My Country Walks



Welcome to my new blog following my move to the Cotswolds in early 2018.

Previously living on the edge of Dartmoor I shared details of my walks on Dartmoor on my previous blog My Dartmoor Walks. As I explore this new area I will share details of the routes here.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Tuesday 21st March 2023 - Church Westcote

Following the Diamond Way to Bledington then on the Oxford way to Foxholes and finally on the D'Arcy Dalton Way back to Fifield. A fine day and easy going to start with but returning from Foxholes was hard going with mud, mud and even more mud. Challenging at times and sometimes difficult to stand up. A route I would not have chosen if the mud was like that on the recce. But, it's always good to be out! 8 miles with 500 feet of ascent.


St Mary the Virgin Church, Church Westcote


Spring is springing

Trying to get around the mud

Fifield


Tuesday 7th March 2023 - Dowdeswell Reservoir

A light dusting of snow in Winchcombe and on the journey to the start but not much where we were walking. Starting from beside Dowdeswell Reservoir and on the Cotswold Way for a while before dropping down to Prestbury to follow the Cheltenham Circular Footpath. Very muddy and slippery underfoot and not one of the most inspiring paths as it skirts the edge of Cheltenham. 

A strange coincidence that some of route was the same as on Sunday but at least we were going in the opposite direction.

About 7.5 miles with 900 feet of ascent.


Dowdeswell reservoir is now a balancing pond and part of the flood defences for Cheltenham. Graffiti in one of the flood channels - not what you expect right next to the Cotswold Way!

Going up on the Cotswold Way

Cheltenham

A dusting of snow on the higher ground.


An alpaca who seemed pleased to see us.

Lots of mud on the lower paths making the going difficult

On the Cheltenham Circular Footpath


An interesting temporary sign and also with a temporary mandatory 40mph speed limit. I don't think they stand much chance against the volume of traffic.

Finally a telephone mast masquerading as tree!



 





Sunday 5th March 2023 - Prestbury

With the Cleeve ramblers from Prestbury. Steeply up the escarpement to the Cotswold Way just below the masts, then on to a lower leve path to Picadilly Farm. Down to Hewletts Reservoir and finally on the Cheltenham Circular Footpath back to Prestbury.  A cold dull day. 6 miles with 900 feet of ascent.


Spring lambs


Going up

The view across to the Malvern Hills


The racecourse below

Cheltenham



Tuesday 28th February 2023 - Winchcombe

 

Always good to start a walk from Winchcombe, even on a cold dull day! Across the fields to Waterhatch, up to Roel Gate. Down Campden Lane and on to Little Farmcote. Returning past St Kenelm's Well and Sudeley Castle. Just over 10 miles with 1200 feet of ascent.

Waterhatch

Getting up the steep bit with no views anywhere.


The always impressive Spoonley Farm House

Crop spraying

Catkins on Campden Lane Track

On the Winchcombe Way

St Kenelm's Well


Sudeley Hill Farm with Winchcombe below

Sudeley Castle