Belas Knap Long Barrow (View Walk)

Today in a long time we went somewhere new what a relief I needed something different. I went with the parents and a friend of mine and of course the dogs. There's a fair bit of history to this long barrow which you can read on the English Heritage Site. 

I wasn't sure what to expect I didn't do any prior research just went for it. It looked interesting from the photos on the site. When we got there we parked on the side of the road got ourselves ready and crossed to go up a muddy track it was raining at the time but lucky the track want to bad we headed up hill and reached a wide open field of grass

we followed the footpath sign leading to the left got to the edge of the field and turned right at this point we realised we could have gone straight up oh well the long route it is heading uphill the rain got worse and the wind got stronger but I turned around and saw the view over Winchcombe it was beautiful the rolling Cotswold holds the villages nestled in them worth the rain and wind. Carrying on up we reached the top walked along another grass field still starring at the view heading towards a wooded area the footpath stayed next to a steep hill through the forest. While walking through the forest my dad slipped on a branch he's okay no injuries. We reached the long barrow walked round it had a look inside one of the little rooms mainly just to get of the weather. We carried on round and decided to go look for a geocache nearby. A good hunt around later me and my friend found it. The walk back wasn't very eventful enjoyed the views. Driving back home we looked for another geocache (premium only). I'm going to load some experimental photos so please bear with me.

Google Maps: 51.927633, -1.970978

GPS: N 51 55.658 W 1 58.259

OS Grid Reference: SP 020 262

Track: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=zgxdxnkytxhgbrlv

Geocaches: Belas Knap

Cotswold Photo Shoot 2

Andoversford (View & Geocache)

We drove from the Kilkenny Viewpoint and parked outside a shooting school we got ourselves ready and crossed the very busy road. Went through a field and then into a small forest with very tall trees ahead of us we saw a brilliant view through a gap. We went through a gate at the end and found the first geocache (CCCC 44: Dave Bird). We then walked on in the wrong direction so had to turn back and take the correct route down a small path we found the next geocache (CCCC 45: Julian Alsop) after finding that one we carried on walking and got to the next gate and decided to go round the field instead of through it a bit drier as it was raining we saw something funny on a tree and took a closer look and saw someone painted an eye on. We got to another gate and decided to go back and up because we don’t like walking through fields with cows in. We got back up the hill and sat on a bench as it stopped raining and enjoyed the growing view as the sun started to shine. We then walked back to the car. It’s a walk to experience.

Google Maps: 51.861424,-2.030825

GPS: N 51 51.685 W 002 01.850

OS Grid Reference: SO 979 180

Trimble: http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1833550

Geocaches: CCCC 44: Dave Bird (GC3NQDM)

CCCC 45: Julian Alsop (GC3NQEA)

Kilkenny Viewpoint

This is a short post just to say about Kilkenny Viewpoint. It’s a short easy walk with easy parking and a brilliant view of Cheltenham great place to let the dogs off when it’s empty there’s a few picnic benches around so take a packet of crisps and a drink to enjoy the view. The pictures do no justice for the live view.

Google Maps: 51.865833, -1.995883

GPS: N 51 51.950 W 001 59.753

OS Grid Reference: SP 003 185