Clear blue skies greeted our band of 16 on a crisp autumn day with little breeze. We tramped through the undergrowth to find an abandoned arboretum where Derek M guided us around a selection of conifers from different corners of the world and identifed numerous fungi including the rarest fungus in the UK.

Following firm dry paths we circumvented a swamp to cross Lower Hyde Heath reaching the charming octagonal victorian gatehouses of Hyde House. Crossing Stroud Bridge we ambled uphill to the ancient hillfort of Woolsbarrow.

Picnicing on the summit we enjoyed commanding views in all directions. Circumventing and descending the hillfort we crossed varied conifer forest back to our startpoint and retreated to the local Silent Woman Inn for a quiet pint.