Chapter Eight
It was over twenty miles to Paulus’s villa at Wycombe in the South Chilterns. Originally Tibullus planned to set out early one morning and make the journey in one day. But when the day arrived people were late, provisions weren’t packed, and other things weren’t ready till midday. Tibullus thought of leaving it to the following day, but then decided to make it a two day trip. They were having warm weather, and he thought, why not set out during the afternoon, and if it remained fine, sleep in the open? They would be crossing a couple of main roads, so if the weather changed they could look for an inn, or some habitation anyway. At worst they might have to shelter beneath trees at night. But Tibullus reckoned the weather would hold; and it did.
They set off along the ancient
