past soon after. From Didbrook I was on my final miles to Winchcombe but before I reached the town I had a very humorous moment. While beginning the crossing of a field of oilseed rape with a permissive path in the middle I saw a couple of walkers in front of me, slipping and sliding all over the place. They were 100 yards ahead of me, over half way across the field but they were clearly in some difficulty. As I began to cross the field I realised why as the rain had put a very slippy surface on the hard foot trodden clay, creating what resembled an ice rink. Fortunately my poles helped me keep my balance and with their help I caught the couple before we left the field. Believe me, Torvill and Dean would have struggled to look graceful on that surface. The couple and I had a right laugh about it after we had cleared the field. Afterwards my approach to Winchcombe was straightforward. I am hoping for better weather tomorrow; alas the forecast is not good.

Meandering Mikes Daily Marks:

Scenery: 5/10 – The weather put paid to outstanding views but the villages were extremely pretty.

History: 2/10 – I passed an old abbey. Not much otherwise.

Interest: 3/10 – My interest was in finishing, thanks to the weather.

Track: 9/10 – Nearly a 10! Signs are brilliant, GPS practically redundant, no meandering. One mark lost for the treacherous field.

The Photographs