southcotswoldramblers.org.uk Frampton-on-Severn and Saul Wednesday 4 November 2009

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		John's third walk on the trot is from the Bell Inn at Frampton-on-Severn
		And off we go across the huge village green .
		Past ponds ..
		And old houses .
		With a history .
		Through the lych gate (including our youngest member!) .
		A chance for a chat in the pleasant sunshine .
		We are not alone .
		As we continue .
		Towards the church .
		John shows us his Irish blackthorn walking stick with 46 nails - one for each year that he has used it! Wikipedia says - straight blackthorn stems have traditionally been made into a walking stick or club (known in Ireland as a shillelagh). In the British Army, blackthorn sticks are carried by commissioned officers of the Royal Irish Regiment; the tradition also occurs in Irish regiments in some Commonwealth countries. .
		We continue to the pools .
		And through the park .
		And John leads us .
		Out onto .
		A sunny promontory .
		Shade and sunlight .
		The swan has chosen the sunny spot .
		To find his food .
		Soon be Christmas - plenty of mistletoe at the moment .
		We head off across a field of winter wheat .
		At the other side we have a break and a nice surprise - John hands out pieces of his own home-made cake .
		Then it's off past Whitminster church .
		We see how the River Frome goes under the canal .
		Near Saul Junction .
		The remains of the old canal to the Severn - no plans for restoration of this section .
		Hello, hello .
		Hiding behind each tree and their mother is a feeding calf - they are pleased to see the backs of us .
		The sky gets darker .
		And for once the forecast is correct - rain after 12 noon .
We are prepared and continue .
Back over the Gloucester Sharpness canal (note the rainbow) .
To the Bell, where some of us discover .
The Gloucester Old Spot Pigs looking nice and cosy .
Photos and captions from Mike

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 Led 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 Ramblers.