Start:  Middle Yard

Stop:  Wotten-Under-Edge

Mileage:  15.5

(I’m a bit behind due to lack of internet, but here’s the update on Day 6).

OK, it was a very long day today but another glorious one.  Have to say when hiking straight up one hill and then following our trail along the top of the escarpment only to be led back down another steep decline  on the other side is a bit exhausting.  We have come to know that when we are standing on the top staring across the valley to another high hill, you can bet our trail is going to go straight down and straight to the top of that thing!  Hour after hour  hiking through the prettiest woodlands i’ve ever seen and the most amazingly gorgeous views, there is still that moment when we see a tiny sign hidden in the brush pointing the way to our little home for the night that relief sets in.  To take boots off, peel layers of clothing off, and be able to take a hot shower or, even better hot bath on occasion, is the long-awaited reward at the end of the day!

We’ve met fantastic people either walking headed north up to Chipping Campden where we came from or passing by others on their way South to Bath, like us.  We’ve also met some pretty interesting folks in pubs where we eat as well.  They’ve  all been very friendly and because of our USA hats, often strike up a conversation with us asking where we are from and every single one of them so far has commented on their trip(s) to the U.S.  Some of the expressions I’ve come to appreciate are:

Of course, “Mind Your Step”

Blimey! (Geesh!)

fancy (to like something)

Well done!

Cheerio!  (good-bye)

Hiya! (Hi or Hello)

dodgy (He seems a bit dodgy to me.)

Brilliant!  (Great!  Good job!)

Bangers (sausage)

Chips (french fries)

shambles – a mess

crisps – potato chips

cuppa – cup of tea

mate – friend

cheers – bye

Ta – Thanks!

sorted – figured out

a bit dodgy – shifty

the telly – tv

bloke – a man

Rubbish – trash

reckon (my particular favorite, because in the South, we reckon on jest about everythang!

And, I finally figured out what one lady was asking me…she said to me, “You’ll be content to be about here pottering, won’t you, dear?”   Come to find out she meant just being comfortable, doing what I felt like doing, maybe some laundry or continuing to shift one thing either in the suitcase or out of it.  So, here’s to you, my dear mates, hope your day is filled with things you fancy, and hat you don’t encounter any dodgy chaps, and that your day is absolutely lovely!  Cheers!

t

First hill of the day…

another stunning forest…

we see the occasional pigs being raised for the amazing “bacon”… to us it’s what we call “Canadian bacon”…

cows…all shapes and sizes!

…at the top of one hill we passed by a bunch of guys with these beautiful gliders…

Millions of ferns are just starting to unfurl their leaves…

Are you even kidding me????  Couldn’t for once our trail go AROUND the hill?????

…and right into the hamlet of Dursley in time for lunch.

We are so headed there…to the village and the mountain beyond!

…through the cows….

…and up to the Tyndale Monument…William Tyndale who translated the Bible into English…New and Old Testaments.  “Tyndale declared, “I defy the Pope, and all his laws; and if God spares my life, I will cause the boy that drives the plow to know more of the Scriptures than the Pope himself!”

…and then finally we dropped down into Wotten-under-Edge, named because it’s literally right under the edge of the escarpment.

but not before encountering…yep, more sheep!