Circular walk around Colwell

Colwell circular walk ending up in the Wellington Inn for giant sarnies

Clent Hills

Clent Hills then Hagley Hall Gift Fayre and coffee

Bromsgove Locks

Wotton Under Edge

Wotton Under Edge to Tyndale Monument

Gower weekend

Youth Hostel weekend away at Port Eynon
Saturday walk Worm's Head to Port Eynon Yucky dinner in the Smugglers
Sunday walk Rhossilli Down - over the top and then back along the bottom for some first class coffee, made by an expert in the local cafe

Goodrich Castle and Wye Valley

Met up at Goodrich Castle, welcoming new member Jane to the party and set off up a steep road toward the Youth Hostel. Walked down through beech woods and joined the river bank. After a wet start the sun came out and the silence was only broken by us chattering and the sounds of the occasional canoeists paddling down the river.
Opposite Yat rock we took a footpath that climbed through old woods next to a very mossy broken dry stone wall spotting orchids and pearl tipped fritillaries ( the sign said so!) along the way. We came out onto the top of the ridge above Goodrich surrounded by bluebells and the occasional solitary white one. Following a windy footpath we descended back down to the castle tearooms for a much needed tea and coffee break.

Forest of Dean - Speech House

Began with a visit to Speech House Hotel to see the Verderer's Court, one of the oldest in the country. Then we set off properly hoping to see some bluebells but as it turned out we were about a week early to see them at their best.


After a lovely walk through woods and past man-made lakes in the forest we came to a clearing with a refreshment van and couldn't resist stopping for wild boar baps and cups of tea.
Taking a diversion on the way home we decided to climb May Hill and get some great views over the Severn and over to Sugar Loaf mountain.

2011 Plans

Next walk planned is in April but not sure where we're going yet but June sees us off to the Gower for a weekend away and September we're going to give Snowdon another go. Even if the weather beats us again it's easy to find some wonderful lower level walks.

February 2011

Bourton and The Slaughters

Starting in Upper Slaughter we walked through to Lower Slaughter alongside the river and although it was a muddy walk it was also very pleasant. Arriving in Bourton we sought out coffee and some very tasty baguettes in one of the riverside pubs.

Feeling in a lazy mood we lingered until the rain started and then made our way back by way of fields and pathways sprinkled with snowdrops.

Back at Upper Slaughter we visited the church and found a shrine with one of the nicest epitaphs you could wish to find. Just got away as the rain started pelting down.

http://www.places-to-go.org.uk/The_Slaughters.htm

January 2011

Chalford, Bussage and Ship Hotel at Brimscombe Port

Parked in a layby and made our way across the road and down to the disused canal. Toffee was in her element hunting out waterbirds from the reeds and was soon wet and muddy. It was interesting to be in a more urban setting with lots of interesting mill buildings on the side of the canal. We then went under a tunnel which took us up onto the side of the hill and through a beech wood ending up at the turquoise coloured pond above.

http://www.chalfordhill.org.uk/history.htm

December 2010

Alderton and The Gardners Arms

November 2010

Dowdeswell Nature Reserve

http://http://www.completely-cotswold.com/chelt/dowdes/dowdes.htm

October 2010

Snowdon Ranger Youth Hostel

September 2010

Bredon Hill
Elmley Castle