29/05/23 - January Man - May at May Hill

 

Walking the chapters of Christopher Somerville's The January Man - Month by Month

May sees Christopher setting his alarm very early.  Every May 1st, Morris Men celebrate the battle between Winter and Summer by dancing on the top of May Hill, Gloucestershire.  He timed his walk to tie in with the festivities.

We had our own May Day encounter with Morris Men. On another day, Upton Folk Festival could have been a hoot - the whole town awash with eccentrics, bursting into spontaneous jigging. We had looked for somewhere quiet to take our Guide Dog in Training, Ivy. Men with painted faces and women with feathers poking out their hats terrified her.

May Hill straddles the border of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. I've walked it before - remembering woodland, mud and fine views over the meandering Severn Estuary and the Black Mountains.

Early disappoint provides an excuse for a post walk visit to Newent.

A couple of days early - alternative refreshments required

The walk is a straightforward, circular route on forest tracks. An Adventure Lab Cache completed on the ascent and traditional caching on the descent.

Tree Clump at the Top

Views of the Severn Estuary

Trees planted for the Silver Jubilee

Newent was a pleasant, historical place to mooch around - the chipper is housed in a building with the date 1465 etched into the brickworks. Two quick ALCs and then the pub. But which one?  Newent locals don't seem to use their pubs. The Wye Inn looked impressive but was bolted closed. Cobblers, the Good Beer Guide Micro Pub doesn't open till 5pm, even on bank holidays. The Black Dog and an impressive coaching house, The George - couldn't have had more than 3 punters in each.

Lose them or lose them, Newent.

George Hotel - just add punters

Walk Details

Previous Walks - January, February, March, April

Distance - 3 Miles

Geocaches - 9 and three Adventure Lab Caches

Walk Inspiration - Pub Walks for Motorists, Bristol & Bath, Somerset and Gloucestershire - Walk 36