Thursday 15th June, Watlington to The Plough, Cadsden

So in the interests of full disclosure, I forgot that we missed a turning yesterday. The Ridgeway has been really well signposted all the way, unlike the Coast to Coast! We had just seen a group of three day walkers who we had chatted to earlier. They were sitting in the church yard at Nuffield having a snack as we strode past. Anyway we missed our turn and as on principle we don't retrace our steps especially if someone might see us, we made the next bit up and bimble bumbled across a golf club avoiding wild balls flying in our direction. Nobody knew so it didn't happen! 

At 3:00am this morning it was light outside and in our tent! Tired campers. 

Today there was no breakfast provided, there also weren't several other things, really not a fan of glamping. So we got packed up and ate instant porridge with a hot chocolate using our sporks which luckily we had brought with us. 

Liz went back to wearing her walking boots today as flat sneakers were just creating more painful problems. The end result was less calf and foot pain, and one new blister. 

Its still very warm and sunny, we had less shade today but couldn't really agree on the temperature. Hot was the conclusion. 

We crossed the M40 without incident, luckily they had provided a bridge! Then we found a Ridgeway sign to a water tap! We were very excited especially as there was also a bench for our 2nd breakfast. There was also a South African man taking advantage of the tap and shaving, he was walking from somewhere (we can't remember) to Bournemouth. 

Just past Chinnor we stopped for our random picnic lunch made up of anything we could find in our rucksacks. And then we walked in the sun. We decided not to get Friday's picnic in Princes Risborough, Wendover on tomorrow's route looks a useful place.

Then up, up and big hill, Whiteleaf hill, luckily they had installed benches every 100 metres - we sat on them all. Amazing view. Then down, down, down to the pub. 

The pub wasn't open and no-one was home. Not the best end to the day. Hurray for fruit pastilles. The evening staff turned up at 16:45 so we'd had about 45 minutes to wait. Our room was/is warm but has a great shower, there's a debate about whether it is the best shower or whether East Ilsley is still the winner.  Dinner was delicious in the pub, seabass, lime and ginger fishcakes with chunky chips. 

Liz is painting, I will photograph her book tomorrow. We have made our plan for tomorrow, the Premier Inn is on the far side of Tring, not near the trail so we have had to cobble a plan together of how to get there without walking 4 kms down the A41. This will avoid us having to run across multiple intersections, our running skills have not improved. We are also trying to minimise the paces that we do in the hope that we can keep the blisters happy.