Miles walked: 7.2

Elevation gain: 675 ft.

Accommodations: The Sheep on Sheep Street

As far as I am concerned, today was a perfect day. We are back in the landscape I love best. The great thing about this loop we are doing is that the mileage each day will be low enough that we can take our time on the trails and enjoy the villages and sights along the way.

Last night, the rain pounding on the roof woke me up about 1:30, but I had faith in the weather forecast and went back to sleep. Sure enough, it did not rain on us the whole day. It was overcast and chilly, with the sun peeping out just once in a while in the afternoon, but that is perfect hiking weather to me. I was using a map app today and since I was taking so many photos, my battery started getting low. I had to use David’s phone for pictures in the afternoon.

We left Moreton-in-Marsh about 9:45, after a trip to a bakery for something for our lunches.  We soon started experiencing all the things that make me love the Cotswolds. The birds were singing, flowers were blooming, and there were fields full of ewes and their young lambs. One set of twins were so newborn, they still had a little amniotic fluid on them and the placenta was hanging from the ewe. The trees are starting to leaf out now and we walked through several green tunnels.

Parts of our path today followed along another well-known trail, Monarch’s Way, and The Heart of England Trail. Other times, we just followed country roads or other public footpaths.

About 11:30 we reached the little village of Longborough. These villages are so picturesque and just invite you to linger. We found the Village Shop and Cafe and sat in their little garden out back to have our lunch. We asked and they said as long as we bought something, we could eat our sandwiches we brought with us. I had no trouble buying a piece of Victoria sponge cake to eat there and a millionaire shortbread to take with me! 

We continued our walk through farmers’ fields, down paths lined with bluebells and gnarly trees, and best of all, gentle ups and downs. It felt like just a stroll today. We passed by a hamlet called Donnington and a huge mansion. I’ve looked online for information about it but have been unable to find anything about it.

We reached the village of Broadwell about 2:00. As we passed through, we came upon a rather large green and playground that had benches placed conveniently around the edge. Since we had plenty of time, we sat down for a break. A couple of young boys were practicing at a soccer goal net and an occasional car passed by. It was a thoroughly pleasant break. As I think I have said, I love these small Cotswold villages.

We arrived in Stow-on -the-Wold just before 3:00. Our rooms here are very, very nice! Getting our suitcases up the hellish stairs was an experience, though. First there was a spiral staircase, then we went to the end of the corridor and had another flight of steep, narrow steps. At the top, you have to be careful not to bump your head on the ceiling. Once in the room, though, you see that it was well worth the struggle!

The contrast between this area and the South Downs Way is hard to explain. Maybe it is just me, but the walk today and the villages are so different from the South Downs. I’m not sorry to have done the South Downs, but I think I am going to enjoy this walk much more. It has a different feel already. I can’t think of adequate words to describe it, but so far cozy comes to mind.

• To Moreton-in-Marsh, April 29
• To Chipping Camden, April 28
• To Stanton, April 27
• To Winchcombe, April 26
• To Guiting Power, April 25
• To Bourton-on-the-Water, April 24
• To Stow-on-the-Wold, April 23
• A Rest Day and a Train Trip to Remember, April 21-22
• To Eastbourne, April 20
• To Alfriston, April 19
• To Kingston/Lewes, April 18
• To Poynings, April 17
• To Bramber/Upper Beeding, April 16
• Rest Day in Amberley
• To Amberley, April 14
• To Cocking, April 13
• To Buriton, April 12
• To Meonstoke, April 11
• Winchester, April 10
• Winchester, April 9
• To Winchester, April 7-8