Finally, on Friday 31st August, we were able to complete Mick & Marie's walk around Naunton; following the extensive flooding in Gloucestershire earlier in the month. We met in the car park of the Black Horse Inn at 9.30 a.m. and, after ordering our lunches, set off towards the Slaughters. The weather was fine; overcast but warm, with a cooling breeze. We enjoyed good conversation on route to Upper Slaughter, a village that is equally splendid as its more famous neighbour, Lower Slaughter.Once in Upper Slaughter we paid our customary visit to a church - the parish church of Saint Peter. It has a slightly unusual approach; the path leading to the south door is cut between two high banks, so that with a little imagination you can feel you are heading into a hobbit hole. The churchyard has many early tombstones and the church contains some attractive stained glass.

At Upper Slaughter, the small group (Mick, Marie, Terry, Richard and Graham) was joined by Carole, who was recovering well from knee surgery.

We were glad of the refreshments, taken in the churchyard. As we began another uphill section of the walk, the sun began to shine and the pace of most slowed down. However, Terry - benefitting from his new gym membership, strode on in the lead!

At the end of the walk, we had lunch at the Black Horse Inn and were fortunate to get our meals before an extended power cut threw the pub into a slight state of disarray - though this did not prevent us all from indulging in their delicious deserts!

Carole, Terry and Marie wait for their lunch

Our thanks go to Mick and Marie for planning and leading the walk, to Graham for the photography and to the staff at the Black Horse Inn, Naunton for both the quality of their food and their hospitality.