Saturday 31 May 2014

31/05/15 - Guiting Power Rangers

Distance - 6 Miles
Walks From - Town and Country Walks in the Cotswolds
Geocaches - 10

Guiting Power at EveryTrail

The only downside to this walk is that we had to drive on through Winchcombe, my favourite place to walk, without stopping.  We have already walked from there this year.

Guiting Power sits around 5 miles out the other side.  I have programmed the Sat Nav on the new Geowagon incorrectly, so we decide to park in the centre of the village.  Nice big car park at the village hall and the added bonus of the walk ending at a location with two pubs to choose from.

Quick look around the picture perfect village before heading out on the Warden's Way.

Guiting Centre
Memorial in Village Centre
Most of this walk is alongside water.  Molly has always loved a water bourne frolic but in her old age, she seems to just jump in because it is expected of her.  You can tell her heart is not really in it anymore.

The Steam
Done out of Habit
There are a series of caches along this path.  The first one, as usual, is the hardest hunt of the day but our persistence pays off.  Next couple of easily found and the 3rd has the added bonus of a TB to move on.  I am walking tomorrow, so will take it to Buckinghamshire.

On plotting the route, I noticed that a lot of the walk was along roads.  There was nothing to fear - to call them tracks would be bigging them up.  They even have "Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles" signs on them.  Makes for good walking.

Path of the Day
Our Path - Winding into the Ominous Clouds
The paths deliver to Kineton.  They have a pub.  Sonia hopes they have a cake shop.  Her mantra has become to "take advantage of all facilities" on our walks.  A fine ideology.  However, there are three caches on the paths that circle the village, so we head off for those.  As well as the caches, there are two fine old fords for the dog to pretend to enjoy.

Fords at Kineton
Clapper Bridges - Better than Cake
Head back, past Castlett Farm and towards Barton.  It's getting close to lunch time and all thoughts are on what to have.

Lunch Ahoy
Lunch - 1 Mile in the direction the Dog is looking towards
We are soon back in the village.  We decide on the Farmer's Arms.  It is part of the Donnington Brewery and this is a fine Cotwoldian brewer of ales.  It also has a lovely beer garden.

Choice of Two
What's for Lunch?
An extensive menu - but all written on the blackboard inside.  As Sonia lounges in the sunshine, I have to remember everything on it to see what she wants.  I successfully manage this and place the order.

On choosing my pint, I am convinced to try the celebration ale.  Two weeks ago, the Son of the Donnigton Brewery owner was married and they produced a one off special in his honour.  This was my only chance for a pint of....

Life Sentance
.... Life Sentance
Lunch arrives and is duely demolished.  The light bites mean there is room for a pudding and we spotted a fine old Bakers and Cake Shop across the Road.  I am sent in and despite walking around the shop several times, I can see only one type of cake - a cake stand of small Bakewell Tarts.  I take them out to the memorial bench, felling like I have visited the shop in Royston Vasey.

Disappointing Cake Shop
Who would have thought the Traditional Cake of the Cotswolds is a Bakewell Tart?
Back at the Car Park and I want to investigate the 12th Century church for two reasons.  Reason 1 - The windows were sold to the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York in 1809 for the princely sum of £5.  Reason 2 - there is a final cache.

Guiting Church
I will go and see the originals next month

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