First time walker Nick joined Doc leaf Liz, Dave and I for a mysterious walk from Winchcombe in search of Oliver Cromwell's Clump.
This is a little known monument near Hailes, in-fact people I know, who have lived in Winchcombe for years have not heard of this monument.
We set off at 10:30 am on what was the best day of the year so far with brilliant sunshine and a slight chill in the wind.
We tip toed through the mud along the Cotswold Way on the way to Hailes and It's famous Abbey which was first founded in 1245.
I took a photo of the new abbey but not of the old one.
After passing Hailes fruit farm and a few people on horse back we started the long climb up through the wood to the lavish green rolling hills and magnificent views of the Cotswolds and the Malvern hills.
Sadly the photos do not do it justice, but as we entered the field and continued to climb Cromwell's clump came into sight. Now if your wondering what the clump was for?
local legend says that Cromwell sat there to view the battle of Hailes. The last 50 meters became very steep and we nearly had to use our hands to climb up, but we made it just as the wind was picking up a bit and it was get quite cold.
It was surprisingly busy up there with people just wanting to sit a while and soak up the sumptuous 360 degree views.
But as the wind continued to pick up we left and carried on our walk and munched on some oranges that I gave out,
though our hands felt the brunt of the wind as we tried to peel them, but it was well worth it!
More mud was tackled especially by Liz getting quite bogged down at times. But we all Laughed
Onwards and Sunday lunch was upper most on our minds, but where would we go? Doc leaf expressed an open fire as her criteria, Nick would eat anywhere and Dave would just fall in line I reckon . . . . . .
Gretton and the Royal Oak was chosen, but when we arrive all tables were taken and it was nearly the end off service.
What should we do? Bolt and go somewhere else or gamble on something coming up.
We gambled and won, in-fact scored a table already put by for someone else, hard luck, it was ours and what a treat was in store.
A shoulder of Lamb for 3 and liz had the beef stew, YUm! Plenty of veg came and the meat just fell off the bone along with a very tasty mint gravy, could it get any better? Yep! With pints of 'BB' ale and a pint of 'Cotswold way' all washing down the raspberry and rhubarb pudding.
A perfect end to a perfect day and a meal that Cromwell himself would have been pleased to eat after a battle.
Thanks to the walkers and to Nick making his first of hopefully many appearances.
Take it easy.
Carl.
