2009
Twelve people (and two dogs) took part in the walk on Cleeve Hill, in the winter sunshine and snow, in February, and six people walked in the much warmer and very sunny weather on Crickley Hill in March.
Ten people (and one dog) took part in the walk around Cranham, in the warm April
sunshine, last month. The panoramic
view of Cheltenham and
On 21 August five intrepid walkers set out from Winchcombe in the rain on a pilgrimage to St Kenelm’s Well, a holy well connected with the martyred prince, patron saint of the vanished Winchcombe Abbey. The water in the well is said to have miraculous powers and when we reached the well the rain stopped and the sun came out – a miracle.
In September six walkers met at the bottom of
the Malvern Hills and eventually reached the top of the Beacon and were rewarded
with a wonderful 360O panoramic view from Black Mountains in Wales,
to the Hills of Shropshire and back round to the Cotswold escarpment; truly a
place to enjoy God’s handiwork.
2010
In
July seven ‘footsloggers’ enjoyed a gentle walk along the southern stretches
of the Malvern Hills with a welcome break at a pub near the Malvern Wyche
cuttings. 
It
was a beautifully warm and sunny day with magnificent
views all around.
In
August ten ‘footsloggers ventured around Rodborough and Minchinhampton Common
with Brenda Little leading from the front. The surrounding views were magic and
the company terrific. Following an ice cream stop half way, a picnic lunch break
at the end, was enjoyed by all.
September
This
time there were ten of us (and Mollie the dog) who met in the lovely village
of Chedworth one cloudy Monday morning in September. We
enjoyed a steady ramble through fields and woods, past llamas, over the
old railway embankment and alongside the beautiful, meandering river Churn
until we came to the Roman Villa site. Ice creams were sadly not available as
it is closed on Mondays, but after a short rest we carried on across more
woods and fields to complete our five mile circuit. Time for a quick snapshot
in front of Chedworth village Church before tasting the delights of lunch in
the Seven Tuns pub just a stone’s throw away.
2011
Footslogging around Haresfield
The March walk saw
thirteen Footsloggers meeting on a fine Monday morning in the car
park for
Haresfield Beacon. Our thanks go to Brenda Little who organized the walk for us
and we had magnificent views over the Severn Valley with lovely fine weather.
Our route took us around the Beacon and then on along part of the Cotswold Way
past farms and through beech woods with buds ready to burst into leaf. We came
across a commemoration stone for the lifting of the siege of Gloucester from
Civil War times and then later we came to the well for Cliffwell Cottages, with
an inscription which aptly fitted the theme for the following Sunday service at
St Andrews. We returned to the cars and whizzed down the hill to meet with
another two of our temporarily incapacitated members to enjoy a tasty and
well-earned lunch. Thank you Brenda!
Bob Alger
Footslogging
around Brimpsfield
A
warm and sunny day in April witnessed twelve Footsloggers (and a dog) assemble
at the Foston's Ash for the customary photograph, prior to a six mile walk
around the rim of the steep Climperwell valley to the west of Brimpsfield. Our
walk leader, Tim Odell, led us on a northerly course through the Hazel Hangar
Woods area, before turning east towards the outskirts of the village, and then
swinging south towards Longdole Barn.
In
the open countryside, we stopped for refreshments at the training circuit of the nearby Polo Centre,
and watched pairs of galloping horses, under the control of a single rider, as
they were put through their paces. As we were also celebrating Tim's birthday
that day, we toasted his health with a small libation of something bubbly (not
Tango), and gave a suitably hushed rendition of the traditional Birthday
Chorus.
The
final leg of the route took us west, to the bottom of the Climperwell valley
before a final ascent to regain the high ground and home. The morning was
completed with an excellent lunch at the Foston's Ash, courtesy of The Times
newspaper luncheon vouchers - thank you Tim.
August 2011
A number of hardy walkers set
foot along the ‘Sculpture Trail’ in the Forest of Dean, led by Tim Odell. The
16 or so sculptures are the inspiration of artists exhibiting the forest trees,
wildlife and industrial past. The sculptures, constructed from natural materials
from the Dean Forest, are made of wood, stone and iron. The sculptures are sited
along the trail through majestic oaks and towering Scots pine trees
September 2011
Bob and Jill
Glen led us on a fascinating walk along the banks of the river Windrush.
Although a little breezy at times, the weather managed to stay dry. A welcomed
lunch at the Royal Oak in Burford was enjoyed by all afterwards.
Footsloggers
welcomes new members - contact details can be obtained from In Touch.
Roger
Little