Home page > Walks photos <		southcotswoldramblers.org.uk Gossington and Slimbridge 9 June 2007 Another of Bernard's adventures on Saturday. A machete was sorely needed and we were all starting to flag with the heat by the end. Still all sixteen of us enjoyed the 10 mile walk and made it safely back to the cars, although as you will see from the pictures we nearly lost Bernard in a ditch! .
		The usual start to one of Bernard's walks - a car boot sale of walks books .
		Our first obstacle - the footpath goes through a field of rape - so we go round the headland .
		Waiting for Bernard to clear a path to the gate .
		Then it's off across a slightly easier field .
		Heading for the canal .
		Where we have a break .
		And meet some inquisitive locals .
		We watch the traffic on the canal .
		And the manually operated swing bridge .
		Before setting off along the canal .
		Enjoying the morning sun .
		While others are more energetic .
		Continuing along the canal .
		We pass a pumping station getting water to Bristol .
		And reach Purton as a boat passes through the swing bridge .
		Giving us chance to look at the old lock keeper's cottage .
		As we wait for our roadway to be restored .
		Over the other side we stop for lunch .
		Watch more boats pass up the canal .
		With the church behind us .
		Then we head uphill across the fields .
		With views back across the Severn .
		Along the edge of a field of maize .
		Round a field of barley .
		Another field of maize .
At least the farmer has left a path through this one .
But we are soon ploughing through another field of barley .
Before coming to a more passable track .
Which takes us to this farm - might be a good place to start a ramble .
Now we cross a meadow with hundreds of wild flowers .
Before hitting the barley again .
And again .
Which seems to come up higher and higher .
A nice change - we are now into wheat .
Is Bernard trying to tell me something? .
The smile means he hasn't had to beat down the undergrowth to get over the stile .
A secluded pond .
Our route takes us over rough pasture belonging to a riding stables .
Being a good leader Bernard warns us of a dangerous bridge over a deep ditch .
So we only have one casualty - Bernard .
Still we drag him out, dust him off, and on he presses .
Taking us next through an overgrown squeeze stile .
And past this happy fellow .
Over another field of maize - this will soon be impenetrable .
A last pause before heading back along the road to the cars .
	Thanks to Richard for the photos and captions
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	As you can see, we thoroughly enjoy getting to know the South Cotswolds. We try to keep fit and succeed in having a good old chat. If you are interested in coming with us, see our walks programme and ring the leader if you have any questions about a particular walk. After two or three walks we hope you will then want to join the group as part of the national Ramblers' Association.