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Pub Walk (72) Saturday 3rd
December 2016, from the Golden Ball, Lower Swell
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North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for
Real Ale
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Twelve walkers and a black Labrador
Maisie turned up at the Golden Ball for the 72nd of our
Saturday Pub Walks. The second time at this pub due to a change of landlords
and almost the same delightful route as before. Weather was warm and dry as we
set off after the team photo (Photo 1).
Heading left down the road towards Cheltenham in a Westerly direction to the
centre of the village then turned left towards the Slaughters. After a few
hundred yards left onto the Heart of England Way.
Straight
on for a mile and we crossed the River Dikler at Hyde Mill a lovely spot to
pause and enjoy the views (Photo 2
and 3). This is a junction of paths
but we veered left towards Stow passing several stables (Photo 4) up a steep climb before emerging at and crossing the Fosse
Way. Turning left and heading North uphill and into the main square passing the
Queens Arms.
(Photo 5) we rejoined the Fosse Way
then crossing over and turned left at the B4077 and along the Gloucestershire
Way heading down hill to Upper Swell.
The
views to the left and ahead are stunning at this point, and the walking easy on
the wide verge to the left of the road. Just past the gateway to Abbots Wood a
footpath appears to the left. A lovely garden and views to the left at this
point. Downhill (Photo 6) we crossed
the bridge over the River Dikler except Maisie who chose to paddle across (Photo 7) then just after we turned left
along the best section of the walk past Sheep Pen and Bowl Farm meeting other
walkers and a small dog. (Photo 8)
At
Lady’s Well we turned sharp right crossing a field to the distant church
disturbing some of our mascots (Photo 9)
and past a garden with some chickens (Photo
10) before emerging back at Lower Swell village where we turned left back
to the Pub.
Two
beers awaited our arrival, Donnington BB and Gold and our reserved table in the
dining room for an excellent lunch (Photo
11) See Martin Jones write up in 2016 Winter Tippler on this pub and the Landlords
John and Ania who previously ran the Half Way House. This has become a very popular
good value pub.
The
next walk is the 73rd of the series on Saturday 7th Jan
2017 at the Inn
for all Seasons, Little Barrington.
Report by
Roger Price
Tel 01451
810305
Mob 07850
429630
Pictures taken on the walk:
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^ Photo 1 ^ |
^ Photo 2 ^ |
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^ Photo 3 ^ |
^ Photo 4 ^ |
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^ Photo 5
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^ Photo 6
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^ Photo 7
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^ Photo 8
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^ Photo 9
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^ Photo 10
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^ Photo 11
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