I shouldn’t have looked out the window this morning. It’s raining. A small breakfast of sausage, mushrooms,toast and tea. Gathered my belongings, which I’m struggling to keep dry,especially my shoes,  also made sure to take my walking poles, which I left in the door way purposely the night before, so I couldn’t forget them, I headed for the bus. Google maps led me up the garden path, according to my bus driver. Luckily, he knew what he was talking about, and led me in the right direction,otherwise I could have ended up anywhere. A long punishing day as it turned out,considering it rained on many occasions. It seems when walking through the woods, the clouds drop away, and with the sun filtering through, the walking is amazing. Then usually while climbing, the sun takes its turn to rest, and the wind and rain take their turn. By mid afternoon, the temperature has plummeted and the rain turned to hail. I honestly believe my fingers were frozen. By 6 pm, one mile from Dursley, and then another three to my destination, I rang and begged for them to send me a taxi. The inn keeper was kind enough to send one of his staff to rescue me. Once at my hotel, I drank a pint, ordered my dinner, went upstairs for a well deserved hot shower,  and back down stairs for one more pint and dinner. I then gladly went to bed to do my blog, but fell asleep within minutes. My highlight of the day was following some walkers who missed a marker. I yelled, you on the Cotswold way?the answer was yes. They were very grateful. I also met other lost walkers. It’s easy to miss a marker when it’s raining as you’re concentrating on the slippery conditions you’re trying to navigate. Besides, the bigger signs are made from timber that blend in with the trees, and most signs are not even 60 cm discs,fixed to whatever they can fix them to. As bad as the weather was, still many walking, and that lifts my spirit. My other highlight came whilst walking through a village. Lots of times, the track can be less than a metre wide,with cottages each side. If curtains are open, and they usually are,you’re looking into their lounge or kitchen, without really trying. Well, I laughed when passing a lounge window that had a statue of a monkey, pointing his middle finger at his audience. This morning I had weetbix for breakfast, and my driver took me back to where I would continue my walk, and although very cold, I stayed dry. When the sun appeared, it was most welcome. The rain threatened all so often, but stayed away. When walking through fields of long grass and stinging weeds, known commonly as nettles, my shins are stinging badly by the end of the day. Also yesterday my bottom lip was swollen badly and numb, not a nice feeling. Today, I’m grateful my accommodation is on the way. No transport juggling. I also haven’t seen the same walkers two days in a row, not like the camino.