Saturday 2 April 2016

02/04/16 - Glasshouse and May Hill

Distance - 5.75 Miles
Geocaches - 6
Walk Inspiration

Is there anything more depressing than waking on a Saturday and hearing the rain bouncing off the conservatory roof?

I was thinking of walking the Ellesmere Lakes today - but the weather forecast showed little improvement to the North.

Its better down South.

Instead of an early start, its a lie in, the papers and full English and a peruse of Walking World to download a walk that I have had my eye on for some time.  The later start is appreciated but does have a detrimental effect on post walk sustenance.

I've never been to Newent.  I still haven't, although I can say that I have knocked off the woods.

Park up at Glasshouse.  There is a decent little car park.  Next to an interesting looking pub.

We are out down an lane, across a field and into the woods.  Think of a cross between Jurassic Park and the Somme.

Newent Woods
Newent Woods - The Land that Time Forgot
Mudfest
When a Path is a Mudbath

Things improve slightly as we make our way uphill to Cliffords Mesne.  Some debate on to just how unfortunate that name is.

Pool
Cliffords Mesne Pool

The clouds disappear and the sun comes out.  I have the map and I can see a bonus "Big Blue Cup of Joy".  My walking partner suggested a quick half in the beer garden.

Operation Yew Tree
Operation Yew Tree
Small Glass or Massive Hand
Small Cup or Big Hand?

Fortified with Butty Bach and Stowford Press we make the climb up Mays Hill.  Sonia's fit bit goes off to tell her that she has completed the requisite number of steps today.  We could give up at the point - however, the geocaches haven't started nor the views enjoyed.

But first, we need to tell the horse the password to get through the gate onto the Hill.

Horse Blocks Path
Give us a carrot and you can use the gate
Despite my best attempts at horse whispering, he's not having it.  Instead, its up and over the fence for us.

May Hill
May Hill - Trees planted for Her Maj
Views to Brecon
Views over Brecon Beacons
Views to the Severn
Views over the Horseshoe Bend of the Severn

Three caches to find - two real, one very hard and one an Earth Cache that is going to need a bit of Google research.  Once these and the views have been soaked in, we drop off the hill along the Gloucester Way.

Coming off May Hill
Downhill all the Way
And Onto the Gloucester Way
This year, I am loving the Gloucestershire Way

Once down off the hill its back into the Mud of Glasshouse Hill and Castle Hill Woods.  A few more caches to round off a nice day's walking in a new area.

Back in Glasshouse and Sonia spots one of the many signs outside the Pub.  Amidst the "Don't Bring Children in Here" signs is a convoluted instruction that last food orders are at 2pm and you must eat up by 3pm.

Its 2:20pm.

Don't worry, I tell my hungry wife.  I am sure that the Mappiman charm can negotiate a couple of quick sandwiches.

Hedge Like House
Glasshouse - Pink Cars and Hedges Like House
Glasshouse
Glasshouse Pub - with one of its many don't do that signs.

I return with a packet of plain crisps.

No food but Spanish Beer
And a fine Spanish Beer.  All is not lost.

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