southcotswoldramblers.org.uk Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons Saturday 12 December 2009

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		Tim leads us across the common from Minchinhampton reservoir .
		Wrapped up against the biting breeze .
		And we head down ..
		Through Amberley .
		Via narrow paths .
		And the edge of the common .
		Into Manor Woods .
		A few leaves still hanging on .
		Tim points out the very large badger sett we are standing on .
		We continue through the beech woods .
		And eventually stop with a view over North Woodchester .
		For our coffee stop .
		Refreshed, we continue over Rodborough Common .
		Always wonder how are these ridges are formed? Cattle? Slippage, Answers on a postcard .... .
		We are a week too early to see the "dog tree" fully decorated, although you might spot a couple of baubles ..
		This is what it looked like in 2005 .
		Where the regular dogs each year at Christmas leave cards for each other and gifts to charity - this year the collection is for ex greyhound and lurcher dogs. .
		A bit further on we look down to Rooksmoor .
		Tim reminisces how he as a lad used to sledge down here before the school playing field was fenced off .
		And watched the fir trees ablaze .
		More recent activities by Tim as a National Trust volunteer have been to erect the Rodborough Rollright stones (to keep cars off the grass) .
		And construct these steps up from the car park - what a good job they have made of them 10/10 .
		We head back past the Baden Powell plantation .
		And a few of us cannot resist the local delicacy .
		Tim tells us about the Golden Valley, including the coming of the canal and the railway and the canal's promised renaissance .
		The suns shines brightly .
		For our return to the cars .
Photos and captions from Deputy Dog 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.