September's Big walk through the Cotswolds and The Severn Way to Worcester-95 miles

The Big Walk starts again in September.This time my journey is from Englishcombe just south of Bath to the city of Worcester. So far I have walked from Land's End to just outside of Bath a journey of 218 miles. Septembers route will take me by way of the long distance footpath called the "Cotswold way" and then I head towards Worcester via the Severn Way, making a journey  total of approximately  95 miles. Each of the stages are as follows:
10th September Englishcombe to Tormarton 17 miles

11th September Tormarton to Wooton- under- Edge 14 miles

12th September Wooton-under-Edge to Painswick 14 miles

13th September Painswick to Cheltenham 18 miles

14th September Cheltenham to Tewkesbury 15 miles

15th September Tewkesbury to Worcester 18 miles

All being well 2014 shouldtake me as far north as the edge of the Peak district.

Day 7 Okehampton to Crediton 19.1 miles

Sunday morning had come and it was my last day on the road. After breakfast I left a sleepy Okehampton where few people seemed up and about and headed out of town. Gradually the suburban landscape changed to countryside and I followed a deserted byeway with deep rooty banks . This eventually  emerged in the village of Sticklepath before leading in a northerly direction to South Zeal . On this path I noticed a pair of Jays looking for food in the hedge row.  A series of long country lanes take you to Yeoford and eventually to Crediton. On the road to Yeoford I saw a sign saying "free range chickens". A few yards along the road there they were in a field, with most attractive hen houses. I noticed however one of them was somewhat too free range as she had got through the fence to greet me by the road. As I neared Crediton the whole landscape changed and the soil turned a rich red colour with deep hedgerows. Soon I was into the town

 and found the sports centre where I had arranged to meet Alison.  She arrived 5 minutes after I got there and it was so good to see her again.  We headed home another journey done and looking forward to September's route from Bath to Worcester  along the Cotswold and the Severn Way.

Day 6 Launceston to Okehampton 22.1 miles

On a bright morning I left the Southgate at Launceston and headed down Angel hill to the river Kensey. The coolness of the air was refreshing and I looked at map and weaved my way through the back street lanes and was soon out into the green lanes of Cornwall. The border with Devon  was soon reached as I crossed Polson bridge and the river Tamar into Devon. At Lifton a village founded by the Saxons I headed out across the meadows and by an old stone bridge crossed the river Wolf. From the village of Lewdown an ancient track climbs steeply through woodland and Galiford down is reached. From here you can look back across Bodmin moor and see Dartmoor ahead of you. Small lanes as straight as arrows with bluebell banks and wonderful views of Dartmoor lead to The Granite Way. This is a cycle path on the

route of a old steam railway that was closed in the 1960's.As Meldon is reached a quarry can be seen along with railway tracks and old rolling stock. The path grows narrow again and I picked my way through cyclists and emerged on the outskirts of Okehampton by the castle. My B and B was great and after a cup of tea and a shower I headed to an Italian restaurant for some pasta and white wine. It had been a wonderful day. 

Day 5 Altarnun to Launceston 10 miles.

I had  a good nights sleep once the music had subsided from the pub where I was staying  that evening. Content after my evening meal of chicken curry and Bakewell tart, I had drifted off to the land of Nod.The morning light coming through my window confirmed it was time to get up and have breakfast before setting out for Launceston pronounced "Lanson" by the locals. This was a short days walk before a long day to Okehampton the following day.It was sunny and bright with a cool wind as I walked along quiet lanes with sleepy villages. Time passed quickly and I soon came to Launceston about midday. As I was early, there was time for coffee, fruit cake and to take on some essential supplies. My B and B was not far out of town and the kindly owner showed me my room

. I relaxed after a shower and planned my route for tomorrow, glad that at least today had been a shorter days journey. 

Progress so far on the Big Walk from LEJOG

I have attached a map with red and blue spots showing the various stages I have travelled on foot

 and the total distance covered so far of 218 miles from Lands End to Bath. In September all being well I set out again from Bath and walk the Cotswold way, a journey of 100 miles. Truly "the journey of a thousand miles does begin with the first step".