Ramble Reports for October 2019

The Duke of York pub was our starting point and car park. Well The Duke of York certainly went up the hill but didn’t come back! Our pub on the Tewkesbury Road, Berrow was unfortunately “closed” and it’s possible that the friendly publican had “done a runner!” Plan B was The Farmers Arms down the road in Birtsmorton. We walked straight along precariously overgrown paths with a series of old wooden stiles and wheat fields – though cut luckily. Boggy fields after recent rainstorms. In Whiteleaved Oak we rose through an orchard of old cherry trees. On the Three Choirs Way we took a break where we had panoramic views across to Bredon Hill and the Cotswold escarpment. We walked on through the hamlet of Hollybush where Mike pointed out the underground house built in the old quarry.

We descended down a steep concrete road and past Berrow House. Some may remember Charles Menteith using this venue for a club toilet stop. We travelled on downhill by the Manor House at Hollybush and on across common land and through the hamlet of Golden Valley. We continued on across Coombegreen Common with its very attractive hardwood bridge crossing a stream. Having followed the B4208 we took field paths to Rye Street. Here we retrieved our cars and travelled a mile to the new pub stop, The Farmers Arms, at Birtsmorton. Frank joined us here for lunch and we were well taken care of by staff after our late booking. After lunch we bade farewell to four of the party and returned to The Duke of York where the skip was still being loaded with items from the pub. We ventured off through Rye Street and back onto footpaths in the parish of Berrow. We came to Whiting Ash Farm, with its large wheat crop in storage.

On to White End and up into Berrow Wood where we encountered a Reeves’s pheasant. Our bird expert, Marg Townend, who is a seasonal beater at Ripple, told us that this beautifully marked bird cannot be shot as it is a protected species. We dropped down from the wood with panoramic views towards Tewkesbury. Then we went down to Berrow Church which was viewed by all. On to Birtsmorton Court where we saw the moated court, its church and gardens. Mike spoke with the head gardener, who was raking the verge to encourage new growth for the wildflowers planted there and said that he hadn’t progressed much since the last recce. We returned back via The Rectory Farm and Rye Street to our cars. Alan gave a vote of thanks to Mike and Roy. The weather, considering prior forecasts, was kind to us all day we enjoyed a warm day’s ramble.

Mike & Roy

On what turned out to be a lovely sunny morning, 18 ramblers turned up outside Beckford Silk Mill to begin a very healthy stroll up Beckford Hill (which is of course part of Bredon Hill) via Grafton. Buzzards could be seen circling the fields and creating mayhem in a field where squawking pheasants could be seen running for cover. Onwards and upwards, pausing occasionally to catch our breath and admire the panorama below us, we stopped near a large barn where a well earned tea break was enjoyed before walking along what once must have been the road to Overbury.

Turning down to Conderton we passed through fields of blue linseed flowers before trying not to trample on fallen russet apples. Grey clouds were appearing over the Vale but the sun continued to shine on the righteous, or at least us ramblers whilst we headed back via the Beckford Nature Reserve and admiring a wonderfully carved seat out of what once must have been a massive tree trunk placed with a view over the lake.

Turning down to Conderton we passed through fields of blue linseed flowers before trying not to trample on fallen russet apples. Grey clouds were appearing over the Vale but the sun continued to shine on the righteous, or at least us ramblers whilst we headed back via the Beckford Nature Reserve and admiring a wonderfully carved seat out of what once must have been a massive tree trunk placed with a view over the lake.

Peter & Val

Well an eventful ramble to say the least!

We arrived at Knightwick to find the Teme in full flood blocking the the way to the Talbot Inn which was under water, so no lunch there. Thanks to Paul and Hazel the ramble was rearranged to skirt the floods and after a short paddle we headed over the fields to climb up to the Worcestershire Way and were rewarded with wonderful views. Despite being more than wet underfoot it was a beautifully glorious sunny day. We turned down towards Alfrick and then climbed back up to the Worcestershire Way. En route I managed to slide full length into the sludge; the upshot of which necessitated a complete change of clothes.

We made our way back to The Talbot to find our path blocked by more floods. Fortunately a Land Rover, complete with cattle trailer, was about to cross so they opened up the back and in we climbed, a mode of transport that is a first for the Rambling Club I would guess. So with lots of theatrical mooing we were transported through the flood. We then made our way to the Fox and Hounds at Lusley who had managed not only to fit us in but to give us an excellent Sunday lunch.

So all in all an excellent impromptu ramble that was enjoyed by everyone.

Maggie

You can view additional photographs taken by Peter on this eventful day, click the Flickr button below.