Sunday 31st March 2019 Prinknash Abbey

Starting from the car park at Prinknash Abbey a walk of three parts.  Firstly down through the fields to the second part - in and around the edge of the industrial estate at Brockworth. The aim of this was to go to the place which is at centre of Gloucestershire. Next  the third and best part of the walk. Gently up to Great Whitcombe, across the reservoir and on to the remains of Roman Villa for the lunch stop. Then up to the Cotswold Way to loop around Cooper's Hill and return to the start.

Cold and dull at first but with a little sunshine later. 8.4 miles and 1000 feet of ascent.

The centre of Gloucestershire.

Magnolia at Great Whitcombe

The remains of the Roman Villa

On to the Cotswold Way

Bluebells and a hint ot what is to come later.

Looking across to Cheltenham and Cleeve Hill

The steep slope where the cheese rolling takes place.

50 yards on the main road before going down to the Abbey

Wednesday 27th March 2019 Winchcombe

My first opportunity to lead a walk with the Wednesday group from Winchcombe. Out on the Gloucestershire Way over Salters and Flukes Hill. Around the Farmcote valley and along Campden Lane to Stumps Cross. Down to Wood Stanway and then back up to Beckbury Monument. Returning to Winchcombe on the Cotswold Way past Hailes Abbey.

10.5 miles and 1500 feet ascent






Leaving Winchcombe

Just below Stumps Cross

Lunch by the Beckbury Monument

Sunday 24th March 2019 Oxenton

A beautiful spring morning with sunshine everywhere. Our route was around Oxenton Hill going through Gotherington, Alstone, Bengrove and Teddington.

Just over 8 miles at a slow pace and 675 feet of ascent.












Oxenton

Sping blossom and lambs

More blossom near Gotherington

Looking across to Woolstone from Gotherington

Under the railway line by Gotherington Halt

On the Winchcombe way towards Alstone

Lunch stop just below Dixton Wood with fabulous views across to.....

....Alderton Hill and....

...a butterfly in the sunshine

Going gently up just past Teddington

Bredon Hill to the north....

...and the Malvern Hills to the west

The higher level path with Oxenton in the distance below

Oxenton Church

Wednesday 20th March 2019 Birdlip

A longer walk today from Birdlip. To Brimpsfield, Elkstone, Cockleford. Lunch at the Hungry Horse, Severn Springs then returning through Coberley and Barrow Wake before returning to Birdlip. A dull morning but a with a little sunshine later in the afternoon.

24 on the walk 12.5 miles and 1400 feet of ascent.











The footpath just before Brimpstone.

Brimpstone

A proper water feature at Brimpsfield Park

Coffee stop in Elkstone...

...Elkstone Manor

Going down to Cockleford

The farm beside Tomtit's Bottom

On the way to Upper Cobberley....

...where we met the hunt

Lunch stop

Cobberley

Spring time flowers

Birdlip Radio Station

On the escarpment  - looking across to Crickley Hill

Across to Gloucester - May Hill in the distance