Day One of My Walking Holiday - Winchcombe to Broadway.

I'm going to jump to the end.  I have a new Fitbit record. 31,025 steps. Here is how it happened.

I left Winchcombe and was on gravel paths for a couple of miles. I thought this would be pretty simple.

Then I turned a corner and started walking through sheep and cow fields.  I have to be careful about stepping nice, flat and solid since I have a bad right ankle. There are no level stops in a field.

About four miles in, I get to the ruins of Hailes Abbey. One of my new friends from the night before said I should stop, so I did.

It was closed by Henry VIII and turned into a private home. It's been ruins since the 1800s.

The weather until 11 was okay, then showers started rolling in. This is awkward, because, if I out the rain shell, I start to sweat, however, if the rain really comes down, I want my coat on.

I walked with a couple for about an hour until I needed a break. It was really helpful to break things. As I got to the point where the guide recommended lunch, I just wanted a small snack and to sit for 20 minutes. Unfortunately, there were no stores so I had to hike up the hill to the one restaurant for a small lunch. This is when the heavy showers started.

After lunch the heavy rain started. I stopped under trees three time in cow pastures before putting my rain pants on. Once the rain pants went on, I was completely soaked from the inside out.

Then it was a big grind up a big hill. But, the reward was the view of Broadway. 

I was passed by a gentleman from New Zealand, he was walking faster than me, but he preferred to have company so he walked my pace.

I made it to the B and B, and while I was dirty and soaking wet, I was well received. A quick lie down after my shower became an hour and a half.

I stopped riding centuries a couple of years ago. This is the first thing I've done since then that has hurt like that. It was a good, hard epic day.