Day 11 Last day on the Cotswolds - phew!

Tuesday 21 May

Cold Ashton to Bath (16 kms)

Where are those crackin' mornings you get in Australia?? Have woken up to yet another grey, damp day ... Last day of walking - I will be glad to get in but in the meantime I'm sure hoping this mist lifts!

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Well, I am in! I have arrived in Bath. I have walked 100 miles & am 'done'. Yay!!!!!!

It was a lovely walk. Beanies on again plus jackets. Kathryn, Regis and I set off just after 9 a.m. across the escarpment on yet another grey day, BUT it didn't rain!!!!

One big up and down through St Catherine's Valley. The rest went through fields; across an old battle-ground (Lansdowne - part of the Civil War).

We avoided being hit in the head as we criss-crossed a golf course; we admired the black-faced &and black-legged sheep; beautiful views across to the south and to Bath; through beech woods; buttercups in the green meadows; cattle with udders full of milk; people walking dogs; stinging nettles; and finally a descent into Bath; then a meandering track through the quieter (but very hilly!!) back streets of Bath over Primrose Hill and into the Royal Victoria Park where we met Our Friend who had managed to get himself completely lost in the car. 

We had lunch in the park and wished Regis "happy birthday" with a cake MF had bought.

MF now out to it on the bed (3.30 p.m.) - what a life!

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Later, we went for a wander around Bath. What a pretty city! Such wonderful Georgian architecture.

The River Avon flows through the centre and a number of attractive bridges span it. There are lots of nice shops and we enjoyed walking around with the sun eventually emerging from behind the clouds around 5 p.m. bathing everything in warmth and brightness. We visited the Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery established in the 7th century. It is very beautiful.

For dinner, we went to Jamie Oliver's. It was great. Tasty, fresh food, beautifully presented.