My Country Walks: August 2019

Thursday 28th August 2019 - Fownhope

A walk in Herefordshire with a new group. Starting from Fownhope. Initially following the River Wye for some distance, past Mancell's Ferry and acres and acres of potatoes. Then into Capler Wood for a coffee stop in the rain although it didn't last for long. Up the steeper bit to Brockhampton and through the valley with the history posts to All Saints church. A most unusual church built in 1902 but looking well weathered and much older. Along to near Capler Lodge for our lunch stop and an unusual picnic table. Over and through Capler Camp and into Paget's Wood before returning to Fownhope for a well earned ice cream. Just over 10 miles with 1265 feet ascent.

The spectacular River Wye

Fishing..

Mancell's Ferry

Past acres and acres of potatoes, but, this is Herefordshire where Tyrells crisps are made - could these be bound for the crisp packet?

Forestry operations in Capler Wood

Past the history posts

All Saints Church built in 1902

The picnic spot designed by a local artist after two years of consultations!

Capler Camp an ancient Iorn Age Fort

Another history post on top

Through Paget's Wood

Returning to the start

Wednesday 21st August 2019 - Winchcombe

Perfect conditions for our walk today with sunshine, clear views and a little bit cooler. On the Winchcombe Way for the first half of the walk from Winchcombe up to Belas Knap. Past Wontley farm and on to Cleeve Hill with stops at the remembrance tree, the topograph and lunch. Over Nottingham Hill and down almost to Gotherington Halt. Turning right at Greenway Farm through the footpaths where, at last, the crops had been harevested. On to Far Stanley Farm then steeply up for a stop by the old barn. Up again on the Gloucestershire Way around the edge of Langley Hill and then finally steeply down to Winchcombe.

11.5 miles and 1750 feet ascent.

On the Winchcombe Way on the way up

Coffe stop at Belas Knap

Cleeve Common.....

...the remembrance tree...

....the topograph...

....lunch stop with a view

Of course we had to visit the Millennium Man

Final up hill before going round Langley Hill

Sunday 18th August 2019 Dowdeswell

An easy walk from the lay-bye on the A40. A heavy shower as we set off but it didn't last for long. Around the edge of Sandywell Park, through the showground of the same name where the Andoversford point to point meetings take place. Into Andoversford for a coffee stop then out towards the Shipton Golf course. On to the Gloucestershire Way through Foxcote and up the hill for lunch. Returning over the A436 towards Castle Barn Farm where our mere presence spooked a herd of cows to stampede from an adjacent field and past us. Just a really good job no one was in the way. Back through Lower Dowdeswell. A few 'dodgy' stiles on route.

7.5 miles and 750 feet ascent.

The first of many stiles

Passing one of the fences on the Andoversford point to point course.

Past one of the grand entrances to Sandywell Park a Jacobean Georgian manor house built in 1704....

...we had previously passed these gates - note the Urns on top of the pillars have been removed.

Crossing the point to point course

Coffee stop by the stream in Andoversford

On the Gloucestershire Way

Up the steeper bit for the lunch stop - and what a fine view we had.

The cattle stampede past us

Castle Barn Farm

Looking across the valley to Lower Dowdeswell

St Michael's Church, Lower Dowdeswell

Tuesday 13th August 2019 High Willhayes, Dartmoor

An opportunity to lead a walk with old chums. From Meldon Reservoir to follow the West Okement River gently up to Lints Tor. Then across to Dinger Tor and gently up again to High Willhayes and Yes Tor. Finally back down to avoid the clitter. A mixture of Dartmoor's very best weather with rain and sunshine at different times.

8 miles and 1450 feet ascent.

Around the edge of Meldon reservoir