Day 18 Wednesday - Horton to Nympsfield

Walking 8.45am to 5.30pm
Distance walked 17 miles
Distance left 801 miles

I overslept this morning! I woke first at 6.15 but must then have burrowed down into the sleeping bag. When I woke next it was dark and as I emerged to the dazzling light, I saw it was 8 o'clock. I hurriedly got up, packed up and went, without doing the usual morning things.
I stopped after a mile or so, had a quick wash, teeth clean, breakfast and coffee and felt much better for it.
I said to Reg last week when he went off to Tiverton that I'd probably bump into him again on the Cotswold Way and so it proved to be. Just south of Hawkesbury Upton, I came across him and Geert, the Dutchman. I think they'd been together a day or so, having both stayed at Bath Youth Hostel. Whilst Reg is B&Bing every night, Geert is B&Bing and camping.
The three of us then walked together a couple miles into Hillesley. In the meantime, Robin had rung to say he'd arrived in Wotton-under-Edge. He walked out to meet me. I left the other two there. Reg was going on to a B&B in Dursley and Geert was heading towards Tewkesbury, both to separately follow the Severn Valley Way. I may see them again in the Peak District or on the Pennine Way. They had heard that there is an American about a day ahead of us going to John o'Groats.
Robin and I walked through Wotton-under-Edge, a place to visit again some time; it looked very interesting. We stopped for the picnic lunch he'd brought at Brackenbury Ditches, a hill fort, with far-reaching views to the south and west. Robin had brought filled rolls, Danish pastries and "lashings of ginger beer" - what a star.

We walked on to Nibley Knoll, a monument to William Tyndale, known for having translated the Bible into English and later burnt at the stake for his views.

Two old gits

Robin left me shortly after to return home and I went on through Dursley, across some fields (where I saw a fox) and then climbing steeply up to the Cotswold enscarpment. I then went through Coaley Wood, emerging after another long climb close to the road turning to Nympsfield. I headed for the Rose & Crown which I understood did camping. It has recently changed hands and I am their first camper, in a paddock at the back.

I can confirm that campers are welcome and there is no charge. However, there are no facilities, although the loos can be used during opening hours. The beer is excellent - there is a choice of Uley Bitter (brewed in the next village), Butcombe and Doom Bar, together also with Uley Pig's Ear, a stronger beer at 5%.