May 2009: A walk in the Cotswolds

On Saturday 9^th May an intrepid band set off on a mountain climbing expedition ably led by Pat Long—actually it only felt like a mountain climb as it was in South Cerney but we all know the Cotswolds can be pretty steep.  We were well fortified prior to the walk by a delicious soup, cheese and dessert lunch provided by the Longs then we reconvened by the Bathurst Arms.  We were lulled into a false sense of security as we wandered through meadows full of wild flowers.  This was the handle of a frying pan shaped walk! We strolled alongside the Churn (Cerney is apparently derived from Churn.) and then passed through a gate (it was a kissing gate and some of the troops made the most of the opportunity).  At this point we headed uphill and very steep it was but lots of compensation for the effort involved.  Pat pointed out a rare flower called Herb Paris and we subsequently found seven more.  At this point we were walking along the edge of a wood.  On our right was a line of very old trees, probably planted to mark an estate boundary.  On our left the wood was full of vivid blue proper English bluebells –not your usurping Spanish type which seem to be taking over my garden.  There were also swathes of wild garlic like a white carpet.  Shame about the smell.  We reached the top of the hill, leaving the wood and once again walked through meadow getting a nice view of Rendcomb College in the distance flanked by a couple of magnificent copper beeches dressed in their finest colours. Having had the chance to recover from the uphill by going downhill we reached the pan handle again and puffed our way uphill again—well, I did—funny, I’m sure it wasn’t that steep going the other way.

Thank you so much Pat for a lovely lunch and a most enjoyable walk in aid of the Cottages Fund.

Suzy Hime

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