Thursday 25th July -Terrible News received

 

Our Ruth . Last message received on 24th July

Not too many midges and weather should hold til Thursday

Body found in search for missing hillwalker

Image source, Ruth Betts family

Ruth Betts, 64, was reported missing after failing to return to her hotel in Fort William

A body has been found in the search for a missing hillwalker.

Formal identification has yet to take place but the family of 64-year-old Ruth Betts, reported missing in the area, have been made aware.

The body was discovered around 19:15 on Thursday on the An Garbhanach munro near Kinlochleven.

Ms Betts was reported missing after failing to return to her hotel in Fort William on Thursday.

The experienced hillwalker reached the 1,056m (3,464ft) summit of Na Gruagaichean in the Mamores at about 10:15 on Wednesday.

Mountain rescue volunteers, Search and Rescue Dog Association members and coastguard have been involved in an extensive search.

Police said there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Saturday 20th July Old Warden > Shuttleworth 6 miles led by Tony P

This 6 mile walk had 4 walkers and started from St Leonard’s church Old Warden.
Walking down past the church, we entered Church End before making our way up towards Mount Pleasant farm,
Turning off before the farm onto the track through the fields, we entered a wooded area running parallel to the road.
Some road walking then found us heading towards the Shuttleworth collection, where following the tracks through the fields brought us out onto the North Beds Heritage Trail, 

Kate leading Beryl & Tony

 Continuing round the perimeter of the airfield, planes were giving pleasure flights in readiness for the air show later in the day.

 

Walking on towards our well earned coffee break in a small shaded woodland, we were soon refreshed and rearing to go.

Tony R, Tony P & Kate

Once again on the NBHT, we continued some road walking leading us towards Warden Warren.
At the top of the incline we stopped for our picnic lunch on some well place logs.

One of the biplanes that kept buzzing us.

Suitably refreshed once again we continued through the warren and down into Old Warden passing the village hall before turning once again into the fields and joining the tracks that would lead us back towards the church.

The end of the walk.

 For the end of what was a very enjoyable walk, on a nice mild day with a breeze keeping us cool.  

Track of walk, walked in clockwise direction.

       Regards Anthony Price

Sunday 14th July STRAWBERRY TEA Afternoon at Lower East End Farm, Harlington

Sue led a short walk from Harlington Village Hall car park to Lower East End farm where we thoroughly enjoyed an afternoon in the sunshine having our strawberry tea.

The walkers

We walked down through the fields to the lower road and through the copse where we stopped for a short break.

In the copse.

Then continued along The Bottoms to the farm.

Walking along The Bottoms.

Six other members were already there when we arrived having driven to the farm as well as many villagers. We all enjoyed an afternoon with live music and some of us joined in the singing.
Looking around the beautiful gardens and meeting the horses and a donkey. Some of us even won raffle prizes. We were able to bring a picnic or enjoy the delicious cakes and cream and strawberry scones.
All donations raised went to the Harlington St Mary's church restoration fund.

Enjoying Tea and cakes.

Penny, Hilary & Anna looking around the beautiful garden

Beryl and Sue climb the castle!

Tony & Neal looking at the fish

Some of us joining in the singing

A lovely afternoon enjoyed by all.  Thanks to Sue

Thusday 11th July Sharpenhoe Sindon Hills walk

This 5 mile walk started from Sharpenhoe Clappers car park with 8 walkers.
Originally it was supposed to have started from Sundon Hills car park but due to road closures the route was reversed.
We left the car park and crossed the road, climbed a few steps & went through a kissing gate to cross a meadow with sheep grazing in it. We descended the hill to arrive at the path that goes along the base of the hills. The fields here seemed to be growing enough oats to feed the nation.

Eventually this climbed up to a seat with lovely views of the Bedfordshire countryside. Here we stopped for a short coffee and banana break.

 

We then descended into the chalk pit via some wooden steps. On leaving the chalk pit we further descended many steps where the old rail trackway used to take chalk to Harlington station. We then again walked along the base of the hills before climbing almost level with the top meadows. Here Sue & Hilary left us before we continued onwards down & then upwards to exit the valley through a kissing gate into the top meadow. 

Diane leading Janet up the steps.

Here we were joined by Beryl, who had started late & walked in the opposite direction to us hoping to meet us part way through the walk. We stopped for a second coffee break just outside Sundon Hills car park where we noted the old picnic tables had disappeared.

Here we met some young men searching for their drone which had become stuck in a tree. On starting again the followed the hedge line in an easterly direction, We passed through several gates before ascending another short flight of steps where formally using a rope was the only way to ascend the slope. Here the ground was very slippery & care was essential. We the followed the track through the woods keeping the steep drop on our left.  At the end of the woods we turned right to cross the road and enter another footpath directly opposite via a gate. This field contained a good crop of barley which we walked alongside before leaving it on a path between 2 sheep fields. This led to the main path from the car park which we followed back to our cars. We felt we had had a good walk with wonderful views and good weather.

Track of walk, walked in anti-clockwise direction.

Monday 1st July to Friday 5th July Club Holiday at Bourton on the Water

 Toddington Rambling Club Holiday 1st - 5th July 2024 

Harrington House Bourton On The Water 19 members travelled by car to Harrington House Bourton On The Water joined by other guests from England, America, Holland and Germany for a really enjoyable holiday. We had a daily choice of three walks with plenty of options for those who chose not to walk. 

Outside Harrington House ready for our short walk before checking in.

Monday 1st July 2024 

13 members arrived for lunch in the grounds followed by a 3mile gentle stroll from the house through wild flower meadows led by John. We passed through the Greystone Nature Reserve stopping to look at a replica Iron Age round house.  

Greystones Farm Nature Reserve

 

The replica round house took 5 months to build.

After checking into our lovely rooms we enjoyed a delicious cream tea. Later enjoying a 3 course dinner and getting to know other guests after which we retired to a lounge for tea and coffee.

Tuesday 2nd July 2024

There was a choice of 3 walks all walking from the house. 

Walk 1 Bourton to Cold Aston 6.5miles

Walking on the Windrush and Gloucestershire Ways to arrive in Cold Aston. Led by Yvonne, a lovely lady full of interesting information. Cold Aston a pretty village arranged around a green and a sycamore tree. Continuing across fields on the Sabrina Way and Monarchs Way back to Harrington House.

Hilda Hilary and Denise in Cold Aston

 The large Sycamore tree in Cold Aston

Walk 2 Cold Aston and Clapton 8.5 miles

Walking along the Sabrina Way to Clapton on the Hill visiting the church then Descending down through Marshmouth Farm to Harrington House.

 Setting off along the River Windrush

Rarely seen Edward V11 post box in Cold Aston

Walk 3 Cold Aston, Notgrove and Turkdean 12 miles 

The same start to Cold Aston then continue to Notgrove, a picturesque village with its Manor House and beautiful church, then onto Turkdean. Returning to Cold Aston on the MacMillan Way. Then following Monarchs Way to Harrington House.

Wednesday 3rd July 2024

Walk 1 - Toddington To Winchcombe 6 miles 

Walking through gently rolling countryside, passing a heritage railway, ancient churches, and the ruined Hailes Abbey, before ending the day at the interesting Cotswold town of Winchcombe.

 Hilda Linda and Hilary outside Toddington Manor a Victorian gothic Manor House built in 1840 and bought by artist Damien Hirst in 2005 for his art collection.

 

                                                          The remains of the gatehouse

 We strolled on and to our amazement arrived at Toddington heritage railway Station for a delicious snack and time to watch volunteers helping with the steam trains. 

Just in time for this amazing sight! 

Walk 2 - Winchcombe Circular 8.5 miles 

Enjoying the views over the far reaching Evesham Vale, the chapel of ease at Farmcote before passing Hailes Abbey and following the Cotswold Way to end at Winchcombe.

Highlight: The little chapel of ease at Farmcote.

 

Walking along the Cotswold Way from Winchcombe

Hailes church A Norman church with various medieval wall paintings.

 

Diane looking at the organ. You can just make out the wall paintings. 

 Walking on,  passing Sudeley Castle

 

Walk 3 - Langley Hill, Cleeve Hill & Belas Knap 10.5 miles

Ascend Langley Hill with views out towards the Vale of Evesham and the Malvern hills, before continuing on to Cleeve hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds, with stunning views of Winchcombe and Sudeley castle in the valley below.

Highlight: Belas Knap - a Neolithic long barrow situated on Cleeve hill.

 Thursday 4th July 

Following The Monarch’s Way Through The Cotswolds

Walk 1 - Broadwell To Bourton 6 1⁄2 miles  Walking along the Monarch's Way from the village of Broadwell to Bourton-on-the-Water. Stopping to explore Stow-on-the-Wold and enjoying a coffee stop then onto the delightful village of 

Lower Slaughter, voted the 'most romantic street in Britain'. With its idyllic cottages and watermill. 

Hilda at Lower Slaughter 

Lower Slaughter 

Walk 2  Longborough To Bourton 9 miles 

 The walk starts in the village of Longborough. Visiting St James’s church, wonderful architecture, then walking  to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswold, following the Monarchs Way, then onto Lower Slaughter and onto Bourton-on-the-Water.

The wonderful 13th Century St James’s church Longborough 

 

Beautiful St James’s church Longborough 

Having a rest after the climb up to the Battle of Stow monument with our  friends from America,  Germany and Holland.

 

The Fox Inn Broadwell -  Another picturesque village.

 

 The old Water pump

 

Crossing the River Dikler at Hyde Mill

 

The water mill at Lower Slaughter

 

Walking through idyllic Lower Slaughter stopping to admire the pretty cottages.

 

Walk 3 - Moreton-in-Marsh To Bourton 11.5 miles 

Following the Monarch's Way through gently rolling countryside. Starting from Moreton-in-Marsh our route takes us through Stow-on-the-Wold and Lower Slaughter back to Bourton.

 

During our last delicious evening meal of the week we enjoyed plenty of laughter and chatter with our group and new friends, catching up on our week.

 At Harrington House it is tradition to have a hand made boat/raft race on the last day. Not compulsory! So, during the week we collected items. Members voted on the rafts and any monies donated went to HF Holidays Pathways fund for those who could not otherwise afford a holiday. 

 After dinner we took our hand made boats and rafts and took them to the river. Members of the public came to watch and enjoy the fun. 

 

Bets placed!

 

Catching the rafts as they come to the finishing line.

 Friday 5th July Departure Day

After breakfast we said thank you to all the staff and our friends before making your way home.

Ready to go home!