Pub Walk (19) Saturday 10^th April 2010, from the Mousetrap, Bourton on the Water.

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

At 1030 hrs on Saturday 10^th April Eleven North Cotswold and Glos members turned up in sunny weather outside the Mousetrap Inn in Bourton on the Water (Photos 1 & 8). The stickers in the window of the Mousetrap confirmed GBG 2009 and 2010 membership plus Locale promising much for our anticipated Lunch booked for 12-30 pm.

We headed North along the lane at the side of the Trap then turned right at the first path running towards and past the junior school where our Treasurer Dawn works then left past the Cotswold Secondary School. Right at the end then followed the main Road for a few hundred yards before crossing over into Cemetery Lane then immediately left into Greystones. This route was designed to miss the bulk of tourists already stepping from several coaches. This lane headed East towards open country after passing through Greystones farm yard stopping to photograph a new born calf enjoying the Spring sunshine. (Photo 2)

Across a field, a few stiles then along some decking we emerged at a lake following the path anticlockwise around the lake and then the same around a second lake. The first one stocked with Rainbow Trout for a local syndicate and the second stocked with prize Carp with a huge double figure specimen spotted a yard from the bank cruising the shallows adjacent to our path. Fishermen opposite oblivious to its presence though ever hopeful.

Following the path across a field we crossed a bridge over the River Dikler and skirted Rissington Mill, a delightful spot before taking another path across two fields up the hill and stopping to rest and admire the view (Photo 3). The view back towards Bourton was reward for this climb before emerging at Little Rissington Church.(Photo 4)

After visiting the Church and military war graves of Airman serving at RAF Upper Rissington we headed South crossing the main road past an old fountain which proved attempting resting place (Photo 5) A path on the right took us down hill across two fields after passing a fine walled garden on our right. The views ahead including another 20 acre lake were tremendous with some spring colour appearing on the trees.

At the foot of the hill we crossed Great Rissington Road and after a further two fields emerged at the River Dikler on the Eastern extremity of Bourton. We turned right onto another path skirting the famous Carp Lakes camping site (Photo 6) then into Cemetery lane and back to Pulhams Coach Park and footpath opposite leading back to the rear of the Mousetrap for a well earned pint.

Three more non walking members joined us for an excellent Lunch (Photo 7) washed down with a choice of Stroud Tom Long or Life and St Austell Proper Job. Most opted for the Life which is yet another great creation from Stroud Brewery.

We have a rest from organised walks now until October to give time for our festival season, The first in May at GWR

Many Thanks to Carol Price for organising a superb walk around the lesser known parts of Bourton in the Water and sharing some of the quieter walks experienced regularly by her local walking Group.

Report by Roger Price

Tel 01451 810305

Mob 07850 429630

Pictures taken on the walk:


^ Photo 1 (River Windrush opposite the Mousetrap) ^	^ Photo 2 ^

^ Photo 3 ^	^ Photo 4 ^

^ Photo 5 ^	^ Photo 6 ^

^ Photo 7 ^ Lunch!		^ Photo 8 ^ Posing Outside