Monarch's Way Walk 2022

  Six of us gathered at Rodmarton for the first of our Monarchs Way walks for 2023. We left a couple of cars there, and drove to Cirencester to start the walk. The weather was nicer than we expected. The first half mile or so was along the A433, which was a bit noisier than in Charles II’s day, but very soon we diverted into the peaceful grounds of the Royal Agricultural College. We passed a Commemorative Plaque to the Monarch’s Way and soon found ourselves on a slightly muddy path across a number of fields. Before long we came to a bridge over the abandoned Thames and Severn Canal. Here we had the option to take a short diversion to see the source of the River Thames, but conscious of the fact that this was going to be the longest walk this year, we decided to forego this diversion, and instead we turned right, to follow the disused towpath West. This was the nicest part of the walk, along the disused canal, with overhanging trees, lush vegetation, and the glimpse of some deer in the