A bright day saw a group of 21 members enjoy a 6½ mile walk starting in Bourton-on-the-Water, passing through Little Rissington and Clapton-on-the-Hill.

The walk began at the Royal British Legion car park, not far from the parish church, and followed Cemetery Lane, then passed through some lakes full of bird life before entering farmland.

We climbed up to the pretty village of Little Rissington, where we took a coffee break in the parish church. The church has a stained glass image of a Red Arrow plane, and inside the church are panels describing the all too short lives of the many British and Commonwealth pilots from the nearby airbase who lost their lives in World War 2. The churchyard contains the beautifully maintained graves of these servicemen.

We walked through Little Rissington and then descended through several fields before crossing a lane and continuing the walk close to the River Dickler. After a while, we began the long climb up to another attractive village, Clapton-on-the-Hill, where we had our lunch stop in the churchyard of the tiny parish which dates from c. 1200. There were spectacular views across open countryside from the churchyard.

We then began the long and pleasant descent into Bourton-on-the- Water. After walking through the village along the riverside, we returned to the starting point of the walk; some of us stayed a while for tea and cakes to finish the walk.

War graves of airman at Little Rissington

The church at Little Rissington.

Crossing the River Windrush

Starting the climb up to Clapton on the Hill

On our way back to Bourton on the Water