Sunday 24 November 2013

Half of a walk

The weather was fantastic yesterday, so after a morning of football and an early lunch we headed to the Cotswolds for a little walk.  We parked at Uley, a lovely village not far from Dursley.


We parked near the church, and headed straight up the hill behind it.  The littlest boy insisted on carrying the rucksack with five drinks and a box of cookies in it - it must have been a quarter of his body weight and he fell over backwards when he first put it on, but he marched off leading the expedition, all full of importance and purpose.  It was quite a steep climb and the views looking back at Uley were lovely.



Up through a little wooded area you come out at the top of the world.  In fact it's an Iron Age fort called Uley Bury, and it was occupied from about 300BC to 100AD.  There are several along the Cotswold escarpment, built to take advantage of the natural dominance of the high land.




The area contained within the fort on the top of this flat-topped hill was about 32 acres.  We walked around the edge and then curved back round towards Uley.





As we turned around the top of the hill a view towards the River Severn opened up.  You can just make it out beyond the fields.


By the time we got to the point of turning out to do the second loop of the walk the sun was already low in the sky.  Walking at the pace of the slowest person means we don't get round very fast.  But we like it that way.  It did mean that we weren't sure we could finish the walk before sunset, which is at about 4.10pm at the moment.  So we abandoned the plan to go to Owlpen and headed back to Uley.  I'm sure we'll go back and visit Owlpen again one day.  I've been before and it's very beautiful.  There's a wonderful Grade I listed manor house there which has what may be the earliest surviving complete garden in England.  There's a picture and some writing about it here if you want a peek.

Back at Uley we had a little wander through the village.  This was the lovely village green.  Apparently there used to be fourteen pubs in Uley!  Now there's just one.


There are one or two grand houses.  I loved this one in the wonderfully named Fiery Lane.




There are plenty of cottages too.  This one had old petrol pumps flanking the steps.


Lots of lovely clipped evergreen as well.  I do love the structure they give to gardens.  Another reason to visit Owlpen Manor, which has many clipped yew trees.


I loved the church, and I was intrigued by the striking weather vane on top.  Such a smooth almost naive shape.



Once the sun was well and truly setting and smoke from chimneys was drifting down the valley it was time to go home.


The littlest chap had blisters by then and had to take his socks off in the car.  Welly boots really aren't the best for walking in, especially when you have a really heavy rucksack.  If only their little feet weren't constantly growing they could have walking boots.  But it does seem like an extravagance when they'll need a new size come spring.   I'm thinking I'll just put more socks on him next time.  And start out a bit earlier.

Hoping a good week is had by all.

37 comments:

  1. What lovely photos especially liked the last but one pic. Glad you enjoyed your walk and hope it won't be too long before you can go and do the part you missed out and then show us the photos!

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    1. Yes, I'd love to go and do the second bit.

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  2. That looks like a lovely walk and I do like that last pic with autumn colours and cosy cottages. Heavy rucksack? Blisters? Poor little mite!! ;)

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    1. I know, I feel like such a meany. But he did have fun I think.

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  3. This looks like such a beautiful place to visit. I love the little houses in the village, especially that last beige one. Thank you for taking us along on your trip. I hope your little guy's feet are doing better by now; I totally agree with your assessment of boots. Mine have never had any! I can't justify the expense with how little rain or snow we typically get here.

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    1. I really liked that cottage as well. I'd love to live somewhere like that.

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  4. That looks like a lovely walk, and what a gorgeous day, it's been dull and grey here in Suffolk. Hope your little boy's feet are feeling better Julie x

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  5. Being in charge of the food and drink is an important job, I can see why your littlest one might want it. Shame about the blisters though. Lovely views as always.

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    1. You're right, he knows where the power lies. Thank you for your nice comment.

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  6. What a lovely walk and gorgeous views! I'm now really craving a countryside walk of my own Emma x

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    1. Thanks Emma. I don't think you're too far away from these places now!

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  7. Lovely views. It is a pity about the boots - maybe they should offer some sort of part exchange system for when feet grow too big so you could upgrade to a used pair.

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    1. Thanks Sue. That would be a good idea. I might have a look on Ebay.

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  8. What a gorgeous walk, you certainly had the weather for it, it looks beautiful. Well done to the littlest boy for persevering with that heavy rucksack, I hope his blisters don't take long to disappear.

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    1. He did try hard. The first time he put it on it was so heavy he fell backwards and sat down on his bottom! The blisters don't seem to have troubled him much since, thankfully.

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  9. I really enjoyed this post with it's wonderful photos. I hope that littlest boy got some extra cookies for his efforts, and I also sympathise about him getting blisters.
    I'm glad to see that you go at the pace of the slowest person which is how it should be but all too often isn't. There's always another day to see what you didn't see this time. Flighty xx

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    1. Thanks Flighty. You are right about the slow pace. It's no fun to push things along too fast.

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  10. I can't get over how beautiful these pictures are! I love the views from the top of the hill overlooking the town. Just magical. I hope the blisters heal soon so that you can all have another fun adventure:)

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    1. Thank you Kari. Blisters almost better now. As soon as there's another beautiful weekend day like this I shall request another country walk!

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  11. What a lovely walk. You took some wonderful photos of those views - they are fabulous. I love the sound of the Iron Age fort, that would fascinate me.
    .

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    1. Thank you Wendy. The fort was really interesting. It's mostly intact and unexcavated, except for a little area. They've found gold and the oldest coins. No doubt there are all sorts of things still there, it's quite amazing.

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  12. What a fabulous walk and great pictures. Hard to believe it's almost December from some of those views.

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    1. You're right, still lots of leaves and autumn colour and green fields.

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  13. Oh isn't he a brave little one, I bet he was tired after the long walk carrying all that weight. Thank you for sharing your beautiful day,
    Meredith

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    1. He was, we do like to tire him out though!

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  14. All those trees and hills and views *big sigh*...

    Nina x

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  15. What a beautiful walk , lovely views and photographs. I love the one of everyone standing against the sky!
    Sarah x

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    1. Thank you Sarah, I liked that one too.

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  16. Your photos are gorgeous, just gorgeous. Cold, sunny weather is my favourite kind and I love country walks when it's like this. It rained here on Sunday which is a shame as we'd planned a walk too. I love the Cotswolds, you live in such a beautiful part of England. x

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    1. Thank you Gillian. I love winter walks too, they are so invigorating. I hope you get a dry day for a walk soon.

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  17. Your pictures are beautiful looks like a lovely place for a walk :)

    Sorry to hear about the blisters you are right wellies are not the best for walking long distances extra socks may work although he might still get them and hot feet. We have always bought walking boots for the children either second hand from friends or charity shops or in the sales they are worn by both children and then we usually sell them on so they are worth the investment!

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    1. That's a great tip, I think I will definitely have a look for some. Thanks for the suggestion.

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  18. Firery Lane, I like that too :). What a nice place for a walk. Too bad about the blisters, but the views make them seem worth it!

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  19. Ouch to the blisters and oh! to the stunning countryside you decided to spend your day in.
    Love all the photos of the buildings in the village and Fiery Lane is such a great name.
    Lisa x

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