Five ramblers set off from the Woolpack Inn on a warm and sunny late summer morning in Slad, heading for the hills and relishing the thought of a pub lunch. The weather was much more conducive to walking than it was back in June, when our attempt at the Laurie Lee Wildlife Way was cut short by extreme heat, so this was unfinished business!

All was quiet in the village, as we left the normally busy B4070 and walked down the lane to Steanbridge. In the field to our left we came across two magnificent horses peacefully munching away on the grass, until they were spooked by our presence and galloped away with their tails in the air. Further on up the lane we spotted the imposing facade of Down Farm Manor, home to Tom George Racing. That's horse racing not motor racing!

It was time to leave the tarmac behind, so we crossed over the Slad Brook and onto softer terrain. Everything looked a good deal greener after recent showers. At the top of the field we clambered over some challengingly high wooden steps into Catswood, emerging soon after onto open fields with views over to Slad. Glad to get our breath back, we sauntered on to Furners Farm and the picturesque hamlet of Elcombe, formerly home to one Florence Tuck aka 'Miss Flynn' who met a watery end in 'Cider with Rosie'. We had returned to the Laurie Lee Wildlife Way!

It wasn't long before we left Knapp Lane behind and climbed into Laurie Lee Wood, formerly known as Trantershill Plantation. Once owned by the author himself but now in the ownership of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, it serves as a nature reserve and sight of special scientific interest. It was quite a steep path through the beech wood but we resisted the little bench strategically placed for weary travellers and marched onwards and upwards. We did have a little rest where it levelled out but there was still another hill to climb, so we regrouped and slowly soldiered on, finally reaching open ground on Swift's Hill, where Belted Galloway cattle grazed contentedly.

Not surprisingly it was a little windy on the exposed common. Nevertheless, we took the opportunity for a group photo. Someone shouted "refreshment break!" so to avoid a mutiny, we came off the hill and sat down to enjoy some sustenance. Suitably refreshed and with dark clouds overhead, we rejoined Knapp Lane and cut through fields to familiar territory at Furners Farm. Tired legs and a growing appetite saw us back at the Woolpack Inn, where we enjoyed toasted sandwiches and well earned coffees in the garden.

The imposing Down Farm Manor

Horses enjoying the late summer sunshine

Taking time out to read “Apples” by Laurie Lee

Group photo on a windy Swift’s Hill