Snow on the Wold 22-24 March 2013

FRIDAY

Another early morning start and what a good job it was or we probably wouldn't have got away. Snow fell overnight and was still falling as we made our separate ways to meet the coach. I had a walk down to Bingley but had prepared the night before by packing my luggage into two rucksacks. So I had to leave behind the ginger cake I had made for the hostellers to share....sorry folks!

Waiting for the coach in Bingley

Only one person couldn't make it because of the weather so it was an almost full bus that set off for Stow-on-the-Wold a few minutes later than planned. As we travelled further south the snow thinned out and by the time we reached the Nottingham area there was no sign of snow at all and we even had a brief glimpse of the sun.

Chipping Camden

We arrived at Chipping Camden at 2.00 pm and the walkers were dropped off here to walk to Moreton-in-the-Marsh while some continued into Stow to look around the shops and tea rooms. It was only a seven mile walk and we had four hours in which to do it but it was quite tiring as they have a different class of mud down here and we slipped and slithered our way through the fields and tracks arriving with 15 minutes to spare.

 Just before the end there was a deep puddle that came in very handy for boot washing!
The YHA in Stow is right in the middle of the market square which makes a pleasant change as we usually have to walk down a dark lane to get there. It didn't take long to settle in and it felt very friendly as we were the only people in residence. The staff struggled a little to get the food out on time but there were many willing hands to help. I took the easy option and visited the local fish and chip shop called Greedy's. Some of the group were staying in B&Bs but popped in to say hello and arrange visits to the pub.
Back home the snow was still falling and drifting in the strong winds and it began to snow a little in Stow.

SATURDAY

We awoke to a covering of snow, a couple of inches but nothing too serious.

Sheila's photos

 It snowed most of the morning but not too heavy. The walks were adjusted slightly to make more use of hard surfaces and I opted for the stroll round the villages taking in the beautiful views and the Japanese tourists, just like being in Haworth!

First stop Bourton-on-the-Water by coach where we had an hour and a half to look around and take a few photos.

 Then Jean and I opted for a coffee in The Manse in comfort watching the snow drift past the windows.

We then walked to Lower Slaughter and visited the mill where some people had their lunch while others sat outside in the snow for their's. 

Then on across the muddy fields to Upper Slaughter 

before returning to Bourton-on-the-Water where a few of us caught the service bus back to Stow. We had a look around the flea market in the Town Hall and bought some delicious coffee and walnut cake which went very nicely with our pot of tea in the YHA.

Another busy evening in the hostel with games of scrabble and cards being the evening entertainment. The news from home was that more snow had fallen but the forecast was better for Sunday.

SUNDAY

No more snow in Stow but icy conditions overnight made the going slippery in some places. 

After a discussion about whether or not to return home early a compromise was reached and  Steve was happy to leave two hours earlier than planned so that those with onward travel would make it home safely. Mike Smith volunteered to lead a shorter walk but Ray and Malcolm opted to do their original walks with slight adjustments where necessary. 

I went on the 9 mile walk taking in Adlestrop and Chastleton and some very muddy fields towards the end. Jackie Wilkes had come prepared and gave us a recitation of the Edward Thomas poem 'Adlestrop' and for a few moments there we were transported to a hot summer's day and in our minds we could hear the birdsong and feel the sunshine and smell the wildflowers and the hay.

Adlestrop

Yes, I remember Adlestrop -- 

The name, because one afternoon 

Of heat the express-train drew up there 

Unwontedly. It was late June. 

The steam hissed. Someone cleared his throat. 

No one left and no one came 

On the bare platform. What I saw 

Was Adlestrop -- only the name 

And willows, willow-herb, and grass, 

And meadowsweet, and haycocks dry, 

No whit less still and lonely fair 

Than the high cloudlets in the sky. 

And for that minute a blackbird sang 

Close by, and round him, mistier, 

Farther and farther, all the birds 

Of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.

Edward Thomas

Poetry reading

Adlestrop Church

Back to reality!

Our next stop was for lunch at St Mary's church Chastleton next door to the National Trust property Chastleton House.


'A rare gem of a Jacobean country house, Chastleton House was built between 1607 and 1612 by a prosperous wool merchant as an impressive statement of wealth and power.
Owned by the same increasingly impoverished family until 1991, the house remained essentially unchanged for nearly 400 years as the interiors and contents gradually succumbed to the ravages of time.'


This is actually in Oxfordshire so somewhere we had strayed over the border from Gloucestershire.

After lunch we traipsed across a number of extremely muddy waterlogged fields before reaching our destination of Moreton-in-the-Mud with just enough time to spare to clean our boots before boarding the coach for the journey home, although I think at least one person managed to visit the pub first!

And so ends another brilliant weekend away with CHA. Many thanks to all the organisers and walks leaders who had to make a few last minute tweaks to their plans. Also thanks to Steve for getting us there and back safely and managing to keep a smile on his face despite the muddy boots! Can't wait for the next one. See you all in Berwick upon Tweed in May. With any luck the snow will have gone by then.