In order to maintain their extraordinary levels of fitness ahead of the new season's travel itinerary members of Wilkie Tours embarked on their annual walking trip at the end of June. This year the destination was The Cotswolds to 'enjoy' the area's extensive, but largely unmarked footpaths.
Wilkie, Colin, Clive, Al Bush & Tony undertook two full days of walking up escarpments and down valleys from their base near Crickley Hill.
The first day's walk was certainly not without it's 'ups and downs', when after six hours of hiking, and despite the appalling lack of signage, poorly maintained stiles and footpaths, the hungry and thirsty quintet duly arrived at their scheduled lunch stop - The Carpenter's Arms in the village of Miserden. That was the relatively good news; the bad news was that we found the said public house closed for refurbishment! After a brief 'heads in hands' moment we were informed by one of the workman that there was a village shop /post office nearby. The kindly proprietress conjured up a round of bacon sarnies to save the day. This beyond the call of duty act was enhanced with a modest discount on a bulk purchase of cold drinks, lashings of ginger beer in fact!
To make up for the lack of ale at lunch time we stopped off for a pint or two on the return trek and took the opportunity to place our order for delivery of a slap up Indian takeaway to our base camp later that evening.
Blisters, aches and pains were attended to overnight and after a good night's rest the adventurers set off for a second full day's walking. This time the half way break went to plan with a hearty lunch and pint in The Black Horse Inn at Cranham. Returning to base after a successful day's hiking the group enjoyed supper at The Air Balloon, Birdlip.
There was much discussion on the destination for the walking trip for next year, the flat landscape of Norfolk was a popular choice!!
Wilkie, Colin, Clive, Al Bush & Tony undertook two full days of walking up escarpments and down valleys from their base near Crickley Hill.
The first day's walk was certainly not without it's 'ups and downs', when after six hours of hiking, and despite the appalling lack of signage, poorly maintained stiles and footpaths, the hungry and thirsty quintet duly arrived at their scheduled lunch stop - The Carpenter's Arms in the village of Miserden. That was the relatively good news; the bad news was that we found the said public house closed for refurbishment! After a brief 'heads in hands' moment we were informed by one of the workman that there was a village shop /post office nearby. The kindly proprietress conjured up a round of bacon sarnies to save the day. This beyond the call of duty act was enhanced with a modest discount on a bulk purchase of cold drinks, lashings of ginger beer in fact!
To make up for the lack of ale at lunch time we stopped off for a pint or two on the return trek and took the opportunity to place our order for delivery of a slap up Indian takeaway to our base camp later that evening.
Blisters, aches and pains were attended to overnight and after a good night's rest the adventurers set off for a second full day's walking. This time the half way break went to plan with a hearty lunch and pint in The Black Horse Inn at Cranham. Returning to base after a successful day's hiking the group enjoyed supper at The Air Balloon, Birdlip.
There was much discussion on the destination for the walking trip for next year, the flat landscape of Norfolk was a popular choice!!
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