Mallards Pike

Unlike most ponds in the Forest of Dean that were made to supply water wheels that powered the mills and iron forges of the Forests industrial past Mallards was made by the Forestry Commission for community use. The larger, lower pond is used for water sports, the upper pond is left undisturbed for wildlife but both, this weekend, found the ponds completely frozen over.

 But a watery sun and sprinkling of frost made the ramble crisp and pleasant.

Finishing the day with warm tea and warm homemade bread :-p

Frozen Fairford

Another crisp bright winter weekend saw us in Fairford and a walk round part of the wonderful Cotswold Water Park.











Entered via a lane from the town centre the path takes you along a well routed riverside walk along the River Coln.

Further down the path takes a route between two of the many lakes that constitute the Water Park but today the lakes were completely frozen.

Circumnavigating the lake the path leads through a small wooded area back to Fairford. The woodland wildlife included woodpecker, robbins, squirrels and an assortment of small birds.

The day ending in a short drive to Bibury and a welcome bowl of warm winter veg soup at the idilic William Morris Cafe. Bibury was once described by William Morris (1834-96) as "the most beautiful village in England". The cottages of Arlington Row, a row of weavers cottages built of local stone, are often referred to as the most photographed and beautiful cottages in the country.

Sapperton Valley and Siccaridge Wood

The valley and woods consist of a stretch of the derelict Severn and Thames Canal, flood meadows and woodland. The site is managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust under leasing arrangements with the Bathurst Estate since 1986.

disused canal tunnel now the abode of local bats

 

The wood is in the Frome Valley about half a mile west of Sapperton  and is sited next to the Thames and Severn Canal. Historical records have been traced to the mid 16th century at which time it was called Sickeridge Coppice and it belonged to the lord of the manor  The name Siccaridge comes from the old English sicor hyreg which means 'secure, safe ridge'. The Bathhurst Estate acquired the wood in 1861.

After an extensive walk through the woodland, twix the river and the canal, cross the road to a panoramic heathland walk with some interesting artifacts.

 The multitude of lichen is testimont to the clean and relatively unpoluted air.