Day 11: Cold Ashton to Bath

Our final day of walking has arrived and Bath isn't far off, just 16km, a reasonably easy day's walking. Malcolm was willing to serve us breakfast at 7:30 so we got away not long after 8:00; a great beginning for a day predicted to be 24 degrees.

We were straight into the fields and narrow pathways between the fields, crossing over many taller stiles. I managed to get my foot caught around one of my poles as I was stepping over the stile and cried out in dismay, "I'm gone!" as I began to fall forward. Miraculously I managed to regain my composure, somehow getting my other pole into the ground quickly enough to regain my balance. This sign said it all!

At Hill Farm we saw poppies growing amongst the crop,

not sure why but they are a lovely bright sparkle along the edge. By the way, these crops that we thought were wheat aren't wheat at all, they are barley. We wandered through the grounds of another little church which was particularly lovely and past a grand homestead surrounded by another tall wall with a very grand doorway in it, where we spotted a great weathervane, very English.

The further we have walked the more the roses are coming out in bloom. They are just beautiful around the doorways and gates of the houses and fences. I have really enjoyed the colour of the flowers against the stone walls all along our walk. The gardens around so many of the houses are filled with colour and the old buildings sit beautifully against the rolling hills.

We walked through our first muddy patch today, not bad for ten days of walking.

A long gradual climb brought us to the top of Lansdown Hill, where the trail crosses the very field where the Battle of Lansdown took place in 1643. The area is clearly marked with orange 'flags' and informative sign boards. A monument stands near the fields and it seemed to inspire Graham and Allan to warfare.

As we have walked over the last 10 days we have often met a group of four America ladies who have been taking the same journey as us. As we were sitting taking a morning tea break they came along again and offered to take our photo. It has been great to get to know Barbara, June, Amy and Cathy.

It amazing how many golf courses we have walked past during the walk. Today's was a beautiful course and was very busy with many enjoying the beautiful first day of Summer. Strange creatures were emerging from a field, perhaps a creative farmer lives here.

The countryside has been beautiful the whole walk and now we were looking at towns dotted all around these lovely hills. We stood looking at Bath and thought we still had a long way to walk, it seemed very distant. What a relief when we discovered that we were looking at Bristol; it was a long way off! Around another corner and there was Bath and a very strategically placed seat waiting for us to sit down and appreciate the view while eating lunch.

Down another hill and into Weston where we staggered into a cafe and enjoyed a cold refreshing drink before the last couple of miles, and you guessed it, another hill! It was a killer! And there she was - Bath, beautiful Bath. It was fantastic to see England on a warm summer's day. The people were out in great numbers, playing games, picnicking in the sun, without hats, just loving the sunshine. There appeared to be music happening on many streets and lots of people celebrating the beginning of summer, after at it might only last one day!

We walked to the Abbey and marked the end of our Cotswolds Way walk by putting our feet on the golden acorn, the symbol of the end of the walk. Eventually we found our B&B for the next two nights, The Kennard.