‘Which tower is that?’
Paul and Fran’s Midweek Ramble – 9 July
Twelve ERC members gathered on the car park of the March Hare in Broughton Hackett on what was predicted to be the start of yet another very warm spell of weather.
Lots of water stops were the order of the day. Our walk took us towards the village of Crowle, across very dry and brown fields, followed by a short climb by road towards the village of Crowle. We then skirted around the village, following the ridge of Thrift Wood where we stopped for a break. We were treated to views across to Malvern, Clee Hill and Wales, and played a game of ‘Which tower is that?’ – with Paul Jennings winning a prize for identifying the most difficult one – the radio transmitter tower at the police headquarters at Hindlip.
Next up was the village of Crowle itself, including a call into a barn with a collection of ‘barn find’ old cars (where else would you find a ‘barn find?) which distracted both Pauls and Carl for a while.
We then left Crowle, crossing more brown fields, back to our start at the March Hare where our gang tucked into delicacies from the menu, once the inevitable food order challenges were dealt with.
In the afternoon our numbers dropped to 8 and given the rising temperatures, the loop was shortened. We still took in White Ladies Aston, named, so Google told us, after the white habit wearing Cistercian Nuns nearby, with Aston being an Anglo Saxon name for ‘East Farm’.
We then headed back to the start. Along the way Paul Jennings spotted a gatekeeper butterfly, doing a very poor job as it was a few hundred yards from the nearest gate. Next up on the animal front was a flock of sheep who looked very bewildered by our presence, with one very vocally and gruffly expressing her displeasure.
Thank you to everyone who joined us.
Paul & Fran
5.5 miles a.m. 4.9 miles p.m.
Simmering by the Severn
Paul and Hazel’s Evening Ramble – 11 July
We set off from The Rose and Crown, at Severn Stoke on a extremely hot evening. The village is reknowned for frequent flooding from the River Severn but not this evening. We noted the historic Norman Church of St. Denys’ and and headed across towards Clifton.
Views on the way included the Panorama Tower built for the 6th Earl of Coventry and views of the imposing Severn Bank, an imposing 19th century mansion with Gothic windows and crenellated walls.
We then followed the Severn Way back south to the village and welcome refreshment at the Rose and Crown.
Hazel & Paul
5.5 miles
Where have all the flowers gone?
Geoff & Pat’s Short Ramble – 16 July
It was a bright, sunny day when we set out from Andoversford and passed the site of a Roman Villa to reach the ancient village of Whittington. We admired the old water fountain inscribed with the motto “Waste not, want not”.
Our route then ascended a series of fields where we had previously enjoyed a beautiful variety of wild flowers. However the farmer had got carried away with his new tractor – hence the title of our walk. The steady climb was rewarded with far-reaching views all around. We headed down grassy meadows into Sevenhampton where we had a drinks break at the church. The church is worth a visit to see the lovely stained glass windows.
Leaving the small village we continued uphill then turned and walked past crops of ripe wheat and barley. We went through a small woodland to Syreford and arrived back in Andoversford where we decided to call at a local pub for welcome refreshments.
Geoff & Pat
5.6 miles
Harvester dodging, with a ramble as a bonus!
Clive’s Friday Evening Ramble – 25 July
A perfect Summer’s evening for this ramble where we welcomed new members, Jeraldene and James (probably our youngest member) and Michael (who was new to me).
We strolled across the fields to Wormington and round past Dumbleton Mill and back to the fields where we had to play ‘dodge the combine’ as the harvest was in full flow.
It was a warm evening so the refreshments at the Dumbleton Village club were most welcome.
Thanks everybody.
Clive
5.1 miles
Salperton – The neatly manicured “Estate” village.
Geoff and Pat’s Sunday Ramble – 27 July
We met in the yard, having permission to park, pleased that they had remembered to unlock the gates. The group of 12 were all good walkers and the weather was fine.
We started by passing the War Memorial with the 18th Century Grade 11 listed mansion and the Norman Church on our left. Our route passed through the tiny village of Hazleton which also had a Norman church, then continued South where we met a wide bridle way which ran parallel to the A40 but the sound from this busy road was masked by the trees and shrubs growing alongside.
We turned and headed to Turkdean, another small village with a Norman church and remains of a Roman villa. Then joining the Macmillan Way we made the “steady climb” to Cold Aston for our picnic lunch. Diane remarked that this was useful practice before her Austrian holiday. We sat under the spreading Sycamore tree (or was it a White Oak?) and were treated to delicious cake made by Florina.
The return through Notgrove to Salperton Park gave pleasant views of crops ready for harvest and beautiful Cotswold countryside with very few buildings. Diane gave a vote of thanks and we headed home, negotiating the myriad small lanes leading from this peaceful spot.
Geoff & Pat
11.0 miles