After a very wet start to the day, the weather mercifully cleared to sunny periods and showers with a fresh breeze for our walk from Hazleton on Sunday 31st October, 2021. A total of 17 Members joined the walk, which started at the abandoned Lower Barn Farm, where there was plentiful if unofficial parking.
We walked up a gradual incline for about ½ mile along a lane on the Diamond Way to the village of Hazleton, passing the parish church of St. Andrew’s. The walk continued with a further gradual to the edge of the village before crossing open countryside along the edges of fields.
We then briefly joined a country lane before diverting across the edge of the pretty Salperton Park, reaching All Saints Church Salperton which has a fascinating fresco of a dancing skeleton (very appropriate for Halloween!), and a pretty stained glass window with vivid colours above the altar.
We rejoined the lane and headed east for about a miles, enjoying panoramic views of unspoilt Cotswold countryside. Just before leaving the lane, we found a sheltered spot to have our lunch stop.
After lunch, we left the lane and crossed a number of high level fields affording further extensive views before gradually descending and joining a track from an isolated barn which ran along the floor of a very attractive downland valley.
We then turned right to rejoin the Diamond Way back to the start of the walk.
A view of Hazelton near the start
We begin to see the colours of Autumn
After a brief visit to Salperton church
One of three rainbows caused by passing showers
We descend into a lovely valley
O-deer! O-deer! O-deer!