DAY 3
No English breakfast at Koloshi – Indian boiled eggs, toast, cereal and a good coffee. Never forget the gaffa tape ! Today it is the difference between moving or not. Gary’s knee is now held together with half a roll of grey duct tape – it’s working well and we’re away.

Up through the Lineover Woods, over the stile, through the gate, across the field, down through another deep shady wood, over several stiles, through gate after gate across the fields of either barley or shoulder high stinging nettles and blackberries which brush against us leaving their calling cards of red welts. The au-naturale amenities with privacy only behind said stinging nettles has delivered burning welts in unmentionable places…

up Wistley Hill, down to Seven Springs, up Hartley Hill, up Leckhampton Hill – found the Devil’s Chimney

with amazing views over Cheltenham and the miles of valleys below – and down into Ullenwood.

With no sign of civilisation in sight, lunch was becoming a forbidden thought until we popped out of the trail at a sign to Star Bistro – a training facility for young people with special needs and various disabilities – it was the best meal! Asian beef salad, goats cheese omelette, wonderful home made bread and really good coffee AND toilets!
On our way … Up and along Crickley Hill country park with some lovely new friends – the chat and laughter made the uphill miles seem much shorter.

Up Crickley Hill … the sound of Traffic and the sight of the Air Balloon pub  meant that we needed to navigate a highway crossing – strange indeed and seemed to belong in another reality – curious indeed.

Up and up to the Peak and at last Birdlip – from the ancient “Bride Leap”?? – is in sight … Now – daylight holds out until at least 10.30 but we were fading fast and the Feather Pub was a welcome sight indeed. After some much needed refreshment we were whisked by taxi to St Anne’s B&B in Painswick. Our faithful luggage was always magically there to greet us. A quick shower – retro fitted into a wardrobe – we were careful not to go through the back of the wardrobe for fear of unwittingly going beyond! – our neighbours’ wardrobe was even smaller and they had great trouble manoeuvring in the confined space.

Tea at The Falcon – delicious – looking out over the topiaried Yew trees in rows in the clipped lawns – I’m sure that I could hear the vociferous Queen of Hearts’ “Off with her head!” through the pouring rain, but I couldn’t be sure.