Day 11 (6 March 2009)

Rendcomb to Tunnel House Inn (The Cirencester Alternative)

(9.5 miles)

Met Ian and drove to Rendcomb. Took us a good 5 minutes to find the right footpath. Route into Cirencester follows R. Churn. Good walking weather but pretty muddy in places. Had to make a slight diversion because of some aggressive "no right of way; Don't trespass" - where were those pheasant shooting boys from the last walk - they could have sorted it for us. Church at Baunton had big 14th century wall painting. Walked through Cirencester - what a nice town. Then out along the main road - not very nice - too many cars. Then got on to a path and up by the Royal Agricultural College - very posh - but at least they had seats for us to eat lunch on. Then very pleasant walking which ended up with us going along by the remains of the Thames Severn Canal - highly recommended (even more so when there's a bit less mud) - past a canal round house and the very impressive portal of the canal tunnel and then to the Tunnel House Inn - a fine pub (more of this on the next post)
Pub of the day (special category for this day) :Tunnel House Inn
Bird of the day: heron
Tree of the day: alder