Curly's Capers

Few words: few pictures; no theme, just events from the last two weeks in April 2011. I saw a twist in the river Coln. I looked down on the contented village of Uley. From the car I saw the Severn valley stretch before me. I observed a green way of cutting grass. The flags and bunting went out in the towns. And, oh yes there was that wedding . Ciao4now Ck.

In a recent post  " Winchcombe Caught Knapping" 01/04/'11 , I lamented the fact that on this  Cotswold Way  circular walk, I made the wrong deduction and went the wrong way from Belas Knap. Thus on Tuesday 12th April 2011, I set out to partly re-trace my steps, allowing me to finish the walk, using the correct route. The day was similar in temperature, but the clouds were more wispy and the ground underfoot, still remained firm. The uphill track from opposite the Cricket Ground, was this time bereft of horses, and reaching the top I headed off on the road diagonally left for about a quarter of a mile. The views to the valley below were superb. In a while a track took the walker left and downwards, past cottages, with wonderful views eastwards, towards Sudeley Castle and Winchcombe. After following the path to the right of farm buildings, you are led through meadows and over stiles, as you descend to Winchcombe. In the above picture, you can clearly

I have now walked the Thames Path  from its source near Kemble to Castle Eaton and also from the Riverside Car Park to St John's Lock, situated just past Lechlade. I will probably not bother with  the ' missing ' 3.5 miles, as it involves, walking over a mile on the busy A361 road and apart from Inglesham Church has little to recommend it. At some time in the future, I may find myself at Oxford, Marlow or Windsor for example and will report on the Thames then. I hope, at least, that I have shown you how, from a trickle near the source, the infant Thames, often called Isis, develops in size and power, until at Lechlade, it reaches enough maturity to; in olden days, allow barges to convey cheese and stone to London. My last posting, tried to point, with prose, picture and video this journey from stream to river. I must however set the record straight, by admitting, that "Father Thames" was commissioned in 1854 for Crystal Palace and was sculpted by Raffaele M

From Gloucestershire stones a wetness becomes  a slow trickle: modest, feeding from springs, 'til a stream issues forth; sallying twixt meadows and driven under lane and road. Kemble, Ewen and Somerford Keynes like watery solicitors rush by,  without disturbing the flow of baby Isis, until gravel pits subsume the infant into a water park bath. Near Cricklade, bank order is restored again. Ancient meadowlands wait for their Easter flowers and in time fritillary of snake's- head  nod to the coming river. Onwards past Cricklade, in tight curves the slim river forces through reeds and engulfing vegetation. Then at Lechlade,waist is expanded and authority is assumed. Isis is Thames. Proud H'penny Bridge in toll position, near long gone conjunction with the Severn Canal remembers  waggons and barges laden with Cotswold stone and cheeses  journeying downriver to 'The Smoke.' Does  Father Thames, somnolent in St.John

The above photograph shows the scene at Marine Lake, Clevedon, last Wednesday 6th April 2011. It was a beautiful,  still day.  The lakeside was strangely quiet, with no seagulls to be heard and only three adults using radio control to guide model yachts across the lake's surface. I should explain, that Clevedon is on the coast,  and this was the view from the other side of the lake. This was also deserted and  apart from a few bottles mindlessly smashed against the rocks, Clevedon had a peaceful sense of innocence. Sandwiches and coffee went down well. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-clevedoncourt Within a couple of miles of Clevedon, is the National Trust property of Clevedon Court. This view is taken from the rear of the building; from the aspect of the terraced garden. Here the photograph shows a more elevated  picture. The early April blossom  was on display. Clevedon Court, in core form,  has survived since medieval times, and the remains of a por

Date: Tuesday 29th March 2011 Location:  Winchcombe, Gloucestershire. Purpose :   Cotswold Way  Circular Walk: 4. Winchcombe and Belas Knap. Distance:   5.25 miles. Conditions: generally grey, but sun possibly emerging later. Good to firm ground. Temperature:    8 - 11 degrees C. All went well at the start; the picture above shows daffodils at the point along Vineyard Street, where the trail turns right and heads across a grassy meadow " in the shadow of St. Peter's Church." After passing along field boundaries, Corndale Lane is reached. Turn left, and continue along the road for about .25 miles until a right is taken  to pass by the Winchcombe Cricket Ground. The walk then continues on the left via a kissing gate up a steeply rising field. In this field were many horses. This field represents a good fitness check; as it is a tiring ascent. In the top left hand corner is a further kissing gate, leading onto a road. At this point the mission went wrong. My directi