We start the Cotswold Way walk

Saturday 11 May

Chipping Campden to Broadway (9.5 kms)

We were up early at 5.30 a.m. to pack in readiness to leave Oxford and travel to Chipping Campden to start the Cotswold Way walk. We dropped off our non-walking gear at Kathryn's place at 7.30 a.m. and said goodbye to her. She was a bit sleepy having gone to bed about 1 a.m. due to her studies.

My goodness me. We didn't have a minute to spare - despite careful planning! We left the B&B at 8.35 a.m. after another delicious breakfast (OK, so 5 mins later than planned, but I'd sort of allowed for that and  5 minutes late is pretty good by our standards!).

We walked the roughly 2.5 kms or so into Oxford and by 9 a.m. were walking past the Gloucester Green bus station and not far from the railway station.

When we got to the station there was no-one waiting at the window so we quickly bought our tickets there. But by the time we then fart-arsed around working out which platform, etc. and walked over the footbridge to no. 2 platform, the train came in about 2 mins later - and (by MY watch) left about a minute early!!!

Anyway, we arrived at Moreton-in-Marsh and had a coffee in the attractive little Cotswolds town before catching a bus (with a very cranky bus driver; Alan: you could show them a thing or two over here!) to Chipping Campden where the Cotswold Way starts. 

Chipping Campden, like so many of the Cotswold towns we were to visit along the way, is very pretty.

Anyway, the idea is to walk 100 miles from Chipping Campden to Bath:

We had a little wander around the village (after farewelling other walkers we had met on the bus) and then, lo & behold: we happened upon a group of Morris Dancers who proceeded to demonstrate their skills!

These men (of all ages) were having the best time today, travelling from town to town and enjoying a pint or two - or three! - as they went. It was great entertainment for us - and such a wonderful way to start our walk!

We set off to walk to Broadway about 9.5 kms away (or 6 miles if you are English) and enjoyed scenic views, flocks of sheep with lots of lambs, woods of ash, climbs and descents, laneways, open meadows and fields, sun interspersed with rain and wind. Or was that rain and wind interspersed with sun?

We walked with 3 layers plus a raincoat and umbrella and gloves. You need to know: it is bloody cold here (if I haven't told you that already!).

Close to Broadway, we came upon Broadway Tower which is a folly commissioned by Capability Brown, a famous English landscape architect. It was also the home for a time of William Morris who I mentioned yesterday for his lovely tapestry in Exeter College in Oxford. 

Broadway Tower is one of England's outstanding viewpoints and at 1024 feet (312 m) above sea level, it is the second highest point on the Cotswold escarpment. Unrivalled views survey an expanse of a 62 mile radius and as many as 16 Counties.

As we descended into Broadway, we had lovely sun and we walked through flocks of black-faced sheep. Just lovely.

Our B&B is nice; just had a shower. Looks like rain coming in again. Will shortly head out to check out the town.

....................................

Broadway is known as the "Jewel of the Cotswolds", noted for its honey-coloured houses. It certainly IS very pretty. We bought a scarf for MF and a beanie for me. We certainly seem to have underestimated how cold it could be here ...

Broadway, along with Moreton-in-Marsh and Chipping Campden were among six market towns developed after the Norman Conquest. The Lygon Arms here is very historical with King Charles I & Oliver Cromwell having stayed here.

We had dinner at one of the local pubs, The Swan. We notice that people are allowed to bring dogs into the pubs here. One fellow (married to an Australian!) had a lovely Staffordshire Terrier. Hey my Dave: have a look at this photo: she looked SO like Mieka, I couldn't stop patting her!

Anyway, we fell into bed early unable to stay awake any longer. It's still light here at 9 p.m. (Could be later; I wouldn't know because I was asleep!).