Tuesday 25th April 2023 Haugh Wood near Hereford

A long a difficult drive, almost to Hereford. Starting in Haugh Wood.  A fantastic day to be out with lots of warm sunshine (a frost on the car first thing). Very muddy in places after the recent heavy rains. A good walk,  11 miles with 1600 feet of ascent

The car park in the Haugh Wood

Two deer spotted below

Then near Mordiford we came across Garstone - the man in the barrel and the legend of the Dragon of Mordiford.

A young girl named Maude was out picking berries one day when she heard what sounded like a cat's meow. She stumbled across the dragon! 

Maude scooped up the wide eyed dragon who gratefully cuddled into her arms. Maude gave it milk and fish from the river Lugg and they played hide and seek together.

As the dragon grew so did Maude's love for her friend. During the days it would play in the woods an drink and splash in the local rivers.

As it got bigger so did its appetite. Its claws and teeth had grown and it had started to hunt local chickens and sheep.  The locals began to notice...

Eventually the villagers hired a creative mysterious and daring man called Garstone who was an expert at dealing with dragon problems. He hid in a barrel by a stream where the drakon was known to drink.

After days of waiting the dragon landed to quench its thirst.

Garstone launched out of the barrel and.....the dragon was never seen by the villagers again. Garstone never revealed what happened.

Mordiford and water wheel being refurbished.

Through the woods and past the bluebells

Backbury Hill and our destination later in the walk

Perfect place for a picnic at lunchtime

Bluebells

Rape seed in the distance

A feast of wild floweres with bluebells...........

............Cowslips................

...............and dandelions...............

Tuesday 18th April 2023 Naunton

 

A fine sunny day with a cool breeze for an easy 7 mile walk from Naunton. Initially following the Warden's Way to the B4068 then North through Eyford Park to return to Naunton

Good to see the May blossom out

The horses were keen to greet us!

Eyford Park

Tuesday 4th April 2023 Stow on the Wold

A beautiful spring morning for our walk from Stow on the Wold. To Maugersbury, Hyde Mill, almost to Lower and Upper Slaughter. Almost to Lower Swell and back to Stow. 8 miles with 700 feet of ascent.

Maugersbury

Hyde Mill

On Copse Hill the Underground works used to store Ice in Victorian times

A milk vending machine near Lower Swell. Buy a bottle from the machine on the left and then fill it with milk from the machine on the right.

Nether Swell Manor

Tuesday 27th March 2023 Bude Canal and Coast Path

 A lovely sunny morning for a walk along the Bude canal, across the muddy fields and back to Bude on the coast path. 

The canal originally built to transport sand from the beach to farmers fields in Cornwall. The canal replaced 4,000 horses who had previously done this work.

Across the muddy fields to Widemouth Bay

Returning to Bude on the stunning coastal path.

The Victorian Storm Tower built in 1881. This is due to be moved 100  metres inland before it falls into the sea due to coastal erosion.  It will be moved brick by brick.  The cost of this is about £400k!

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