25-03-17 - Wye to Thames - Walk 9 - Moreton-in-Marsh to Kingham

Distance - 12.7 Miles
Geocaches - 2
Previous Walks - Walk 1, Walk 2, Walk 3, Walk 4, Walk 5, Walk 6, Walk 7, Walk 8
Pubs - Horse and Groom, Upper Oddington and Kings Head, Bledington

I boldly claimed that Stage 8 of this superb walk from Hereford to Oxford along the Cotswold Railway Line would be the best.

It appears I may have peaked too early in my praise.

It could have been the sunshine (after all, we have had two weekends at opposite ends of the country in Fog) but this is a special, easy walk.

And it will be remembered for the day when Mrs Mappiman smashed the psychological double digit walking miles barrier.

We've looked at the train times and know that the two hour mid afternoon siesta taken by Great Western Railways means an early start.  Frost knocked off the car and at 7:30am, we are the first to park up at Moreton-in-Marsh railway station car park.

And out, through the surprisingly busy high street, and into the countryside.  Nice to report a new geocache has been placed at the Duck Pond since the last leg.

Geocache GZ 1 - The Duck Pond

Early Morning Countryside Views

The Monarch's Way takes us out of town to the first architectural highlight of the day, Sezincote Hall, a little bit of India in the Cotswolds.  Worth the short detour off the planned route to get the an up close view.  I will meet it again when I complete the Heart of England Way.  Look at the views, it's going to be no hardship.

Built 1805

The Heart of England Way

This walk is a collection of pretty villages.  If you time it right, it could be a four pub beauty.  If you judge a village by its local, then Longborough is the pick of the lot.  We are greeted by the beautiful church and then meet the Coach and Horses, including the landlord who tries to convince me its never too early.  It's 8:30am.  He may have been joking with the daft ramblers.

Longborough Church 

What a Beauty - Coach and Horses - Longborough

The HOE Way is shunned and we let the Monarchs Way take us through Donnington and a revisit into Broadwell, a mere 5 months since our last visit.  One day we'll time it right for when the Fox is actually open.

Photos of the Fox - 2 - Actual Visits - 0

We lunched on Broadwell Village Green during our last visit.  We are making good time but I feel the need to press on.  I do vow to stop at the next bench we see at just the moment (7.5 miles in) that Mrs M suggests it would be a good point to "rest her hips".  Next bench found outside a the Horse and Groom in Upper Oddington.  It's 10:06am and has a sign both proclaiming its North Cotswolds CAMRA Pub of the Year 2013 and open at 10am.

I get that look.  The one that says "You're not having a pint, are you?".   As usual, she is correct.  The landlord will only sell me tea.  Cafe culture, my aris.

Tea for 2 and a 15 minute breather

Geocache 2 is at the Church at Lower Oddington.  The description tells all about the C14th Wall painting called the Doom.  Alas, copper thieves have rendered access impossible - the rain has got in, the picture has been damaged and the church is under repair.  This is the description of the painting from the cache page and you have to hope the Big G is really this vengeful.

The main wall painting in the church is the 14th century'Doom',dated to about 1340 it is 32ft long and 15ft high.

In the upper part is the seated figure of Christ,attended by Angels and Apostles.Below Angels blowing trumpets summon the dead from their graves.To the right the lost are being propelled by devils into the jaws of hell.

Nearby some of the torments of the damned are depicted with fearful realism inc a man suspended from a gibbet and a group of persons being boiled in a cauldron.

I wouldn't mess with his roof.

The final part of the walk can be filed under "Mud", as we cross woodland and Bledington Heath. The railway station is mid way between Bledington and Kingham.  We have made an excellent 2.6 MPH and timed it to perfection to at least visit the one pub.  The Kings Head in Bledington, located idyllically on the village green.

Everything I want from a pub.  Open, serving pints and an entry in the 2017 Good Beer Guide.   And a chance to sample a never seen before Otter Bright.

Kings Head, Bledington.  Shame about the Telegraph Wires

I've got Sunshine in a Glass!

Cheers All - Happy Spring!