Birdlip Sunday 21st October

A fine sunny morning, although quite cool at first. Starting from the school in Birdlip, out on the footpath below Hawcote Hill and on to Brimsfield. Then down into the long valley which leads to Caudle Green. From here steeply up to Syde and then across the busy A417 by Gloucester  Beeches. Across the ploughed field for lunch on the edge of Cowley Wood. Returning to the start through Stockwell.

8 miles and a height gain of 750 feet.









Down to the wood by Groveridge Hill

Into the long valley below where another group of ramblers were coming in the opposite direction.

Sherston to Ford 11th October

A wlak with the Cotswold Wardens on the Cross Cotswold Way. A coach from Cirenester to the start in the centre of Sherston. Todays section was from Sherston to Ford going through Brook End, Luckington, Littleton Drew and Castle Combe.  A dull day for an easy 10 mile linear walk.



















The ford at Brook End

Long Barrow at Lugbury

The picturesque little town of Castle Combe. It was here that part of War Horse was filmed.

Bredon from Eckington 7th October 2018

Starting  from Eckington Bridge.  The car park was full with early morning anglers so for some it was on to the near-by lay bye. Dull at first but it soon warmed up. Out through the edge of Birlingham and on to the weir and lock at Nafford. Through Great Comberton and then up to the top of the Bredon  Hill over Even Hill. On to Banbury Tower for a picnic lunch. Return to the start through Woollas Hall and Eckington.

9 miles and a heigh gain of 1200 feet.




A view of Bredon Hill from just afer the start.

Nafford Weir

Nafford Lock

On the ridge looking on Great Comberton with Pershore just behind.

Picnic on the top.

Looking towards the Malvern Hills

On the way down just above Woollas Hall

Severn Cider - Awre 3rd October 2018

A visit to Severn Cider near Awre. 

A short 4 mile walk around the edge of the River Severn before the cider tasting and lunch. Then a most interesting  talk by the owners on the process of making cider.

The view across the wide estuary to Cam Long Down where we were walking the week before

The river bank at low tide showing the huge tidal flow at this point.

Right on the edge of the estuary.

The river is much narrower at this point - this is looking across to Arlingham.

Cider tasting.

The cider press which will be in operation until Christmas.

Sunflowers in the Garden.

Coaley Peak 26.09.18

I decided to join a different rambling group for a mid week walk. This group appears to offer more challenging walks - I wasn't disappointed. A glorious morning, we started from the car park above Coaley Peak.The long flat hill is Cam Long Down which was our initial target. After this we went up  Downham Hill. This is shown in the extras. Known locally as Smallpox Hill because of a facility on top for smallpox victims in previous centuries. From here we went up to Uley Bury Spectacular scenery -  This was the best walk I have done since moving to the Cotswolds.

10 miles and 2000 feet hight gain

The view from the car park - Cam Long Down is the flat hill in the distance.

Looking down from the top of the escarpment near the start.

Cam Long Down in the distance

On the way up to Cam Long Down

Going up.

Downham Hill in the distance

Looking north.

On Downham Hill

From Uley Bury looking back at Downham Hill. Dursley in the distance

Lunch stop in Uley.