“It can be hilly round Hillesley!”
Alan & Pauline’s Midweek Ramble 9 November
After driving through a heavy rain storm, brightened by the display of poppies throughout the village of Kingswood, we all arrived safely at The Fleece Inn. Alan told us that Hillesley is a thriving village which had recently featured on BBC ‘Countryfile’ and that the pub is owned by village shareholders.
We set off in a northerly direction on good tracks, stopping to admire Alderley House which was once a school and has also been a location for filming episodes of ‘Casualty’. Another smaller but striking house with its millpond and bridge provided the backdrop for a photo opportunity.
We followed the millstream into a wooded valley with former woollen mills now converted to stunning residential properties. We continued towards Alderley Farm where the public footpaths were pristinely mown, clearly marking our route across the estate. Eventually, we arrived at a concrete track that started off steeply and, hidden beyond the first bend, rose even more steeply to reach our coffee break close to the village of Tresham. This was an unscheduled stop owing to the group needing a rest after the aforementioned concrete track and the fact that we could shelter from a sudden rain shower in the shelter of a wall.
Leaving Tresham behind, we descended on a slightly muddy track, following the Monarch’s Way. A short stretch of road walking brought us back to The Fleece Inn for lunch.
The start of the afternoon route took us steeply uphill (but that’s not the reason Pauline stayed behind in the pub!) on a delightful woodland track before levelling out as we approached the Somerset Monument. Built in 1846 by the staff from nearby Badminton House, this 100ft monument commemorates the life of Lord Robert Somerset, a general who fought in the Peninsular War and was MP for Cirencester.
The track now followed the Cotswold Way along a ridge with an abundance of pheasants scattering in all directions as we disturbed them with our presence. We eventually dropped down through woodland to reach the village of Kilcott and the road back to Hillesley.
Alan & Pauline
am 5.5 miles; pm 4.5 miles
As GF (and Pauline) would say – “Turned out nice again!”
Alan & Pauline’s Short Ramble 16 November
Who would have thought that the forecast for heavy rain on Wednesday morning would, in fact, turn out to be so wrong? In glorious sunshine, we assembled on The Square where Alan gave a brief history of Feckenham and welcomed our guest, Chris Pycock.
Pauline then led us through the churchyard and after following one of the many brooks of the day, we passed the village school with children greeting us from the playground. Good field paths then brought us to Poplars Lane which rose steadily to reach a road. Here we encountered our first difficult stile. A short slippery bank up to the stile meant that assistance was required from above and from below!
We crossed Wixen Brook before following it to skirt Old Yarr, a large property complete with ornamental lake, weir and a bridge across Bow Brook. Our every move was followed by what seemed an inordinate number of boundary security cameras. Leaving these behind, we continued across Old Yarr land to enjoy extensive views of the Worcestershire countryside.
After our coffee break we headed towards Ham Green where the exit onto Clayfields Lane was by way of an awkward stile with a sloping tread made slippery by the damp conditions, and steep stone steps. Unfortunately, one of the group took a tumble, sustaining an injury that required immediate first aid administered by Richard (and an eventual visit to A&E after the walk and lunch).
Quiet lanes brought us to Cruise Hill where we crossed a field of over friendly horses before climbing two high deer fence step stiles. The deer weren’t as friendly as the horses so we only saw them at a distance! We then made our way through a small copse to reach open fields with stunning views.
The original intention was to walk down part of Burial Lane, but discretion being the better part of valour, the leaders had already decided that what had been a pleasant shady stroll in the summer would be an extremely muddy encounter after the heavy rain of previous days.
Our alternative route took us past Dunstall Court and back to Feckenham for lunch at The Rose & Crown.
Alan & Pauline
5 miles
“It was a mud bath.”
Paul and Fran’s Sunday Ramble 27 November
Twenty one brave (foolhardy?) ramblers gathered on a dry Sunday morning to take part in Paul and Fran’s first attempt at leading a ramble.
Our base for the day was the Wheelbarrow Castle Pub in Radford, Worcestershire. Pubs make a great base for anything, I think.
Our morning walk was a 5.5 mile walk taking in the villages of Kington, Flyford Flavell (where we stopped for a coffee break, and some Ramblers played on the swings) and Abberton. There were lots of fields in between and lots of fields meant lots of stiles, many of which had seen better days, so plenty of photos were taken for the attention of the Council.
Although the day was rain free, the days before had been very wet, so the route was characterised by lots of mud. Lots and lots of mud.
Towards the end of the morning walk, we gained a temporary member of Evesham Ramblers, in the form of a sheep dog, who took to the challenge of herding us ramblers with gusto. Trouble was, he didn’t know when to stop and was still at it as we arrived back at base for lunch, and even came into the pub to join us. The landlady stepped in and with help of a local, they found out where he should have been hanging out for lunch and his owners came and collected him.
We lost a few participants following lunch but also gained a couple, so all was good for the afternoon session. At 5 miles, it was a less onerous (less muddy!) loop taking in the outskirts of the village of Inkberrow and then on to Abbotts Morton. As the daylight began to fade, we were treated to an amazing red sky and got back to base just as darkness fell.
I love it when a plan comes together.
So that was it, our first attempt at leading a ramble. A job made easier with lots of help and advice from the established members – thanks everyone.
Paul
am 5.5 miles; pm 5 miles
