Wednesday 1st May - Whittington to Winchcombe

 A recce for the Winchcombe walking festival with Caroline and her friends starting fro Whittington and following the Coln Trail back to Winchcombe. A super warm sunny day and with no wind.  8 miles with 500ft ascent

Syreford

Sevenhampton

The old brewery at Brockhampton

Charlton Abbots and time for lunch

Tuesday 30th April 2024 - Winchcombe

Circular walk from Winchcombe. Fine day but with strong wind. Up to Cleeve Hill and back. 7.5 miles and 1000ft ascent 

Langley Lane

Negotiating the stiles

Looking back to the Sudeley valley

Cleeve Hill above the old quarries

Blossom at Postlip

Postlip Hall

A meadow of cowlips

Tuesday 23rd April 2024 - May Hill Bluebell Walk

A walk over the iconic May Hill at bluebell time with bluebells everywhere!  From the garden centre near Huntley, over Bright's Hill, through May Hill village and up to the top of May Hill. Then down to the north and back through Newent Woods to Glasshouse following the Wysis Way to Great Adam' Wood. 9 mles with 1200 ft ascent.

 Bright's Hill for a spectacular bluebell display

May Hill comes into view

A great place for a coffee stop

Into Newent Woods

Past the glamping site by  the lake

Glasshouse and this wonderful hedge - must be so much work to keep it trimmed

Castle Hill Wood and the wild garlic

Great Adam's Wood

Returning to Huntley

Tuesday 16th April 2024 - Churchill

Five of us today. Starting in Churchill and an area I haven't walked in before. Initially a loop to the north west of Churchill and then intertwing through the Sarden House estate. A bright sunny morning, warm in the sun away from the wind but much cooler in exposed areas in the wind. 7.5 miles with 700ft ascent.

The horses were there to greet us

Still muddy  in parts but the surface is drying out in the warmer windy conditions

Part of the highly manicured Sarsden Estate

It looks like this was once an important gateway to the estate.

So much work and detail in the pillars

'Dead dog corner' a graveyard for dogs on the estate.

Wonderful splashes of colour from the rape seed.

And a field with lots of circles of mushrooms

Now that is an attractive hedge.

Bluebells beside the road

All Saints church, Churchill

The Gothic fountain on the village green