Last day.

Well here we are at the end of a fantastic experience. All the lovelly views are behind up and we have a 15 mile walk along the river banks and dykes of Lincs. Cold but dry start to our last day.

Stamford

Stamford

Ah, such happy memories.

What weather'

After the summer we had I did not expect our 6 week walk to be so blessed with such glorious sunshine. The tiny county of Rutland is at its best in this bright, clear light. Stella and Brian came up trumps again with a warm welcome and a get together with old friends in the 'Nag and Bag' and Kate and Clive were as amusing and hospitable as always last night.

Monday

Only 5 days to do after today. A dull, wet and drizzly morning for walking 5 miles along the Brampton Valley disused railway line. No pub for lunch so tea and rolls by the side of a country lane in Brampton Ash. On to Weston By Welland this afternoon. Staying with Stella and Brian tonight and going to The Nag and Bag tonight. That brings back memories of happy Thursday Lunchtimes at North Luffenham!

Sunday 19th Oct

Yesterday was another lovely, if chilly, day. These stocks at Eydon remind you of less tolerant days gone by. Went to Nether Hayford for accommodation. Going to Maidwell tonight.

Friday17th

What a sunset last night! Almost matched by sunrise this morning. Got another 20 pounds in donations today. This is the lovely village of Warminster where we are stopping for lunch.

Thurs

Losing track of the date now but who cares on such a beautiful morning. We left Bourton On The Water in warm sunshine. The breeze is keeping it fresh on the hills though. Now approaching Upper Oddington and almost near Banbury by tonight.

Wed 15 Oct

No photos today as it is too grey and miserable to take any. The walk from Cirencester to Cold Aston is mostly uphill and goes through the site of the Roman Villa at Chedworth. Overnighting off-route at Bourton on the Water tonight. Still on schedule to get back to Boston on Sat 25 Oct.

Sunset

Last night from the BnB on the farm.

Monday 14th Oct

Westonbirt at its best. The autumn colours take your breath away. The yellows are like a halogen light against the bottle green of the hollies and the deep red of the maple leaves moving in the breeze look like flames flickering in the fire. The leaves really are carpeting the ground and falling like snowflakes!

Sunday

A foggy start today and the sun has not yet appeared. This is Castle Combe on a misty autumn Sunday lunchtime.

Sat 11 Oct

What better way to spend a sunny autumn day than walking along the canal and river in Bradford on Avon?

Counting off the counties

Dorset is far behind us and we are well into the cider county of Somerset - by tonight we will be in Wiltshire. However from this sign you Could be forgiven for thinking we were in the South Atlantic!

Fri 10 Oct

Walking through this beautiful landscape it is too easy to push through looking only at the map and your footing (taking care not to fall down rabbit holes or in cow pats!) and to miss the delightful scenes such as this lovely pack-horse bridge.

Thursday 9 Oct

This morning reminded me ofsouth island New Zealand. The hilltops were peeking out from the top of the mist and the valleys in between were filled with silver-white mist, shining in the brilliant sunshine. The boys from Kings School, Bruton were filing across to church with their masters in gowns and mortar boards.

Sherborne

Much better seen in the sunshine - as it is today.

Wed 8 Oct

What a contrast to yesterday! Warm sunshine and little breeze to walk in today. There was a rainbow overhead as we set off this morning. Tea break at Yetminster, now on to Sherborne for lunch.

Abbotsbury

Arrived in Abbotsbury at 12. 30 Monday after a 2 day rest break. Dull and damp day. We added our names to the Macmillan Way log book along with comments. Am at present sitting looking down along the whole length of The Fleet on Chesil Beach and thinking of good times with Brenda.

Friday 3 Oct

Greta and Ian joined us for a meal last night and we had a lovely time. I spoke to my nephew Drew's wife Christina about my foot pain (she is a sport physiotherapist) and she gave me some advice, exercises and massage to do. This morning I was walking without a limp and with little pain. By 11am the pain was returning and when we set off after lunch I Could hardly walk. I took some more brufen and hoped it would ease but it did not and after 4 excrutiating miles in only 2 hours I had to admit defeat. I am going to take a few days off, go back to collect my car and act as logistics support, carrying bags and taxi- ing to/from accommodation. When my foot has had time to rest I will resume the walk.

Thurs 2 Oct

Only 11.2 miles today but probably my favourite part of the walk - along the Corton Ridge. The view is amazing. The air was clear and crisp with a bracing wind. The angle of the path did my injured foot no favours though. Had a lovely long lunch in a country pub in Sandford Orcas! Only 31 miles to Abbotsbury.

1 Oct pm

Walked from Redlynch to North Cadbury today. A total of 12.2 miles. Stopped in Castle Carey for a longer lunch break than usual! Some breath taking views as we climbed the hill after lunch, along with strong winds and a rainbow. A difficult walk traversing one steep hill. On the whole a good, dry day's walk.

30 Sept

Walked 15.3 miles, mainly through the forest today. Got very wet in the morning but dried out in wind later. Had to go off route 4 accommodation, again! Yesterday got 20 pounds donation, day before 30 pounds! We looked 4 the eagle owl in the forest but did not see it this time.