Along the Footpath

Well, it's definitely Autumn in the Cotswolds. We've been blessed with an unusually long summer here, according to all the locals, and for that we are most thankful! It's turned cold and nasty this week, so the outdoors is not beckoning as it was only a week ago. That is not a complaint, however, because we've had lots of sunny days and warm temperatures to explore and enjoy the area.

One of my favorite things to do here is to walk through the tiny villages and along the public footpaths. In the states we might refer to them as walking or hiking trails. There are maps that show visitors all the public foot paths in the area and they will take you through fields and woods and down country lanes.

One afternoon a couple of weeks ago we didn't have anything special planned so we took off for a walk on the Chastleton way. I have already mentioned St Marys Church which sits next door to the Chastleton house (previous post) and the lovely dovecote just across the narrow black top that's surrounded by a pasture full of sheep. The path actually cuts right through they pasture. The sheep are gentle and generally ignore you (if you get too close, they may run) and the only thing you have to worry about is watching your step!

This walk took us through a pasture and a beautiful wood, past some farm houses and along a back country road. As usual, I took my camera and tagged along behind, stopping to record the scenery.

walkers welcome here

pass the beautiful Chastleton house

through a field of grazing sheep

lots of grazing sheep!

charming ancient dovecote

welcome to St Marys

cross atop St Marys overlooks graveyard and ancient dovecote

the beautiful Cotswold countryside

signs of Autumn all around

a view over the freshly trimmed hedgerow

colorful berries adorn roadside vegetation

freshly mowed hay field

reminiscent of hay hauling days

stacked bales ready for winter

 a walk through the woods

a "medusa" tree?

leaves cover the path

outside the woods, footpath leads across an open field

....and down a narrow black road

with me lagging way behind...

the sheep don't seem to notice us

picturesque, serene, this is the Cotswolds

we pass a few homes, some with thatched roofs

and always, there are flowers

a magnificent sky and a perfect view for the ride back