May 14 The Cotswold Way Wotten-Under-Edge to Old Sodbury

Today's hike started in fog, but soon it was brilliant with sunshine, beautiful pastures and some rocky paths. 
I even saw my first thatched roof!
The old thatch had been removed, and new thatch was being attached to the chicken wire surface.
Somewhere, around 10km down the trail, my left hip started to ache. By 11.6 km, at Somerset Tower, I realized I wouldn't be able to finish the remaining half of the walk. 
My first glimpse of the Somerset Tower in the distance.
I asked some local young people about getting a taxi to Old Sodbury. We tried two different companies, but we were too far away. The kids went on, and an older woman with a gorgeous SLR camera approached me. "Are you alright? I saw the young people leave you behind. What is your plight?" I told her my story. Turns out she is a professional photographer, and lives in the area. "I'll take you over. Let me bring it up in Goggle Maps. I might stop if I see something special to photograph", she said with a wink. I didn't catch her name. She was an angel. I'd love to spend more time with her. Someone is looking over me... maybe my brother who was an accomplished photographer?
The proprietor at the Old Sodbury Hotel provided me with a tennis ball to roll over the aching muscle. I have met many helpful, kind people here in England. We Americans have a lot to learn.
A group of 6 hikers from the Atlanta, GA area were already at the inn. We all walked, slowly, down to The Dog Inn & Pub for dinner. They had Aspall's cider on tap, so I was happy. But the Sunday Roast meal was very disappointing. The others who ordered it shared the same sentiment. Maybe we were too early and these were leftovers from lunch?
The Old Sodbury Hotel was delightful. The owners added a solarium, an expanded sunroom, to the back of the building. It was definitely the preferred place to gather and socialize.

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