Bus Stop I Spy!

I woke up to the sound of rain, which didn't fill me with joy. I checked the weather app on my phone, and yep rain followed by more rain. In fact I had a moment  where I debated cancelling today's walk and just getting the train back from Cheltenam! No, I thought stay positive, I've been so lucky with the weather up until now, man up a bit and get on with it. This is supposed to be a challenge not a Sunday stroll in the park! After a lovely breakfast from my Airbnb host off I went, bus back to Northleach and then picked up the trail again in Hampnett.

All signs of rain were gone, in fact the one and only downpour came in the afternoon just as I passed Perrott's Brook Farm, where the farmer had very kindly erected a hay barn in the perfect spot for me to sit out the heaviest part of the shower, the gods were with me.  

Today's walk was the last of this section, and I'd decided to take the option of walking to Cirencester. The guide book offers a few deviations from the main route, and this one suited me well as it would enable me to get the train back home from Cirencsester (well Kemble). Just for the record the alternative route is exactly the same mileage as the main route, so I'm not pulling a fast one (well a slow one at my walking pace).

Perfect spot for lunch

I quite enjoyed this route as it followed the river Churn, and I found a perfect spot for lunch, at the side of the river, in some lovely meadow land. I could have sat there all day listening to the running water and birds singing, but those rain clouds were building on the horizon!

I eventually made it to Cirencester, where bus travel is clearly not the done thing, I was struggling to find where to catch the bus to the train station in Kemble, and despite asking several people, including a bus driver, I wasn't having much success. One lady, as if we were playing a game of I spy, pointed out a bus stop to me, when I said, "so the bus to the train station stops there?" she replied "oh I don't know dear, I don't catch the bus" maybe she thought there was just one bus that called at every stop and just went round in circles!

Anyway perseverance paid off, I found the bus stop, for anyone who is following a similar approach to me, its the 882, operated by Pulhams Coaches from South Street, opposite the Forum car park. I wish I'd got that 'dear' lady's address I could have posted the information on to her! I got on the bus, then,  just as we were setting off the bus broke down, which caused some great commotion amongst my fellow  passengers, but for me I was just grateful to be sat down and wait it out for the next bus.

Shelter from the storm

It's been a great 4 days walking, I've really enjoyed it . I've met some lovely people at my stopovers and on my walk. There have been some contrasting moments, crossing the M40 was one, you can hear the noise from  a good distance, you suddenly come across the motorway, then as quickly as you cross it you walk back into the peaceful tranquillity of the countryside. I can walk for miles without seeing anyone, I feel so far from the hustle and bustle of life and yet I'm never that far away from civilisation.

So with a successful 51 'official' miles in the bag, bringing the total to 165, it was the train from Kemble station to Paddington, then Kings Cross to Peterborough. Home, a bath, a chat with Oscar the dog (and my wife of course) and then start the planning for the next walk.

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