Wotton-under-Edge to Old Sodbury

Day 8

Walk distance: 13.2 miles

Total Ascent: 1,213 feet

I cannot start today's report without mentioning last night's accommodation and it's totally entertaining hostess.  We stayed at Grey Cottage in Leonard Stanley about two miles away from the route of the Cotswolds Way.  We were greeted with two gin and tonics, so we knew we we were in for a good night!This was easily the best B&B we have stayed in during our walk and was well worth the detour.  Rosie, the owner, is a sprightly 71 year old Irish lady who oozes with charisma and mischief!  She will proudly tell you she has won every award going, and her B&B is represented with glowing testimonials in the Good Hotel Guide.  

She has entertained parliamentarians, TV personalities, and members of the Royal Household, but has still found time to fly a helicopter! Rosie cooked a delightful candle-lit dinner for us. We had brought along a bottle of wine which we decided to share. Sometime later, regaled with her life stories, and  after several Cointreau's served in Rosie's special way, we retired to bed happy and content. If you should read this Rosie, thanks for a wonderful evening and "Slainte".

Rosie

We started Day 8 by driving back to Wotton then taking the bus to Chipping Sodbury. The very efficient and pleasant Tourist Information Office here organised a taxi for us to the start of the walk at Old Sodbury.  We walked this section in the reverse direction, which given the deteriorating weather turned out to be a good move.

In truth there is not much to say about the first 8 miles. The route is predominantly flat (a relief!) and follows an upland course across the fields. There is a massive Iron Age fort at Little Sodbury that historians will find of great interest on account of it's

Somerset monument still some 4 miles distant

extensive defences. The church at Little Sodbury is significant as the sermons heard here by William Tyndale were the source of his inspiration to translate the Bible into English. 

Little Sodbury Church

There is some pleasant parkland at Horton as the route passes within the Estate of Horton Court, a property dating back to the twelfth century now in the hands of the National Trust.  Further on there is a monument commemorating the achievements of

Monument to General Lord Somerset

General Lord Somerset during the Battle of Waterloo. We were fortunate to complete this open, windswept section whilst conditions were still dry.

Leaving the monument behind we entered a section of woodland just as the rain began to fall. Feeling weary we sought shelter under a large oak tree for some time but it was clear the rain had set in for the day so, begrudgingly we donned waterproofs and

The view from the top of Tor Hill

continued on passing the small community of Alderley. At a little over 10 miles we started the long ascent of Tor Hill, a steep climb that continued, unabated, for 1.5 miles.  Bang on cue, exhaustion set in, and by the top of the hill, agony definitely had the upper hand. The last two miles to Wotton, which included a steep downhill stretch on a slippery gravel track, made worse by the rain, were without doubt the most demanding miles of the whole walk.

 The last straw was when we arrived at our hotel, once used by the Queen as a refuge from a snowstorm, and the room smelled vile!  But that's another story!

Undeterred by the rain