Today was a wonderful day. The sun was out as I left Williton, but there were clouds, which were looking a bit threatening, over the hills. Today’s walk went up onto the Quantocks, along the top, and down the other side to Nether Stowey where I am staying in the Ancient Mariner pub. I’m trying desperately to think of Coleridge quotations to sprinkle in, but not coming up with much.
Less than a mile in, I had an altercation with a kissing gate. It’s the first time I’ve had to take my pack off to get through one. There were a couple of close calls yesterday, mind you.
The hills got nearer, I crossed a steam railway line and then I was climbing through the village of Bicknoller (shop and pub, neither patronised today) and up Bicknoller Combe.
The threatening clouds had retreated and the sun was out. It was quite a climb but not like Cornwall! Possibly I’m fitter too. It’s difficult to assess fitness because there is much less ascent and descent here. In Cornwall I was regularly doing 4000 feet/day (that’s 1200m to you metric people) and today I’ve only done 1550 (470m). I have however climbed more than twice the height of Everest since I started at Land’s End so I should be fitter! I’ve done 234 miles as well.
The top of the Quantocks was lovely. Views all round-Minehead, Hinckley Point power station…Flatholm and Steepholm islands, round to the Mendips and south to whatever is south of here. Although I had seen no-one on my walk up, I saw quite a few cyclists and some other walkers when I’d reached the top.
It was a lovely walk. Open hillside, ponies, woods, it had it all.
But, like all good things, it all had to come to an end and I descended into Nether Stowey, pausing only to investigate the remains of Nether Stowey castle. Built in the twelfth century by Alfred of Spain. Abandoned by 1450.
As I walked along the road looking for the Ancient Mariner (pub not sailor) I noticed Coleridge’s cottage. It was open until 4 and it was now 3.45. The guide was very happy for me to look around and looked after my bag while I did so. It was surprisingly interesting, and the garden was very well-tended although apparently a lot smaller than in Coleridge’s day.
Now I’m watching the weather forecast-too hot for walking-waiting for my friend Sue to arrive from Durham. She’s walking with me for the next week.
Rose's LEJOG 
Hi Rose, you are making such amazing progress! Loving the daily updates, but wondering what you had for breakfast today, a notable omission. But I hope you are not missing the final of The Sewing Bee on Wednesday? Happy walking
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For some reason, I didn’t have breakfast included in my room rate so I had a bacon bap from the local bakery. I haven’t seen the Sewing Bee since I started walking but it’s recording at home ready for a binge watch!
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