Welford on Avon, 12th Nov 2017.

At the end of the last report on a South Mids walk their excellent group coordinator Mark Parker denied that he was dictatorial, as the pantomime season approaches I have to say “oh yes he is”. But to be honest he only wants the best for his group.  So I was told to do a walk near Stratford upon Avon. The first two routes I reccied were rejected by Mark. 1. Bidford. Being too near the Avon that might flood. 2. Hampton Lucy. Not having a pub stop/toilets at lunch time.  At which point a new criteria of avoiding war memorials at 11.00 was added.  So at 11.00 am on Sunday 12th November Mark conducted a minutes silence on the village green in Welford on Avon before we started our walk.  21 GOC’ers and a dog set off in glorious sunshine for our walk, observing the very expensive thatched houses in the village before walking past some beautiful thatched cottages in the adjoining hamlet of Weston on Avon.  We then walked along the the banks of the Avon, yes a river that might flood!   We reached our lunch stop without incident where there were toilets, many pubs, shops, numerous places of worship, a chip shop and a world renowned theatre, yes it was Stratford upon Avon. I think it ticked all of Marks boxes.  Wandering back along the opposite bank of the Avon we did encounter a little mud and therefore a few moans before joining the former Honeybourne railway line and a bridleway back to our start point.  Don’t tell Mark but it’s a good job I always know my routes by heart as at one point I was asked what a village on the horizon was called, it was then that I realised that I’d left the map at home!!!  Don’t tell Mark.  Back in Welford Mark thanked everyone for attending, not sure why he was standing under the tree pictured, maybe the mistletoe is a clue!
 

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