Walking the Cotswold Way 2021
Our mum turned 80 this year and she is quite an adventurer, regularly hiking around
the local hills. She set herself a new challenge, and we joined her trip starting at
Chipping Campden in April. Surrounded by the pretty historic honeycomb cottages
and townhouses we made our way up Dover hill. The aerial views are stunning of the
3 counties and beyond. We made our way into Broadway stopping for ice creams in
the spring sunshine. A few weeks later we continued our walk into Stanway and
enjoyed the wide-open spring fields and Cotswold hamlets. Our next hike into
Winchcombe was followed by a steep hill up towards Bela’s Knapp, where we
stopped for a picnic. We continued towards Cleeve hill on a beautiful hot day,
pleasantly surprised by many other walkers and DoE students. The wildlife reserve
was a lovely highlight, and we dropped down the hill into Dowdeswell, past the
reservoir, and back up hill to arrive at Leckhampton common. It occurred to us that
after all the years we have lived here, we never cease to be astounded by the
delightful panoramic views of Cheltenham and the Malverns beyond. Later we made
our way to the Star College, and it was our first downfall of rain, so we’d been very
lucky. We got to Crickley Hill, and sat in awe of the circumference of hills we had
walked, and the sheer beauty of it. Onward, we trekked to Coopers hill land of the
famous Gloucester Cheese Rolling, and believe me it is as steep as it looks. And yet, a
sight to behold, with Painswick Beacon becoming us on. We passed an ancient
monument stone that we never knew had existed, it is so tucked away. A Cotswold
stone carved to commemorate the Civil War and the Siege of Gloucester, of which we
can just about make out some of the wording as it has faded. As we proceeded into
Painswick town with our weary legs, we found a delicious coffee van perched on the
edge of the beacon. A real find. Steadily back uphill to Edge we finally passed the half
way point of the Cotswold Way. Such an uplifting moment, especially to see our mum
so chuffed to have made it that far. So, we treated ourselves to a tasty Sunday lunch
at the Edgmoor Inn, they even had a fab nut roast for me vegan – Smiles all round!!
Amanda Tarren
