Miles walked: 14.75

Elevation Gain: 1,333 ft.

Accomodations: Bucks Head Inn

We met for breakfast at 8 am in Winchester and were sitting down for dinner at 6 pm in Meonstoke. In between were 14.75 miles (Not the twelve miles stated by Mickledore and our guidebook!) and many hills, expansive views,  birds, butterflies, and blooming flowers! The climbing today actually was never that bad, but the temperature did get up to almost 70 around noon. We ate our lunch in the shade of a tree on the path then just a few miles later stopped for cold drinks at a former dairy farm that is now catering to walkers, cyclists, and campers on the trail. Their facilities were just excellent with a little snack bar, toilets and showers, picnic tables and green grass everywhere. The last miles of our trip today seemed very long, and we arrived at the Bucks Head very tired!

The reason for the extra miles today was because the guidebook’s route out of Winchester included crossing a very busy freeway and we opted not to do that. So, with the aid of our maps and a helpful young man, we went up to an overpass and then had to find our way back to the path. We figured this added about two miles to the day. (I actually walked sixteen miles today because I went out for a walk before breakfast!)

One highlight of the day was when we met a young man on his farm. He told us about an archaeological area just after his farm. Then when we were almost up the next hill he came by in his pickup with his two young children and waited for us at the top of the hill. He took us a few feet off the trail to show us where archeologists and his family worked together to  reclaim a medieval dew pond. (An artificial pond that is usually on a hill and is situated so that dew collects in it.) We had quite an interesting talk, and he told us his children are the seventh generation of family to live there!

All in all, it was a good day. Tomorrow is supposed to be a little cooler, 14 miles, and more elevation. Here’s hoping we all get a good night’s sleep and wake up refreshed and not too stiff and sore!

• To Moreton-in-Marsh, April 29
• To Chipping Camden, April 28
• To Stanton, April 27
• To Winchcombe, April 26
• To Guiting Power, April 25