July 27th Bourton-on-the-Water

On a cloudy but warm day, 11 members walked 5 miles from Bourton on the Water to Lower then Upper Slaughter and back. We first had to cross the main road, then through a gate that took us on a good path till we reached the trees, then had to watch out for lots of tree roots underfoot. Eventually we took a right turn onto the Monarchs Way which after a mile took us through a gate on the right that led us through corn fields and then over a road and straight on to a lane that took us down into Lower Slaughter. We stopped by the river and bridge to hear jingling of bells, we followed the noise and came to quite a few Morris Dancers, which were very good. We watched them for a short while and then retraced our steps back to the bridge and taking a right passed the Old Mill with its Water Wheel. We then took a left down a long path that eventually led all the way to Upper Slaughter, where we sat by the river with a Ford and ate our lunch. Leaving the river to follow the road round and up hill to a gate, which we went through to take us back on the same path to Lower Slaughter. Once in Lower Slaughter we carried on round, following the river till we could take a right path that does lead back to Bourton-on-the-Water, but we soon took another right track, (passing plenty of plum trees, everyone enjoyed tasting a few,) there were good views from here. It led us up to a road, we walked down the road a short way and into a field, crossing that field led us back to the main road which we crossed into another field with a school on the left and soon going right up over the old railway line and down a very steep path looking at some very pretty back gardens, through a narrow fenced path and back into Bourton itself, where we turned left to get back to the British Legion car park and our cars.

Everyone thanked me very much for the walk and said how much they had enjoyed it.

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