On 15 September 2019, 22 ramblers enjoyed a six and a half mile walk in the Cotswold Water Park, the UK's largest marlstone lake system at 40 square miles.

 Beginning at The Waterpark Gateway Visitors Centre, the group started the walk by following the Lake 6 Circular Path and headed for Churn Pool. There then followed a stretch of road walking which took the ramblers into the village of Cerney Wick.

 The walkers continued the ramble by following the footpath around Spinnaker Lake (used by the Cotswold Sailing Club).  They then travelled along the former track bed of The Midland and South Western Junction Railway into South Cerney. This railway line closed in 1961, just before the infamous Dr Beeching cutbacks and provided an important transport link between Andoversford and Andover during the Second World War.

 A gentle stroll along Station Road, Bow Wow and School Lane followed before the walkers left South Cerney and proceeded along an open countryside ridge to Kensmyth Alpaca Stud, recently opened in 2012. We thought that the alpacas had all gone to sleep indoors, but luckily we found a number of the South American camelids grazing in two fields nearby.

 Finally, the group made their way back to the Waterpark Gateway Visitors Centre alongside the Thames & Severn Canal towpath. Although this stretch of the canal is currently disused, it forms part of the Thames & Severn Way, a 45 mile trail that links Framilode, on the upper Severn Estuary, with Lechlade on Thames.

Don't think these cars in the cark park belong to Cirencester Ramblers!

We reach Bow Wow in South Cerney

Along Bow Wow to  the village of South Cerney

Lunch stop on the ridge on the way to the canal

Passing the Alpaca Stud Farm

Renovated lock keepers cottage on the canal, complete with solar panels