A dreich view

We went to Painswick Beacon for fresh air and exercise this afternoon. It was dull, grey and murky. I was feeling distinctly under par, suffering a bit from yesterday's late night revelry. The weather seemed to be having the same problem with the promised forecast for some sunshine only delivered by this spotlight, shining through the clouds onto this lucky patch of Gloucestershire, a few miles north of Cheltenham. I wish it had shone on us!

We did meet a couple of walkers here at the summit of the Beacon, a site of an old Iron Age hill fort, with large defensive ditches and banks. I volunteered to take their photo using their camera to commemorate their visit. I mentioned Blipfoto to them, so they may have a look see here. If so, hello again!

On a good day, I might have shown you selected views of the River Severn leading out towards the sea near Chepstow, or across the Severn Vale to the Forest of Dean and the Welsh foothills in the distance. Further north and westwards was the snake-like line of the Malvern Hills, whilst here we are looking inland to the Vale of Evesham following the line of the Cotswold escarpment.

As you can see it might be best if I try again on a more propitious occasion, when the sun shines. We will be back.