“Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep”
Carl and Alan’s Midweek Ramble 12 May
18 ramblers assembled at Offenham Village Hall car park on a dry and reasonably bright day. After welcoming new member Malcolm Pyper, a brief description of the route was given before we set off along Main Street passing the second longest row of thatched cottages in the country.
We followed the Shakespeare’s Avon Way, passing the Fish & Anchor pub and continued along the banks of the Avon. Where the path starts to climb up Cleeve Hill we took the lower path staying close to the river. Care needed to be taken as the path was slippery in places due to the ‘April’ showers we have been having lately. A number of quips were made about hearing splashes from ramblers falling into the river. Fortunately, everybody made it to the picnic area at the end where a well deserved break was taken.
We then followed the path up Cleeve Hill, past Cleeve House and through to Cleeve Prior and onto Green Hill. Here we stopped for picnic lunch with fantastic views across to Meon Hill. We were also treated to the sight of a number of gliders being towed up from Bidford Gliding Club.
We then followed paths to North and South Littleton before climbing to the top of Windmill Hill Nature Reserve, then walking back down to Offenham and our starting point.
Showers which had been forecast for the day fortunately did not materialise and instead we had nice warm sunshine. It was also brilliant to see newer members Hayley, Ian and Phil out with us considering how little we have been able to walk as a group lately. Finally, many thanks to Alan for stepping in to co-lead the ramble as Chris unfortunately couldn’t be with us on the day.
Carl
Distance walked
am 4.7 miles pm 5.2 miles
Moor Bang for Your Buck!
Pam and Alastair’s Short Ramble 19 May
With fingers crossed for dry weather, we met at Fladbury Cricket Ground and after welcoming new member Lance Evans, we crossed over the road, walked past the Orchard Community Garden towards Lower Moor.
Passing the 16th century Old Chestnut Tree Inn, we made a brief stop to visit St. Thomas’s Anglican Church, squeezed neatly between the houses and built in1869 to save Hill and Moor Parishioners from trooping to Fladbury for a service.
We then made our way towards Wyre Piddle, turning off to walk the path to the lakes of Lower Moor. After a pit stop to refresh with a drink and a snack and of course to catch up on the gossip, we ambled (or is that ‘rambled’) around the very picturesque lake, formerly a gravel pit and now the site for many lovely Park Homes.
Plenty of wildlife caught our eye including a lovely Rhea – although on closer inspection, it was not of the feathered kind but a large metal sculpture! Impressive never the less!
A short while later we realised we had ‘lost’ Alastair and Peter, who had stopped to don waterproofs during a brief shower! Panic averted, we continued back towards Fladbury Village and to visit the site of Fladbury & Cropthorne Mill and Weir, just as the warm sunshine came back out. Here we spotted a heron (yes, a real bird this time!) helping itself to the fish while we enjoyed the view and sat in the sun.
Walking back through the village, a few hungry members stopped to buy a pie or two from the famous Fladbury Pie & Sausage Shop.
A lovely walk, great company and both the members and the weather behaved. Thanks to Alastair for his support on the walk…
Pam
5.5 Miles
Beef Encounter
Carl & Michael’s Sunday Ramble 23 May
15 members gathered outside The Shutters Inn, Gotherington, all hoping that the rain forecast later in the day would not come early.
We set off following mainly field paths to Oxenton. A gentle climb along the side of Oxenton Hill gave some brilliant views across the Vale of Gloucester towards Tewkesbury and the Malverns before we arrived in Teddington and then headed towards Bengrove.
After Bengrove Farm we started to encounter some waterlogged fields. A particularly muddy exit from one stile gave Glyn a chance to show off his bridge building skills by scavenging some bits of wood and broken fence from a nearby hedge. This saved a number of walkers from sinking ankle deep in the mud.
In the next field we encountered an inquisitive herd of bullocks who came across to see who was trampling through their field. They seemed to want to follow us and club membership would have offered to them if there was any chance of then paying their subs.
From Alstone we picked up the Winchcombe Way before climbing Oxenton Hill again. A heavy but brief shower had the group hastily donning their waterproofs. We then followed parts of the Gloucestershire Way back to Gotherington and our lunch stop at The Shutters.
After lunch, a reduced group of seven members set off for a gentle stroll across the southern side of Gotherington before a steep climb up Nottingham Hill gave everybody the chance to burn their lunch off. The views from the top of the hill were well worth the effort though.
After catching our breath, we then picked up the Winchcombe Way for a gentler climb towards the road. Here we doubled backed on ourselves to follow a tarmac path to Wickfields Farm and picking up more muddy paths taking us towards Prescott House. We encountered another herd of cows along the way who came across to say hello. From Prescott House we followed a downhill section of the Winchcombe Way which needed to be taken with care as it was slippery in places. We then followed field paths with a clear view of Gotherington Halt (no trains running today) back towards Gotherington and our starting point.
The weather had started to drizzle but fortunately we escaped the heavy rain that had been forecast. Finally, many thanks to Michael for stepping in to help co lead after Chris unfortunately had to withdraw from the ramble.
Carl
am 6.7 miles, pm 6 miles
“Whosoever plants a tree, whispers at immortality!”
Alan & Pauline’s Evening Ramble 28 May
After everyone had eventually arrived at Giddings Wood car park, we set off to walk in the Heart of England Forest.
Alan explained that the forest was the brainchild of philanthropist, Felix Dennis, who had planted the first tree in 1996. Felix passed away in 2014 but not before setting up a trust of several hundred million pounds to continue with his vision of planting 30,000 acres of woodland in South Warwickshire and Worcestershire. To date, the forest covers 7,000 acres with two million trees having been planted.
Having walked through Eddie’s Wood, Jocelyn’s Rest and Ralph’s Wood, we reached Dorsington Wood where we had a short break by the statue of Felix Dennis and Alan read out a short poem by him about planting trees and immortality.
Setting off again, we soon reached Dorsington village where we admired the various properties where Felix had lived, worked and played. Our route now took us towards Braggington through fields of sheep and late, newborn lambs.
We encountered our only stile of the evening , after Alan had said there would be no stiles at all, but to be fair, we could have avoided it had the open gateway not been so deep in mud (mind you, Trevor and Mike T still took the muddy option).
Entering Coxmere Wood, we were relieved to see that the ash trees which grew in abundance there were in leaf and had not succumbed to ‘dieback’. An advantage of walking alongside Glyn is that you get to hear rare birdsong that he recognises easily and points out to those around him – this time a grasshopper warbler.
With many paths to choose from and because the group was socially distancing, Alan made frequent stops to ensure none of us got lost. We arrived back at Giddings Wood car park and as the last four cars were ready to leave, the gatekeeper arrived bang on 9.00 pm to lock up. Nine of the party retired to The Masons Arms at Long Marston for drinks and snacks.
Alan & Pauline
5.7 miles
