Day 2

 I slept quite well considering it was my first night under canvas. I’d invested in some ear plugs and an eye mask, meaning I didn’t get woken up by the dawn chorus or sunrise. 

I packed up and set off at 8:45 for the 2 mile walk into Winchcombe, where I had a breakfast bap at a cafe. In comparison to yesterday’s towns/villages, Winchcombe was nothing to write home about! Yes there were some quaint bits, but parts were quite tatty. 

After Winchcombe, there was a steep 200m ( 650ft) climb up to Belas Knap Long Barrow. I had a good chat with various walkers on the way up. Firstly an Australian couple, who were also doing the CW and also a local man from Cleeve, which made the  climb more endurable! The views on the way up were worth it. 

There was a short walk along the plateau before a descent through the woods into Postlip. 

Of course, what goes down must go back up again!

There was then a steep climb up to Cleeve Common, although thankfully the CW didn’t go right up to the summit. Luckily, Cleeve Hill Golf Club (Flynn’s on the Hill) cafe was on the route, so I stopped and had a tuna panini for lunch. 

After lunch, the path took me around Cleeve Common, with far reaching views down onto Cheltenham and the racecourse. 

There then was a twisty path along the tops above Prestbury with not much to look at. By this stage I was running on empty, so had to have a can of ‘man up’ and plod on! 

I am now writing this blog in an Oasis that appeared on the horizon! In the middle of nowhere, is basically a farmyard on the side of the A40. Except it is no ordinary farmyard. It is Dunkertons Park, which is home to a food court, as well as Daylesford Farm Shop and a Holland Cooper Boutique for the rich &famous. The food hall is like something you would get in the West End! 

There are at least 7 different fast food outlets (no McDonalds/ Burger King sh*t), so it is definitely worth a 200m detour from the CW. There is also a bar and the rugby on a giant screen and appears to be the place to be in Cheltenham on a Sunday evening. I feel slightly underdressed but who cares. Guess where I’ll be for the next couple of hours! 

If I make it out of here, I’ve got a steep climb up to Wistley Grove, where I’ve managed to blag the owners of Big Skies Cotswold Glamping let me pitch my tent, even though the site isn’t officially open until May 1st! 

Update: I made it to my campsite at Big Skies. It was a tough slog up Ravensgate Hill but a nice view back down onto Cheltenham. 

I was met by the charming warden, who gone to the effort of mowing a patch of grass for me and placing a picnic bench for me to use. Considering the campsite isn’t officially open, I was very impressed with that. service. I’ve had a lovely hot shower and am now sitting in their rest room. 

So, another 16 miles done today. Feet are fine but a few minor aches.