southcotswoldramblers.org.uk Gloucestershire Way 3 - Plump Hill to Minsterworth Saturday 5 May 2012 Links - Plans - Walk 2 - Walk 4

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	A layby on the Chepstow Road at Minsterworth as we prepare to share cars to
	Plump Hill where Mike gets our walk underway
	Heading downhill
	Into the valley
	To the church in Abenhall
	With its commemorative stone showing the arms of the Freeminers
	Which we examine carefully
	We then head uphill
	Reaching the top
	Where we find a pond
	We start to head downhill with May Hill in the distance
	A slippery path brings us to a farmyard
	Where we see some new arrivals
	Two of which come closer to say hello
	We continue down into the valley
	Through another farm
	This time with some different youngsters
	The nursery pen
	We cross the main Huntley - Monmouth Road
	Along the side of the hill
	Plenty of wild flowers
	As we press resolutely on
	Climbing into a field
	And pausing on the edge of Longhope
	A narrow lane starts us on our climb of May Hill
	More sheep watch us on our way
	As we climb, we look back across the Forest of Dean
	Pausing half way up
	Richard and Flo from across the pond have joined us for the day - not quite the same as walking in the USA
	We reach the top of the hill and look across to the Brecons with Blorenge, Skirrid, Sugar Loaf and the Black Mountains visible
	And looking North we can see Hay Bluff
A group photo in honour of our American visitors - I can also spot an Australian there
We also have views across the Severn
As we drop down from May Hill we pass a derelict chimney - once a steam-powered sawmill
And a duck pond
John stifles a yawn
As we enter some bluebell woods
Time for photos
A really good show this year
Huntley churchyard
With its 1500 year old yew tree
We study the gravestones
Then make for the next door garden centre
For tea and cakes
Suzanne has found somewhere different to sit
The rest of us tuck in
This is the life!
We've still got 4 or 5 miles to do
Poles are awaiting!
So we are soon off again
Across fields
A very tame lamb
A track brings us to Birdwood
Somebody spent some money at the garden centre - lucky Di!
More fields
Bring us to a railway line
And then the final lap back to the cars
Photos and captions by Richard with a few from Mike, processed by Sally, uploaded by Mike

As you can see, we thoroughly enjoy getting to know the South Cotswolds, as well as a few walks further afield. 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.