Paths
I had put a bit more thought into my route after Milton Keynes than before with the result that this ended up being the most enjoyable bit of walking so far.
Until it started to rain and rain, and my maps dissolved and swam away...
I had put a bit more thought into my route after Milton Keynes than before with the result that this ended up being the most enjoyable bit of walking so far.
Until it started to rain and rain, and my maps dissolved and swam away...
Places
The two hour detour to see the Rollright Stones near Long Compton in Warwickshire was well worth it. They are a complex of megalithic stones, the most easterly 'stone circle' in Britain, consisting of three separate sites: The King Stone (1800-1500 BC), The Whispering Knights (3800-3000 BC) and the King's Men (2500-2000 BC).
The two hour detour to see the Rollright Stones near Long Compton in Warwickshire was well worth it. They are a complex of megalithic stones, the most easterly 'stone circle' in Britain, consisting of three separate sites: The King Stone (1800-1500 BC), The Whispering Knights (3800-3000 BC) and the King's Men (2500-2000 BC).
Local folklore explains the stones this way: a king and his army were marching over the Cotswolds (see below) when they were challenged by a witch with the words, "Seven long strides shalt thou take and if Long Compton thou canst see, King of England thou shalt be". Knowing that Long Compton was just over the brow of the hill the king took seven steps forward. Unfortunately, a mound obscured his view and the witch cackled "As Long Compton canst not see, thou and thy men hoar stones shall be". And stones they still remain.
My apologies for the intrusion in the previous picture but it was difficult taking a snapshot of anything that day around Gotherington without a vintage car blocking the view. The reason turned out to be...
The Cathedral in Hereford contains a Chained Library which in turn contains the Hereford Mappa Mundi, a medieval representation of the world.
I will be heading towards Hay-on-Wye, the Town of Books, tomorrow and then it's just Wales between me, the second ferry and sorely missed friends.