Getting back to nature
Carl’s Saturday Shorts Ramble – 6 December
On an overcast and cool day seven ramblers assembled in Kinsham. We set off along the road towards Bredon before turning into a field and heading towards Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve.
The reserve was created in the 1990’s after gravel pits were flooded to create a lake. Over 170 species of birds have been recorded since then along with over 23 species of dragonflies and damselflies. Unfortunately, the lake is not easily seen from the path but we did pass a hide where the public can view the lake. We did not visit the hide on this occasion as it can get quite busy and we did not wish to disturb anybody. On an earlier visit I was told by one person that he had been watching an otter for some time through the morning.
We continued up an old track and crossed a couple of fields before entering Kemerton. Apparently Princess Margaret, a friend of the Holland-Martin family, used to stay at Bells Castle and was known to go into the village shop and grab a bottle of gin. The shop owner was then told to charge it to the house. Walking through Kemerton itself we passed many old properties which would not usually be seen when passing through by car. A couple more fields saw us enter Overbury and take a coffee stop at St Faiths Church. Here, Janet pointed out a door in a wall behind which the village public phone used to be located.
From here we then headed towards Kemerton Court where Janet showed us where she used to live at Upper Court. Passing by Kemerton Court I remarked that I didn’t think any building here was less than 150 years old although that will soon change as construction on new properties has started further down the road.
We then retraced our steps back towards the cars. At the end of the ramble some of the group retired to the coffee shop in Kemerton for a welcome hot drink.
Carl
5.5 miles.
Water Water Everywhere
Hazel and Paul’s Midweek Ramble – 10 December
We set off in the morning towards the flooded River Severn with slight concern. As we approached we could see a way through to Upton along the river bank. We were rewarded with spectacular views – Upton looked like an Italian city, with the blue sky.
Other flooded paths didn’t stop the rest of the walk especially by Clives’ fruit farm, but the walk got longer and longer, but no-one complained.
Lunch at the Drum and Monkey was most enjoyable and a good time was had by all – we even managed to get back in the light!!
Hazel & Paul
6.0 miles (am) 7.0 miles (pm)
Timber-Frames and Trees
Diane’s Short Ramble – 17 December
Prepared to get very wet and muddy, twelve of us began a five mile circular ramble from/to the centre of Alcester. Founded by the Romans in AD47 as a walled fort, the Alcester of today is rich in architecture from the Medieval, Tudor, Georgian, Victorian eras and the 20th century.
Having passed St Nicholas Church we turned onto Maltmill Lane, noted for its black and white timber framed houses, we crossed Centenary Field and then onwards to Oversley Green.
After crossing the River Arrow we took a ‘slightly’ muddy footpath, through a couple of fields and then slightly uphill passing Oversley Hill Farm before taking the path under the A46 into Oversley Wood, touching on the Arden Way as we did so.
Oversley Wood covers approximately 230 acres. There is a good circular path as well as several other woodland paths that criss-cross the area. As we discovered, the latter paths can be extremely muddy following wet weather. Beginning on the circular path we then climbed uphill through much mud to reach the highest point in the Wood and eventually to a small clearing with a view over North West Alcester. Continuing on the woodland path we exited the Wood onto the Arden Way and then followed good paths/lanes to Oversley Green. Here, we headed towards Oversley Mill and after crossing the River Arrow we followed the river back towards Alcester.
A lovely walk with some great company, muddy but, thankfully, not as wet as we had anticipated earlier in the day. Following our ramble, and thanks to Rachel’s organisation skills, most of us sojourned to The Fish at Wixford for a well deserved spot of lunch.
Diane
5 miles
Like a Rolling Stone
Carl’s Sunday Ramble 21 December
We all met at Enstone on a fairly misty morning but fortunately it was dry.
We then set off towards Heythrop Hall before turning off and crossing a couple of fields with nicely mown paths. Reaching Lidstone Bottom and crossing the A44 we then passed over a field where the farmer had planted crops and not remade the path. However the crop was not advanced and it was easy walking apart from being a bit claggy. A slippy path through some woods then took us into Lidstone and our only real climb of the day which was up the lane to the top of the village.
A farm track took us past Stone Farm and the site of the medieval village of Nether Chalford. Old Chalford Farm took us past the premises of Sean Wilkinshaw Racing. For motorsport fans, Sean is the youngest son of former racer, tuner and F1 Team owner Tom Wilkinshaw. Unfortunately all cars had been put away so there was nothing to see. We had a coffee stop at one of the many manmade lakes on the River Glyme and watched a family of swans for a while. This is the same family that I photographed for the ramble post a few weeks ago. It was good to see them all still together.
Lunch was taken at the Wilderness which was once an ornamental park for Heythrop Park. We sat at an ornamental bench which was commissioned by Charles Talbot, 1st Duke of Shrewsbury, in the early 1700’s. Just down the path was a octagon bathing pool and bath house. The pool is now in a poor state of repair and none of us fancied taking a dip.
The afternoon saw us passing through Church Enstone and along a lane which had been badly overgrown a few weeks ago. It was now being cleared otherwise in a few years it would look like some of the old bridleways we often walk along. Reaching Cleveley we were able to see a small waterfall in the distance which was in full flow after the heavy rain a couple of days earlier. This was then to prevent us with a challenge when the road ahead was flooded. We were able to get across without feet getting too wet. Some quiet lanes and field paths then brought us back to Neat Enstone and finally our cars.
It seems every place name in the area incorporates Stone somewhere, hence the rolling stone reference in the title.
Carl
5.9 miles (am) 5.2 miles (pm)