Walk 17: Lansdown to Bath (7.8 miles) -THE END

102 miles, 17 walks, 31 companion people and 2 companion dogs, and £3260 raised. We have reached the end of our walk(ies)!

Joined by family and friends: Di, Helen, Margaret, Hannah, Sim, Rick and Marie, many of whom had walked previous legs. In fact, Margaret and Di had both joined us on an amazing 6 walks each! Hannah and Sim had also been on the first walk with us, in hail and rain, but to finish the weather was beautiful, with clear blue skies and sun.

We started opposite the Lansdown Battle field, the path marked with distinctive blue and orange pike, flag and sword markers, making our way alongside Beach Wood towards Hanging Hill. The path took us alongside the golf course, and past some impressive metal sculptures. 

Unsurprisingly, there were a number of Roman remains marked on the OS map, but they weren't obvious to the naked eye. We made our way to Prospect Stile, where we met up with two of the party who had been delayed in traffic. The views from here were stunning. We stopped for a picnic at the top. 

The path was now becoming increasingly busy, partly due to its proximity to Bath and Bristol, and also as many people were taking advantage of the wonderful weather and enjoying the beautiful countryside. 

From Prospect Stile the Cotswold Way wends its way down towards Bath, which we could now see for the first time in the distance. We were on to the last map of the trusty guide which had been showing us the way since our start in April.

We entered Bath via Weston and walked through some beautiful narrow streets of old houses built of the warm Cotswold stone. 

We climbed up Primrose Hill, crossing High Common, and then made our final very steep ascent before descending down Sion Hill towards the Royal Victoria Park and the Royal Crescent. 

The centre of Bath was packed with people which made it difficult to navigate at times. Eventually we found the Abbey, and the circular disc of blue limestone which marks the end/start of the Cotswold Way. 

The stone has the Cotswold Way symbol, the acorn, at its centre and features place names from along the route. 

We adjourned for a celebratory tea, with champagne, at the Abbey Deli a rather lovely and quirky little cafe which was featured in Bridgerton. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey; joining us on the walks, reading the blog, and contributing your sponsorship to help Maggie's. 

We thought it appropriate to end the blog with this biblical quote inscribed around the edge of the disc at the end of the walk.

"Stand ye in the ways and see, ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/deborah-kahn