NEWS FROM THE COTSWOLDS BRANCH OF THE RARAS!

Find of the walks - 2 snails mating!!

Alan (Capt Provincial) proving that he does know how to walk . . showing off new boots and havng nicked my new plastic map cover

Alex the Eagle before going AWOL

Not to be outdone . . thought you might like a few words from our little jaunt to the Cotswolds to celebrate my lovely sis-in-law's Big Birthday . .

Venue (s): in and around Shipton -under-Whychwood, Oxon - true blue David Cameron country

Walkers: Mrs & Capt Provincial and brother and sis-in-law, Pete & Val

Weather: 3 days ideal - warm and sunny, 1 day dodging the showers

Distance (s) / time taken: Day 1, 2 hrs, Day 2, 5 hours (phew!), day 3, 3 hrs plus a visit to a bird of prey centre, day 4, 3 hrs. Lots of miles!

Find of the walks: 2 snails mating on the branch of a tree. Fascinating, although Val and I thought perhaps it was a bit rude to watch! I'm sure there is a joke in there somewhere . . .

It is stunningly pretty countryside, typical Cotswolds scenery, all rolling hills and mellow stone houses, chocolate box villages - and the most fantastic bird life - much excitment as we saw buzzards, red kites, a nightingale, yellow hammer to name just a few. Biggest excitment of all was when Alex the Eagle decided to go AWOL after his flying demonstration at the bird of prey centre! He took off to the trees a short distance away where he spent the next few hours annoying the local ravens who tried to pick up enough courage to dive bomb him . . one of the keepers was still trying to coax him back when we had to leave! Apparently he does it quite often, the longest he has been out for is 5 days but he eventually gives in when hunger takes over. Bluebells not quite out yet, should be beautiful in a week or so, but that's not much good as we won't be there!

We all ate and drank far too much, so just as well we did so much walking . . . looking to find an excuse to go back next year.

See you very soon!