Day 4 Dowdeswell Reservoir to Painswick

Well it was the longest day today in more ways than one. At least 18 miles to do before we reached our next goal. We set off at 8.30 after an early breakfast and for the first hour or so umbrellas were up as the rain came down gently. It was still quite warm though and not windy. The boring bit on the road back to Dowdeswell Reservoir soon passed and it wasn't long before we were climbing up on to the escarpment where the rain stopped and we had a coffee break at Hartley Hill overlooking Cheltenham.

Next on to Leckhampton Hill where the trig point was painted a delicate shade of green, and then past the Devil's Chimney, a limestone rock formation.

Then onwards to Crickley Hill for lunch passing on the way a new stately home. There's plenty of money in these parts.

We stopped for lunch at Crickley Hill country park and had a magnificent seat with a view, except it was still  so murky in the valley below I haven't got any photos. We could see the M5, a dry ski slope and the Malverns in the far distance and also May Hill that we kept in our sights for the next few days.

We still had 8 miles to do after lunch so we didn't linger for long and continued round the escarpment until we dropped down to a very busy roundabout near the Air Balloon pub. Thankfully once we had negotiated the busy roads it wasn't long before we entered woodland and we breathed a sigh of relief.....but not for long.

This was forestry commission territory and they were busy moving timber. The wide track was rutted in deep grooves and muddy and very hard to walk on. This went on for miles and slowed our progress. On the plus side a short shower while we were in woodland didn't reach us so we remained dry. We were very relieved when we left that wood behind us.

Next stop was Cooper's Hill where the cheese rolling used to take place until Health and Safety stepped in to stop it. We were hoping for a cup of tea before then but the cafe had now closed down so we pressed on up the hill and had a rest at the top.

More woods and then a golf course before we reached Painswick Beacon, not strictly on the route but you can't pass it by can you? We were getting a bit tired by this time.

Down in Painswick we found our B&B, a 400 year old cottage with stone flag floors, an inglenook fireplace and creaky floors and doors. We were greeted with tea and cake which was very welcome indeed.

After a reviving shower and a change of clothes we were ready for the local pub, the Royal Oak, and then even had the energy for a walk around the village.

Painswick churchyard has 99 clipped yews

This was the oldest post office in England but sadly has gone the way of many and has recently closed. The building dates from 1428.