Leg16. Chipping Sodbury to Doynton

 

On Sunday 9th July,  7 intrepid walkers set out on the 16th leg of our Monarch’s Way walk, from Chipping Sodbury to Doynton. The forecast promised changeable weather. We were hoping that we didn’t get caught in a downpour, but brought raincoats and applied suntan lotion so that we were ready for all eventualities.  

The first part of the walk took us out of the town, and into fields which afforded the first opportunity for a group photo.

 


Shortly we reached a common, where we managed to skirt the frisky bullocks. The Monarch’s Way book warns us that it is easy to go in the wrong direction on the common. In fact, unlike some of the earlier walks, there wasn’t much signage on the whole of this walk. It was sometimes challenging to find where we were supposed to be going, but Rod did a marvellous job, guiding us.


The path took us through fields of barley (or was it wheat?) and maize. Not the easiest walking.


Eventually we came upon The Wishing Well pub – which had a garden where we could eat our sandwiches, having purchased drinks from the bar.



After lunch, we walked through fields, to a somewhat challenging gate surrounded by nettles and brambles which lead through a (thankfully dry) stream which would have been impossible to cross if the stream had been running. More fields of wheat took us to a bridge over the M4 which gave us pause to reflect how far we have come from the start of our Monarch’s Way journey in Stratford.


The path now became an enclosed green lane, a relief after the hot fields, 



and at the end was a large pool of water which Lily was very happy to see.



More fields eventually took these weary travellers to our end point, the Cross House pub in Doynton, which we were very happy to arrive at after 7.5 miles.


Blog written by Deborah.

We are raising money for Grassroots Suicide Prevention, which is a cause very dear to our hearts. Contributions can be made here:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/28-30MonarchsWaywalk2022

 

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