12th August 2012 Chedworth, Glos

Seven Tuns

This was a repeat Sunday walk with Robin - see previous walk on 29th January 2012 for more info. Liz and Mike must have known what the weather was going to do as they made their early morning excuses! Objective was to reach the Seven Tuns pub in Chedworth in a reasonable time where Jools would pick us up.

Seven Tuns Chedworth GL54 4AE

Jools took Robin and I to the start point at  a spot near Kilkenny, just off the A436. We walked up the road a little and then crossed into fields to our left as we reached the top of the hill. Muggy, cloudy but no rain as yet!

We then followed the walls on our right, noting that dry stone walls were currently being repaired with neat piles of new Cotswold stone left at points along the track. It was at this point that the rain started, slowly at first so Robin used his trusty travel umbrella a la Nick Crane. I persisted in tee shirt but as the rain became more persistent, we stopped and I donned the dreaded anorak. Unlike the previous walk when there had been lots of fog, we had good views to the left as we passed gates and horse jumps along the way. Part of the track had been recently used by horses and the track had deteriorated somewhat. The track was boggy and filthy in places and much to Robin's disgust, our boots became covered and overloaded with mud.

Robin in churchyard

We progressed with Withington village on our left, crossing the two main tarmac entries to the village until we entered the comparative shelter of Withington Woods. However, the rain was still persistent and the trees dripped on us the whole way through. We looked for deer in the woods, but none! We crossed the tarmac again and took more shelter in the trees before crossing the into the old disused airfield, a relic from WWII. We crossed the runways, into fields, passing the picturesque cricket club and then gently down towards the village church at Chedworth.

Chedworth at last!

We went through the churchyard, passing houses on the left and arrived at the Seven Tuns a great little pub. We paused only to change tee shirts and repack bags before getting into the bar for a well earned drink. Six miles in two hours, not too shabby across rough terrain and in a monsoon. Robin's umbrella served him well and my newly proofed anorak worked OK, but no more, just OK. My boots are still drying out.

Next walk Wednesday.

An OS view of the walk is below, courtesy of QUO digital mapping/OS