It’s Wet in Winchcombe
Carol and Phils Friday Evening Ramble, 8 May
After a pleasant and dry day, a group of 17 walkers met at Back Lane Car Park in Winchcombe. Despite dark clouds , a few experienced walkers decided any rain would be light and short lived, and decided wet weather gear was for amateurs.
As we set off this proved to be optimistic, as the heavens opened, and as we walked through the town, past Sudeley Castle, and into open pasture, those with the waterproofs on were proved correct.
As the rain eased from torrential to heavy we stopped for a short break at the abandoned Waterhatch Farm where shelter was available, while some explored the old water mill ruins.
Carrying on up through Spoonley Wood we passed the path that leads to the old Roman Villa and mosaic, and headed back towards Winchcombe, as the rain eventually eased.
Crossing the grounds of Sudeley Castle we passed through the new gate, recently installed by the Winchcombe Welcomes Walkers Group, through the village and back to the car park. Several members then retired to a nearby hostelry for a well deserved drink in the dry.
Carol & Phil
4.8 miles.
Everything but Snow
Dennis & Geoff’s Midweek Ramble, 13 May
This ramble had all weathers, heavy rain, thunder, hail, cold winds and warm sunshine.
We continued across open ground with very little shelter, before reaching the Five Mile drive, providing shelter with trees on both sides.
Blue skies greeted us as we entered Northwick Business Park, where we enjoyed lunch with a difference at Mr Watson’s Cafe, a converted red double decker bus. Cook/Waitress Robyn served us with well filled sausage and bacon baps with large mugs of coffee and teas, all at very reasonable prices. As we ate the heavens opened and we all dived, with food and drink in hand, for cover.
The skies cleared again as we headed across fields towards Paxford, crossing the main railway line between Worcester and London. Beyond Paxford we passed Blockley brickworks with glimpses of our destination high on the far horizon.
On the outskirts of Draycott, we dived for cover, from a brief hailstorm, in a conveniently situated barn, before our final climb took us through a field, with a large herd of deer, who stood watching us intently. Here we took a classic photo which I have titled ‘Young deers in the distance, Old dears at the front’ .
Dennis & Geoff
4.0 miles am 4.0 miles pm.
A Wander Around Welford
Shirley’s Short Ramble – 20 May
As we assembled, the clouds came over and there was debate about how many layers we needed to wear but, luckily, it didn’t rain on our parade as sixteen of us set off from my home village of Welford on Avon.
Our route took us through Hunt Hall Farm, a mixed arable and livestock farm and out towards the village of Dorsington, dating from Anglo Saxon times and more recently known as the birth place of the Heart of England Forest, the vision of Felix Dennis, publisher and philanthropist.
We crossed Dorsington Arboretum, the exception to the Forest in that it contains specimen trees from around the world, whereas the Forest has been planted with over 2.2 million broad leaved native trees. We wended our way through various parts of the Forest, stopping to look at memorials to some of Felix’s friends as well as his larger than life statue.
Eventually we emerged to follow part of the Avon Way, replete with nettles but with good views of the river. A bonus for nature lovers like me was the cloud of banded demoiselles (damsel flies for the uninitiated) that were enjoying the nettle patches rather more than we did.
We were soon back in Welford where some organised folks headed off to enjoy an alfresco lunch at the riverside Four Alls pub and others headed for a swift drink at The Bell Inn. The sun even came out for us!
A lovely walk with a lovely group of people. This was my first walk as a leader so I was very grateful to all those who came along to support me. Rachel even got me to agree to lead another walk (she works in mysterious ways but you just can’t say no….).
Shirley
6.0 miles
Skylarks and lost paths
Carl’s Friday Evening Ramble – 22 May
Everybody gathered in plenty of time in the car park of the Norton Grange. It was perhaps ironic however, that the last person to arrive was the one who had the least distance to travel. We won’t embarrass them though..
Crossing the road we entered Ashmores Farm Nature reserve. Ashmores Farm is a former dairy farm which is now owned by Worcestershire County Council and along with New Farm has been converted into a Nature Reserve. A number of fenced off areas can be seen which are Japanese Gardens. The plants themselves are not of Japanese origin but the name refers to a method of growing plants close together to create a specific micro-environment.
Crossing the bridge over the A46 we entered the New Farm Nature Reserve and followed the Skylark Trail. From our vantage point a clear view could be seen across the Avon to the Cotswold escarpment. There are a number of information boards along the Skylark Trail and it is amazing that the area has been the scene of human activity for over 2,500 years with evidence of an Iron Age settlement and many Roman finds. Whilst walking along the Skylark Trail three lost paths could be found. Two cross the A46 bypass and you would need to be brave to follow them now. The third heads in the direction of the Valley and the entrance into the next field has been allowed to grow over. We also encountered a deer which kept a respectable distance but did not run off at the sight of a group of ramblers.
We then followed the old railway line for a while before crossing onto the river path that runs parallel with the railway. A large number of dragonflies and mayflies could be seen among the plants on the riverbank. Picking up the Skylark Trail again we stopped at the sanctuary which is little hut for weary travellers to sit in and enjoy the view. It was here where we finally saw a skylark hovering above us.
Passing through Ashmores Farm again we headed back to the Norton Grange where some of us took advantage of the chance to have drink and food.
If you are able walk this area during the week I thoroughly recommend it. There are very people about and you can really enjoy the beauty of the area.
Carl
5.0 miles
Three ‘Ways’ around Coughton Court
Diane & Karen’s Sunday Ramble 31 May
Truly thankful for slightly cooler temperatures, our group headed from our parking spot at the Throckmorton Arms towards Coughton Court joining the Arden Way just before the Court and grounds entrance.
We followed the Arden Way and the River Arrow for just under 3 miles passing newly planted trees (all native British) planted by the Heart of England Forest, Spernal and an area being reinstated as wetland by the Heart of England Forest. Leaving the Arden Way we headed along good woodland paths joining the Millennium Way for a short distance before turning, at Morton Common Farm, towards Spernal Park.
As we left the woods behind us and after passing through a kissing gate to walk up a short incline, lo and behold an abandoned boat. Dutifully, Glyn climbed aboard to see what he could see but all that he could see was – unfortunately, not the sea – the hill in front was blocking the view.
After another short incline we reached our short break/lunch stopping point with wonderful views across the Warwickshire countryside. Following our break we headed slightly downhill following forest footpaths before joining the Heart of England Way and wending our way along a bridle path up through Newlands Wood and then bypassing Alne Wood.
Leaving the Heart of England Way we headed towards New End before rejoining the Arden Way back towards Coughton.
After a short ‘history’ lesson about Coughton we headed back to the Throckmorton Arms where some of us enjoyed some great post ramble food.
All in all, a lovely circular walk through some fabulous countryside across a variety of terrains with a group of great club members (and 2 guest walkers); great walk, great company and no rain, an ideal Sunday.
Diane & Karen
9.75 miles