With some rather threatening clouds in the sky I wasn't sure where to head for - even as I got to the Severn Bridge. However today I decided to head off to that rather strange bit of country at the forest of Deane and the Gloucestershire on the other side of the Severn. I wanted to see a place called Awre which is on a loop in the Severn - and the tower of the church can be seen from the other side. I passed through several villages including the 18th cent Blakeney and down a long lane which passed over a railway track and came to a group of small houses and a medieval church on it's own with views over to the Severn. The church with its medieval tower was open so had a good look around. Apparently Awre is a crossing to the other side of the river and many families can trace marriages to people in the neighbouring parish across the water. However there are many records of people drowning including a trow in 1760 which killed 20 people. Also a rather macabre story of grave robbers in the late 1780's presumably for medical science who were taken from Awre and tried.
My next stop was at Blakeney with it's toy box gothiK church of 1800. It looked like somebody had got some lego and stuck it all together including a mean little tower. I disturbed the vicaress who was leading a meditation but they were very happy and welcoming for me to look around.
Anyway I headed off for the forest of Deane up the roads into the forest and came to an opening which looked interesing with common land and some very narrow lanes and cottages. I then set off for Littledeane and then Cinderford a curiously industrial little place and then to Mitcheldeane and Abenhall.
Woolaston, Blakeney, Awre, Soudley, Huntley, Cinderford, Little Deane,
