May 27th North Cerney

Twenty six ramblers and one guest set out on a 7 mile walk from North Cerney, firstly following the River Churn westwards to Perrots Brook. Crossing the A435 we transversed a field to walk up the lane to Bagendon. Here we took a left hand fork to walk through meadowland for our first refreshment stop

Carrying on, we climbed steadily up through woodland to a junction of paths, taking the right path to Merchants Down. From Merchants Down we walked via paths and lane to Morwood House, where the group viewed the National Collection of Climbing Roses.

From here we regained the lane to walk to the new site of the Scrubditch Care Farm charity, where we were entertained with tea, coffee and delicious home made cakes . (The charity is for adults with learning difficulties or dementia to spend time in the countryside, to work with animals and horticulture).

Before we left we met some of the livestock including Tigger, an Oxford Sandy & Black, and her new piglets. On leaving the farm we made our way to North Cerney church, a Norman building, to see two carvings of Manticoras . These are pagan in origin, depicting a lion with a human head. From the church it was a short walk back to the cars.

Making our way to Perrots Brook

Then on to Bagendon

Plenty of cattle and horses grazing in the fields

After coffee, tea and cake at Scrubditch Care Farm

Some of the animals at the Farm

Just two of the attractive views during the walk