Day 4: Winchcombe to Northleach

"Today we set off from Winchcombe, the Ancient Capital of Mercia, a town of 2000 before the Norman Conquest, rising steadily to 4000 in 2008, which numbered among its many distinguished residents the Doran family - longer than anywhere else! We will leave Winchcombe through Vineyard Street, once known as 'Duck Street', where scolds were ducked in the mighty Isbourne, one of the very few rivers to flow northwards - quite amazing another Winchcombe miracle, water running uphill. Then we ascend Sudeley Hill, passing the Castle and enjoying marvellous views of the magnificent Cotswold countryside. Guiting Woods, owned by Corpus Christi College, Oxford and the beautiful villages of Guiting Power and Naunton will enrich our morning stroll. After a magnificent repast at 'The Black Horse Inn' the afternoon offers the prospect of Cold Aston ( also known as Aston Blank - why? ), Turkdean, Hampnett and finally Northleach, another wonderful Medieval Wool Town where you will rest your very slightly wearied bones in the excellent Westwood Community Centre. What more could you ask for? Sadly after today's offering everything else will be an anti climax!!"

Our day started with Mass at the Catholic Church of St Nicholas at Winchcombe, Fr Peter's church.

It's a good size for our group, supplemented by several parishioners.

Gino, who is walking with us for 2 days, receives his cross...

...Siobhan needed a hand from Patrick to keep her dirty boots off the carpet.

The backmarkers gather outside the church.

The gatehouse at Sudeley Castle.

Walking through the park at Sudeley.

Looking back at the castle and it's chapel.

Pilgrims chat to a local dog walker.

Following the yellow gravel road.

At Guiting Power several were tempted by the Post Office offering ices and other goodies.

The Norman arch at Guiting Power church, where we had a DIY stop.

Pilgrims stop for an early lunch (as sandwiches couldn't be eaten at the pub).

Other pilgrims lunch in Guiting Power.

Looking back at Guiting Power church.

A bee inspects the thistles.

The rolling Cotswold countryside.

The Dove Cote at Naunton.

Crossing the stream as we approach lunch.

Lunch at the Black Horse, Naunton

Geoff spouts forth...

...but it obviously exhausted him.

Catherine sleeps it off in the village.

After lunch there was a steep descent, to be treated with caution.

Douglas talks to the bunny.

More of Angela's friends.

The path was very wet, but at least the water was underfoot not overhead.

First formal prayer stop at Cold Aston.

We were welcomed with tea...

...which was appreciated.

Patrick led the reflection to an attentive canine congregation.

Helen played the organ for "Who would true valour see"

While we were in the church the heavens opened; luckily they closed again before most of us left the church. But the evidence was on the ground.

The backmarkers weren't so lucky.

We climbed on a track - at least it wasn't muddy.

Next stop was at Turkdean, with an interesting (if controversial) rood screen.

Leaving the church.

An ominous sign, but luckily it didn't apply to our path (much)

At Hampnett we were met by suitably attired drink team.

The inside of the church was extensively decorated.

St George on the pulpit.

A wet Louise approaches the church.

The church itself.

As we left the church the heavens opened again, soaking most of us, and we had a very wet walk across the pasture and down Northleach main street to the community centre at the far side of town.

But the hall has showers and space, a separate dining space, and as it's a fair way to the pub we're having a night in - with music.