Today was Day 31 of the walk and the last in section 1. If all went to plan I would walk into Gloucester and have walked over 300 miles so far.
I began on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal building of which began at the end of the 18th century. It was once the widest and deepest canal in the world. Although I didn’t walk the whole of it it was a lovely walk, an easy flat path, and interesting in both wildlife and local sites.
Saul Junction is quite a busy place and also good for second breakfast at the Stables cafe. Bob had caught up with me by this point so it was two for breakfast.
At Parkend Bridge he went to take the car onto the days end point at Gloucester as I walked on. We met again near Hempsted Bridge and took a detour into the village to St Swithun’s church and the Lady Well. The well house was probably built in 14th century and has a statue on one side said to be St Anne with the Virgin Mary. The statue is damaged like many from that period. The well house is Grade 1 listed but unfortunately the well is now said to be dry.
Back on the canal we walked passed the site of the Priory Llanthony Secunda previously linked to the Well House.
It was clouding up and the kind of weather for which Gloucester has won recognition in Nursery Rhyme was soon pelting down on us. We walked swiftly through the dock area currently being redeveloped and onto the gothic cathedral, the not quite final point of this stage of the walk. That accolade was reserved for a convenient toilet in a car park on the west side of the city, where Bob picked me up.
See you back here in five days!
God grant us a quiet night,
A peaceful end for today and this part of the walk,
A safe journey and a calm return.
JAL 02.05.2019
Day 31of the End to End, Frampton on Severn to Gloucester.