Bisley September 2010

Bisley Walk

Started off from The Bear at Bisley which incidently looks a nice pub to come back to at some point. The walk was described at six miles with some strenuous parts. Once again we were lucky with the weather and it was a glorious September day, not too hot but just right for a walk.
The route quickly took us into wooded valleys which looked lovely with the dappled sun coming through the trees. As the description said some bits were steep , both ascending and descending but nothing we couldn't cope with. After all we have a mountain coming up next month.
Stopping for a picnic of sandwiches, cake and crisps- what other sort of picnic is there- we sat overlooking some huge Cotwold houses and farms near Slad.
Needless to say we went wrong somewhere along the route and ended up having to double back on ourselves so when we came to the last stretch along the banks of a little stream we were all feeling rather hot and sticky and couldn't wait to get the boots off.
We limped back into Bisley at around four and quickly found the village shop which sold Winstone's Ice Cream. All in all a lovely September walk passed hedgerows full of blackberries, sloes and elderberries.

Broadway to the Tower

August 22nd

Met up in Broadway and took a right out of the village towards the Tower. After a steepish climb through fields and passed delapidated dry stone walling we reached the Tower for a well earned rest. Spurning the delights of The William Morris Room but promising to return to it at some future date we sat outside the cafe and enjoyed a pot of tea with all the other visitors. Finding a huge iguana in the tearoom though is a little unexpected and just a little sad.

Carrying on away from the bustle we found a flock of sheep just about to be fed. The farmer advised us they were Suffolk rams and good for putting with less sturdy sheep - so continuing our sheep breed identification skills. He even suggested that we should go to the Moreton Show in September, little did he know that we were thinking this would just blow our minds completely with all that livestock.

We got a bit lost on the way back to Broadway and ended up having to turn around and go back the way we'd just been for a while but we did manage to see someone's very nice house from both the front and the back. Eventually came down to the village through what turned out to be the hunt stables. Surprised that this was so close to the centre but none of us knew it existed.

August walk

Putting Snowdon to the back of our minds for the moment we have the venue for a late summer walk to decide. If anyone has a brilliant ideas please let us know . Up for consideration so far are an Arts and Craft walk on Minchinhampton Common, a stroll alongside the canal, a waterside walk near the Wye river or perhps some much needed mountain climbing pratice?

Mountains

Now what is about mountains that you feel the need to conquer them? I'll give you one guess which one of the famous four feels the greatest need to rise to a challenge. Yes, Nicky has proposed trying Snowdon next. We've even set a date in early October and are currently researching routes and dog friendly places to stay. It all sounds wonderful but can we make it at the end of Week One? Of course we can......?????

Pershore circular walk

A very relaxing riverside walk in the sun. I think it was about five miles in total but we took a slight detour to look at the abbey in Pershore and stop for a well earned cup of tea at the Angel Hotel.

Next date for walk lined up

Ok after the exertions of the Brecon Beacons we are going for a shorter walk on July 12th before we settle down to watch the World Cup Final. We haven't quite decided where to go yet- maybe around Evesham somewhere. Also need to decide what the next challenge is going to be - any suggestions welcomed.

Midsummer madness

21 June 2010

After much hard work our intrepid heroes reached the summit. Lots of pics on facebook. We went up and came down having eaten packed lunch and emergency Mars bars. The day was beautiful, the visibility fantastic and all was right with the world.
Had a cheerful welcome at a wonderful hotel in Crickhowell- Mary Portas you've got your work cut out there!

Now where next????????

5 days to go....

So here we are at the peak of physical fitness and rearing to go. Still small things to do like plan our route and purchase stretchers. Do we go for a short steep route or a longer more gradual option? Should we pack a paraglider for a quick descent? How many chocolate bars will be needed? So many questions and so little time....

Brecon Beacons National Park Things to do » Pen-y-Fan - the highest mountain in southern Britain - from The Travel Editor .com

Brecon Beacons National Park Things to do » Pen-y-Fan - the highest mountain in southern Britain - from The Travel Editor .com

Pen-y-fan and Cribyn, Brecon Beacons | Travel - Times Online

Pen-y-fan and Cribyn, Brecon Beacons Travel - Times Online

Walking in England

Walking in England

June 21st

OK get ready the date is set.
We're all in training, the day has been booked off and we're ready to go. Pen Y Fan is calling us and hopefully we've picked a good day. Not too hot and with great visibility for the view from the top!

Wotton walk May 29th 2010

A late start meant that we met in The Chipping as the drizzle started and we set off on one of The Cotswold Way circular walks taking in Wortley and then back to Wotton along the stream. Of course the usual crowd were there Heather, Jane Nicky Lorna and for the last time before she flies back to the sun Lady Fiona. http://wotton-under-edge.com/map As our map reading went wrong somewhere along the route we ended up skirting a newly planted field of corn which we were pretty sure wasn't on the route. This detour brought us out at the foot of a gully which took us up a steep hill and out into a long field of soaking wet grass. It was then that the rain came down. By this time our boots were soaked through and we were looking more and more like a bunch of drowned rats. Toffee revelled in the wet grass and leapt about like a demented frog.

The rain cleared up and the sun came out as we made our way through some of the prettiest country lanes filled with wild flowers. No one can deny that Gloucestershire is one of the most beautiful counties and we are so lucky to be able to walk in this countryside just an hour away from home.

On our descent into Wotton we met a fellow walker, however, he was travelling a little bit further than we were as he was enroute from Lands End to John O Groats in aid of Clic Cancer. It turned out that he'd lost his seventeen year old son to the disease and was walking not only to raise money but also as therapy for himself. He was walking along with a little Jack Russell for company and bivouacking each night - rather him than me is all I can say.

We walked into Wotton along the path next to the stream where Jane used to take Tim and Olly to play Pooh sticks- cue ahhhhh! Back in the town we visited the Perry Dawes Almshouses and the pretty little church it contains built in 1630 - a must visit. Soaking wet and very dirty, and not just Toffee, we called in on Marian and Phil who provided much needed hot tea and choccy biccies. An excellent end to a lovely walk.

Next walk

We're still working towards our ascent of Pen Y Fan but the date keeps slipping! However we have a date now for the next walk - May 29th. This time we'll be heading off south towards Wotton or Old Sodbury to do a circular walk with a starting point on the Cotswold Way- so either

10: Wotton-under-Edge
As rich farmland gives way to woodland tracks and rolling parkland, this enchanting walk leads you from scarp top to valley bottom, back into one of the Cotswold’s most charming and thriving small towns. With spectacular views, intriguing shops and historic architecture, all tastes will find something wonderful in this special little corner of the Cotswolds.
Distance: 5 miles (6½ with detour to Newark Park)
Duration: 3 - 4 hours (4 - 5 hours with detour)
Difficulty: Moderate – Stiles and steep sections.
Download the walk
or
11. Old Sodbury - The Hill Fort and Church
From the delightful village of Old Sodbury, follow the Cotswold Way up to the serenity of a medieval church, around oak-fringed farmland and along shaded paths to the breath-taking outcrop of an iron-age hillfort. Views, history, peace and rest all combine to make this simple little stroll a wonderful taster of the southern Cotswolds.
Distance: 2½ miles
Duration: 1½ - 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – no stiles, steepish slopes.
Download the walk
We'll have a discussion closer to the date when we know better what sort of weather we'll be up against and also checked out the quality of the local pubs.

Latest news

No walks planned at the moment. Lorna has a bad back and the rest of us are too busy/tired/hayfevery to arrange anything.

We still intend scaling the heights of Pen Y Fan but not sure when. Now to go and nag the others about adding to the blog.

The Sculpture Trail Forest of Dean

Welcome to the Forest of Dean a genuinely magical place, where you can really get away from it all and enjoy yourself. The Forest of Dean, the 'Queen of Forests', has something for everyone - unique and fascinating heritage, spectacular and varied landscapes, plus warm and friendly hospitality.
This special area became the country's first National Forest Park in 1938 and is England's largest oak forest. Tucked between the rivers Wye, Leadon and Severn in western Gloucestershire, it has always been a place apart, living life in its own way.

In 1984 sculptors were invited to visit the Forest to create inspirational works of art. The result? a three and a half mile sculpture trail through majestic oaks and pines which was opened in 1986. The latest sculpture 'Echo' by Annie Cattell was launched in 2009. The sculpture is cast from 310 million year old rocks - touch it and discover the detail with your fingertips.

The view from British Camp looking North.

Next Walk- April 10th Malverns

The Malverns and Malvern Hills in Worcestershire
The Malvern Hills are officially designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and are a famous beauty spot, with scenic views over both English Counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The Hills run north/south for about 13km and overlook the River Severn valley to the East, with the Cotswolds beyond. The highest point of the Hills is the Worcestershire Beacon at 425 metres. The hills are famous for their natural mineral springs & wells, and were resposible for the devopment of Great Malvern as a spa in the early 19th century .
There are two passes through the hills, the Wyche cutting ( Wyche means salt) and the A449 road just north of Herfordshire beacon. The Herefordshire beacon is also known as the British Camp, as the remains of an iron age hill fort can be found at the summit.
The are six places with the Malvern name, Great Malvern, Little Malvern, West Malvern, Malvern Link, North Malvern and Malvern Wells.The Malverns and Malvern Hills in Worcestershire
The Malvern Hills are officially designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and are a famous beauty spot, with scenic views over both English Counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The Hills run north/south for about 13km and overlook the River Severn valley to the East, with the Cotswolds beyond. The highest point of the Hills is the Worcestershire Beacon at 425 metres. The hills are famous for their natural mineral springs & wells, and were resposible for the devopment of Great Malvern as a spa in the early 19th century .
There are two passes through the hills, the Wyche cutting ( Wyche means salt) and the A449 road just north of Herfordshire beacon. The Herefordshire beacon is also known as the British Camp, as the remains of an iron age hill fort can be found at the summit.
The are six places with the Malvern name, Great Malvern, Little Malvern, West Malvern, Malvern Link, North Malvern and Malvern Wells.

Pen y fan

The target !!!
Pen y Fan - Brecon Beacons 2907' 886m (GR SO 012215)
To the east lie the Black Mountains, with a high point of 811 metres at Waun Fach. They also form a natural border with Herefordshire, in England.

The Central Beacons (from which the Park gets its name) dominate the skyline to the south of the town of Brecon and rise to 886 metres at Pen y Fan, the highest point in southern Britain.

Further west lies the sandstone massif of Fforest Fawr, comprising a series of hills known as 'Fans', with Fan Fawr being the highest point at 734 metres. Water rushing southwards from this area has formed steep river valleys with spectacular waterfalls.

The most westerly block of sandstone is Y Mynydd Du, The Black Mountain, culminating in the summit of Fan Brycheiniog at 802 metres and contains the two enchanting glacial lakes of Llyn y Fan Fach and Llyn y Fan Fawr.

Chipping Camden

Eight Bells Chipping Camden for lunch
Court Barn Museum Arts and Crafts Museum
http://www.courtbarn.org.uk/

Dovers Hill Walk 6th March 2010

Met up in the car park at Dovers Hill and set off for the shorter section of the walk which took us down the hill and through the woods. Although the weather had been beautiful the previous day and was wonderful the following day we chose a misty murky day for our walk. Lots of the trees had fallen over exposing their roots and giving the countryside a strange atmosphere reminiscent of a scene from The Lord of the Rings. Throughout the walk we could hear the tap, tap, tap of a woodpecker somewhere up in the treetops.
On the way back up the hill we stopped and watched the sheep idly moving to a new part of the field, walking slowly in single file with a few stragglers bringing up the rear. Needless to say Toffee was getting bored at this point and straining to be hurrying along. The walk took about an hour and a half in total.
1. Chipping Campden
This delightful short walk leads you through the charmingly English market town of Chipping Campden, around shaded woodlands and past breathtaking views. A wonderful introduction to the Cotswolds, and a perfect start to the Cotswold Way.

Distance: 4½ miles (Short cut: 3 miles)
Duration: 2½ -3½ hrs (Short cut: 1½-2½ hrs)
Difficulty: Moderate, some steep sections (Short cut: Easy, avoids climbs)
Download the walk

http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Cotswold/uploads/walk1-chipping%20campden%204%20website(1).pdf

Stanton walk Sunday 21st February

Lorna, Heather, Nicky and Jane
Stanton, Snowshill and the Edge
This beauty of a walk leads you between two of the most picturesque villages in the Cotswolds, over hilltops, down valleys and through shaded woodlands. Whilst slightly more challenging than others in the series, your efforts will be rewarded by invitingly warm pubs and some of the most splendid views in the country.

Distance: 6 miles (Short cut 2½ miles)
Duration: 3½ -4½ hrs (Short cut 1½ - 2½ hrs)
Difficulty: Moderate, some steep sections and stiles. Muddy sections after wet weather.
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Cotswold/uploads/walk3-stanton-snowshill%204%20website%20revised2.020210.pdf