Home Walks Photos Archive 2005		'Twixt Chalford and Brimscombe - 22 January 2005

	Bruno, our leader, greets 20 of us on an initially grey winter's morning.
	We set off along the towpath of the disused Thames and Severn canal. Up on the left are the arches of Brunel's railway viaduct, looking as strong as ever.
	The Chalford Valley is very steep, and crowded with cottages. Years ago, donkeys were used to carry goods up and down. The roads are narrow and often crowded with parked cars.
	Passing Chalford Round House. Note the water spilling off the canal.
	The sun comes out as we climb up towards Brownshill.
	We cope with a terrible collapsed stile and barbed wire - to be reported to the Highways Department post haste!
	We pass St Raphael's Convent at Brownshill, and the viburnum tinus is in full flower.
	We descend to the valley floor, gaining wider and wider views ....
	... towards Brimscombe and Rodborough Common.
	We arrive at Brimscombe Port ...
	... and admire the sturdy mill buildings. The golden willows make a cheery sight.
	Now the adventure begins. Several of us have tried this path in the past up towards Besbury Common and given up. It really is a wilderness, with humps and hollows, thickets and clearings, and no footprints except for wild animals.
	Bruno thinks it's this way ....
	Yes, we seem to be winning ....
	Up we go to the corner, and have to climb a gate into a lawned area looking very private, with no waymarks. Later the GPS route is compared against the OS Map, and amazingly we are virtually on line all the way up! Note the distant Rodborough Common on the left, and Whiteshill in the distance.
	An easier stretch through the woods brings us to Cowcombe Wood, and we descend steeply over difficult stiles and over the railway back down to Valley Corner. Jim advises us not to tread on the sleepers or rails in case they are slippery with diesel oil spillages. Apparently Railtrack are not required to fit walking boards to these minor crossings. Instead the drivers have to sound their warnings as they approach.
	Just over six miles and 1,200 feet of ascent makes for a great walk, and it starts to rain just after we finish! If any walker would like today's route map, please let us know.