southcotswoldramblers.org.uk Cotswold Canals Walk No 6 Park Leaze Barn to Cotswold Outdoor Shop Saturday 3 April 2010 Walk No 5 / Walk No 7

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		Having negotiated with a local resident to park away from their well manicured verges Bernard prepares for departure .
		And we head off along the canal, our route here subject to negotiation as it is privately owned .
		A short road walk ..
		Then we cross into a field .
		Where a sheepdog is practicing on some sheep .
		Bernard stops to impart some of his knowledge of the canal .
		More boring old lambs .
		We follow a hedgerow .
		Then wait while Bernard undoes a rather complicated knot .
		We pick up the canal at Siddington and pause for coffee .
		Looking towards the disused locks .
		We now have some proper canal to walk along .
		With frequent stops for more information from Bernard .
		On our other side is the river Churn .
		But we continue along the canal .
		Past an old willow tree partly fallen down but still growing .
		Bernard consults his guide book .
		As we look at an old lock keeper's cottage .
		The canal now disappears for a while although ther are still some traces .
		And we soon regain it .
		Bernard forging ahead .
		Walls have ears! - and eyes, and a mouth .
		Another lock .
		With another lock keeper's cottage - being renovated perhaps .
		At the new road bridge to South Cerney we finish our eastwards walk of the canal path .
		And head to the nearby cafe for lunch .
		Following which we retrace our steps along the canal path as rain starts to fall .
		Eventually picking up an old railway line- when did Ramblers start to wear Burkhas? .
		We walk through the South Cerney Rural Interpretation Centre .
		The rain easing off .
Coming back out to the canal .
Making use of every puddle to clean our boots .
Retracing our steps along the road .
And a particularly muddy field .
Heads down - not much further .
More boot washing .
Eventually returning to the cars .
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Photos and captions from Richard

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.