Tuesday 29th July - Elmley Castle

From Elmley Castle steeply up to the top of Bredon Hill, down to Bredon's Norton, Great Comberton and back on a day of mixed weather. Much cooler and fresher at the start, rain was forecast but didn't happen. Walking in the mizzle of the clouds on Bredon Hill and then later the sun came out. 10.5 miles with 1450 feet ascent. With the lack of rain our green and pleasant land has become brown and burned.

Elmley Castle

Elmley Castle

Bredon Hill in the clouds

Through the cattle on the way down to Bredon's Norton - they looked more fearsome than they actually were.

Bredon's Norton

Deer Park near Woollas Hall

Heading down to Great Comberton

Tuesday 15th July 2025 - Tewkesbury

Initially a walk through the Tewkesbury Battlefield area starting in the 'Bloody Meadow'. This is a preserved area where you can explore the landscape and the events of 4th May 1471 when King Edward IV's Yorkist forces defeated the Lancastrians. This was a major turning point in the Wars of the Roses.

We continued on the Severn Way - on the other side of the river is the Lower Lode Hotel.

The cattle looked and and appeared a little more fearsome than they actually were!

The Coalhouse Inn next to the..... 

...camping site and the caravans on raised stilts to protect from flooding.

May Hill in the very far distance

To the edge of Apperley

Towards Apperley

Through Willow Hill Farm......

..... and behind the barns a leisure complex although it is not currenly in use.

On to the Farmers Arms for a more  civilised lunch stop.

Returning through the edge of Apperley and a field with a crop of broad beans, all dead as a result of the lack of rain!

Into Deerhurst and past a flood gate. I haven't seen one like this before but we are on the Severn flood plain.

The raised bank around this field an further evidence of a route through a potentially flooded area.

Another unusual feature - this recently laid farm track made from old concrete railway sleepers

A place know as 'The Folly'

One of the information boards  on the site of the Battlefield.

Tuesday 8th July 2025 Bledington

From Bledington, an easy walk just under 7 mile and a relatively low ascent of 350 feet. At the start of the latest heatwave - slowly getting hotter as we walked. Through Nether Westcote and Foxholes. Followed by coffee and lunch at the community shop in Bledington.

At the start - St Leonards Church, Bledington 

Into Idbury for a coffee stop

St Nicholas Church, Idbury

Down to the River Evenlode at the end of the walk although there was very little water running

Tuesday 24th June 2025 Shipston-on-Stour

Always good to start a walk from a place I've never been to before Shipston-on-Stour in the north Cotswolds. An eight mile walk in beautiful rolling Cotswolds. Through Willington, Burmington and Todenham as the day slowly got hotter and hotter!

It's that time of the year.

Brailes Hill in the far distance

Heading to Todenham.

Todenham

See the bear in the shed.

Wednesday 18th June 2025 - Elmley Castle

An easier walk today from Elmley Castle with the Winchcombe Probus group - goiing up the side of Bredon Hill and through Ashton and Kersoe.  4 miles on a very hot morning.