This week has been really incredible weather to explore a true gem of the English country side. My journey took me from Stroud to Cheltenham through pristine fields, well-kept woods and then into the Cheltenham suburbs. An evening walk lead me over the famous Cleeve Hill and down a slightly hidden, quite spooky industrial site, flush with bubbling water pools and forgotten whirring engines. Soon that was behind me and along a stream, next to my first pigs I’ve spied on the journey so far and into Winchcombe where I parked up for a couple of days.

The next evening, a bus took me to Bishop’s Cleeve and then another to Tewkesbury where I had a drink in the oldest pub in the county called the Black bear. A young chap, who seemed to have done very well from a recently matured ISA, donated £25 to my fund in between slightly worrying bouts of arbitrage.

Tewksbury Band were incredibly welcoming and I enjoyed playing a wide range of music. Sadly, despite finishing middle of their area this year, they were heading down to 4th section due to the 3 year average rule. I felt quite needed as it was just Chris and I holding up the tuba section and mid way through rehearsal, we found out we were born exactly 4 days apart.

Every good band is followed by a good pub trip and Tewkesbury were no exception. We ended up a few doors down at the New Plough. Half way through hearing about the international travels of a trombone and a trombonist I’d realized I’d left my phone in the band room. Fortunately there were a few key holders around and I managed to rescue it so that my journey could continue uninpeded. I was spared the 7 mile walk back to Winchcombe thanks to a very kind offer from a baritone player, and so Tess and I were all tucked up in bed ready to start new adventures tomorrow.