Walk Diary

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December 2007

Notes to above

   *   Linear Walk - Train one-way - Bring fare!
  **  Linear Walk - Bus one-way - Bring fare!
 ***   Carol Service - Walk & Service (pm) - Pub grub!
 ****   Distance increased to 8 miles - bring pack lunch!

Walk Reports

Churchill, Worcestershire
Sunday 16 December

Last Sunday’s walk route, on the fringe of Stourbridge, reads something like the lines of a popular Christmas song. Despite being at no time further than four miles from the hometown, the route encountered three different counties, two long distance paths, one halfshire - plus the course of a Roman Road.

Twenty-three walkers set off from Norton, headed along the Roman Road and then headed west towards Whittington Farm. A pleasant walk through Bunker’s Hill Wood was followed by a stretch of lane walking before the group tackled the only climb of the day - past the isolated Turbine Cottage. The North Worcestershire Path was joined to reach Fairy Glen, which led to more tarmac treading past the Old Waggon & Horses. The route headed down through the village whose church proclaims itself to be in Churchill in Halfshire, the suffix being the name of the ancient Hundred in which it was situated.

After all had safely crossed the Birmingham – Worcester railway line, lunch was eaten beside Harborough Hill. By now the sun tried to brighten a gloomy, but dry and chilly day. After re-crossing the railway – this time by the safer means of a bridge – the walkers passed several pools that were dammed a century ago to power numerous mills. The Monarch’s Way led the group to Brake Lane, from where it was a short distance back to the chariots parked at the junction of the Roman Road.

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Hope Bagot, Shropshire
Sunday 23 December

The Club has held a Christmas walk at Hope Bagot for more almost thirty years. The traditional outing culminates in a Carol Service with most of the walkers packed into the tiny Norman church. Before the start of the walk, the leader and former Club President, Robert Oakes, once again provided the walkers’ equivalent of a stirrup cup with a glass of sherry or port.

Twenty-four members posed for a Christmas card photograph in front of the church and then set off along the right of way opposite. Very soon, we encountered the first of a number of obstacles – a 5’ high wooden gate that was chained and padlocked. Not a good start and definitely a case for investigation by te Rights of Way Officer. This problem delayed the walkers considerably as each person had to clamber over the rickety gate – some found it more difficult than others. The walkers then proceeded on a south-easterly course to the Tenbury road, which was followed briefly, before heading off along a track that led past a deer park. A stretch along icy lanes eventually brought the party to Corley Church where a brief coffee stop occurred.

The weather was perfect – from the high slopes of the Clee Hills, bright sunshine and azure blue skies produced a dramatic contrast with dreamy, misty views over the valleys. See Christmas Photos The Abberley and the Malvern Hills asserted their respective profiles above the fairy-tale scene.

The walkers had to contend with more than a few stiles that are best described as awkward, though a couple were downright treacherous. These hazards further the delayed the walkers’ arrival at the Bennetts End Inn, where turkey sandwiches were scoffed and pints of tasty Six Tuns bitter quaffed. Only a dozen walkers continued with the post-tiffin section of the walk, which returned to Hope Bagot via Whitton.

Finally, it must be noted that the walk was more arduous than members might expect of a ‘C’ graded walk. Perhaps, a ‘B’ grade would have been a more appropriate rating. Some members also believed that the advertised distance of 5½ miles was understated – I can only say in defence of joint leaders - Messrs Oakes and Stokes - that their walk (including the afternoon section) measured a shade over 10km, which equates to 6¼ miles. As leaders are permitted a distance tolerance of 10 percent, it would seem churlish, in this season of goodwill, to carp on about an additional 3 percent.
Bah, humbug!

Merry Christmas, one and all!
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The Sheepwalks, Staffordshire
Sunday 30 December

The last Sunday walk of 2007 centred on Enville and attracted twenty walkers. Despite dry, overcast weather, for much of the walk, conditions underfoot were muddy and wet.

The group set off from The Cat and headed along the road towards Blundies before meeting the first – and some of the worst – mud before they turned along Morfe Lane to join a path that led to Mere Farm and onto Mere Hall. The Staffordshire Way was joined, as it nears the end of its journey from the far north of the county. A treat was in store for the party at Mere Hall, where the owner, a friend of the leader, left for our delectation, a bottle of homemade Damson Vodka.

The fortified walkers proceeded past Lutley Farm and, soon after, quit the long distance footpath to eventually cross the Bridgnorth road by Newhouse Farm. Lunch was taken near Coxgreen (Enville Ales are brewed at the eponymous farm). From the modest 620-ft top of The Sheepwalks, visibility was clear enough to permit views of the Clees, Malverns and The Wrekin. The descent towards Home Farm was equally impressive with the Clent Hills on the horizon. The 9-mile walk concluded with a short section along the drive past Enville Hall to return to the pub. Until only a few years ago, The Cat was one of the few public houses, outside of a city centre business district, not to be licensed to open on Sundays.

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This page updated on 30 December 2007 - & nbsp; Review Date 14 August 2008