Ramble Reports for September 2020

Was Maggie taking the piste?

Maggie and Gay’s Midweek Ramble 9 September

Twelve members met to undertake the first ramble following the Covid outbreak. It was obvious from the first step that we had all been missing company and there was non-stop chatter all day! We set off from Overbury at a good pace to climb Bredon Hill and with only a slight off-piste diversion, we arrived at the tower. We managed to dodge the rain and had an enjoyable picnic, suitably socially distancing ourselves and taking in the wonderful views over the Cotswolds. Out came the sun and we meandered our way downhill towards Ashton under Hill and then a leisurely walk back to Overbury through meadows, orchards and woods. A great day enjoyed by all!

Maggie


C’mon to the Commons

Rachel and Geoff’s Short Ramble 16 September

Luckily the Government’s ‘Rule of Six’ did not apply to us, as this ERC Short Ramble was an ‘organised, outdoor, physical activity event’ and was therefore exempt. It felt good to be walking again in a social group and meeting up with members for the first time in six months… although being at a safe social distance! Norton Hall provided ample parking space for the beginning of this leisurely 4.5 mile stroll. After welcoming new members Bev Jones and Phil Taylor, 23 socially distanced ramblers set off, in glorious sunshine, towards Stonehall Common. Admiring an abundance of blackberries, hips, haws and other autumnal berries, we followed quiet lanes and footpaths across the end of Stonehall Common and across to the northern end of Kempsey Common. Surprisingly high, with a trig point on its southern boundary, the common affords good views across Worcester. The wide open space of the common allowed for social interaction and a good ‘catch-up’ of the last six months, whilst maintaining safe, social distancing. The gorse was still showing signs of bright yellow blossom and the sheep and ponies were also enjoying the wide open space and late summer sunshine. Continuing at a leisurely pace, we walked the length of the common back to Stonehall Common. After skirting the edge of this, we followed a footpath alongside a wood with open views across the Worcestershire countryside, back to our starting point.

Rachel & Geoff


Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner Walk!

Mike, Roy and Val’s Sunday Ramble 27 September

Lower Moor Lakes at 9.30 on a bright sunny day with blue skies. We walked from Bridge Street with Roy and met another Mazda car turning into our street. Mike recognised two ERC members we met at the 2020 ERC Dinner! Continuing to Old Chestnut Pub our next surprise was meeting Pam on the corner followed by Val, Peter, Jamie-Louise, Phil and Carl. All these members were not expected but nevertheless lovely to see them along with the eight members who were on our walking list from the bookings. We all met on the playing field and at that point realised we had no chairman! Pam kindly phoned Peter on her mobile but it said ‘no pick up’ – Alastair assured the leaders that Peter definitely knew it was a 9.30 am start but perhaps Peter has a “covid-19 time convert”. To fill the time waiting for Peter, Val explained the special interests around Lower Moor and Hill. The leaders were pleased to have so many members attending so a decision was made to set off and at this point who arrived in his car but an embarrassed Peter. We all tried to assure him he wouldn’t live it down during the walk.

We all walked into Fir Tree Lane which took us into Bridge Street and via “millionaire row” under railway bridge to Lower End Farm, joining the Wychavon Way east to the Springs where it was good to see young children enjoying activities on the canoes. Onto Salters Lane with the first of the village “double yellow lines”. Over A44 walking up through meadows to Hill before continuing on the Wychavon Way to a ‘superb viewpoint’ overlooking Bredon, and Fladbury. We headed to Hill Court, walking round the moat of a medieval settlement. Taking a track leading to Middle Buildings Farm, which we circled via one or two “jump” stiles which were awkward. At the back of Hill House we continued back via the road at Haig Villas where the majority had parked their cars for lunch stop at 12.25 pm. We had a shortened lunch hour as we didn’t use a public house.

The afternoon walk began from the village playing field at 1.00 pm and we retraced our steps from Bridge Street to Lower End Farm and took the Wychavon Way and Shakespeare Way to Wyre Piddle. Through the village of Wyre Piddle we admired the riverside houses. We took a right into George Lane and the old track across the A44 bypass to the entrance to the Landfill site where we took the bridleway right to the ‘Lost Lakes of Lower Moor & Hill’.  This series of Lakes can now be walked easily with all the footpaths cleared. Before reaching the Lakes we had an afternoon break on the heated black pipes where Peter practised his “public announcing” on the ends of the black pipes – an echoing effect just like a station announcement. We circled the three lakes and returned back to Upper Moor via the bridleway passing a spring onion packing house and headed towards Robin Hood House, the path leading us by the cabbage fields of farmer Shaun Walker and on to the corner of Bridge Street. Our Chairman, Peter gave a vote of thanks to Mike, Roy and Val for a ramble on paths that the group were not aware of.

Val & Mike


Share