Cotswold Way - Day 3 of 8 - Cheltenham to Birdlip - England's most scenic & interesting hike

Cotswold Way Day 3 Cheltenham to Birdlip
After debating whether to return up a very steep muddy hill to where we had left the Cotswold Way the day before, we decided this was not a good plan. I follow Wainwright's theory of the walk is between two places, and the actual route does not need to be followed, but others may disagree. After breakfast we left shortly after 9am, turning right out of the pub following the pavement along the busy A40 to re-join the Cotswold Way just beyond the Koloshi Indian restaurant at 9.45am. On the way we passed many food stores, and a most interesting Dunkertons cider shop, perhaps one to remember for next time we are here.
We were pleased to leave the traffic, and headed uphill passing a small car park, then through the woods to achieve the top of the escarpment once more, the great views continued back to where we had walked the previous day over Cheltenham and the hills beyond. We then dropped down to a path that runs parallel to the A436, turning right on the roundabout then following the path over Hartley Hill. We enjoyed the area of Leckhampton Hill 294m with a topograph, another iron age hill fort, and an old quarry which created the rocky outcrop of Devil’s Finger. We had left that morning rather ambitiously wearing our shorts, but by now it was very windy and wet so all waterproofs were worn together with winter hats and gloves. Oh, to be in England in Mid-May, with again the rain sweeping in from the west.
We passed National Star College bistro, unfortunately it was closed (12.45pm). We ate our lunch in the woods, with the trees providing some shelter from the rain and wind. We continued to Crickley Hill Country park- with a café, take-out coffee and free toilets, which is a viewing location, but the only view we had was rain sweeping across towards us. On another day we may have stopped, but we pressed on also passing the Air Balloon pub having decided to skip coffee or pub breaks and just arrive at our hotel. We arrived very wet and cold at 3pm, so happy to arrive given the very inclement weather.
We had a delicious dinner in the pub's restaurant- as a “Greene King” chain of pubs there was certainly plenty of choice. We were also able to dry out all our kit in the hotel rooms. We were intending to have a walk of the village of Birdlip, but it was far too wet for that. It continued to pour in rain all night, adding to the already waterlogged paths.
Distance 12.8 miles (20.5km)
Duration of Walk 6 hours
Average pace of walk 28 minutes per miles
Steps 30,000
Elevation 1654feet (504m) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cric...
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[@robertj5208]

which month is this? AH!!!! Late May. THank you for the narration!

[@hikingwithdaveandbarbara8629]

Thanks Robert - Barbara's full blog is on hikingwithdaveandbarbara.com/cotswold.html and cover hotels etc etc if you need any further information. Are you planning on doing the hike ?
Cheers Dave & Barbara