Holloways

These are not disused railway cuttings or gullies created by water, nor are they constructed on purpose. These are pathways worn down into the ground by centuries and centuries of people travelling throughout the country, mostly on foot, sometimes by horse. Holloways - ways made into hollows below the level of the surrounding ground - very very old.

They often feel like lush tunnels

The never ending upward holloway with tropical lvegetation

A more gradual ascent

Quite narrow holloway with a large tree clinging to the side.

Halfway!

We three wandering women are five days into our ten day, 102 mile walk through the English countryside. Here we are, feeling fresh and excited, about to leave Bath.

Here we are celebrating arriving at a marker which tells us we have walked 55 miles (88 kms)! 47 miles remaining.

 

Tonight I am sleeping in a four poster bed, in a village called Painswick - yes, there has been some pain involved in getting here.  No blisters , but some stiff feet and knees. Yesterday I took my boots and socks off at lunch time and promptly put my bare foot down onto a stinging nettle plant! The rest of the day and for most of the night it felt like I had a burning blister right across under the arch of my foot, very unpleasant. All good now, though. 

We are following the Cotswold Way, one of the UK's marked long distance walks, much of which follows ancient pathways and country lanes. We thought it would be a 'walk in the park', but it is proving more challenging than expected. The distances are quite long for us and there are many hills to climb, long wet grass, slippery mud. We have walked in drizzle, pouring rain, a thunder storm, and humid sunshine, but mostly it has just been cloudy. 

But the views, country, buildings, flowers, animals, people, history etc. are ever changing and wonderful.