In which we go up- and down – and up – and down
After a very fulsome breakfast (full English with vegetarian sausages) and a couple of cups of tea (having given up on hotel coffee) we met up in the parking lot and packed my stuff into the boot. We set off on a public path across the road, heading for the hills. Crossing several fields, then the railway tracks, and some more fields with stiles, the track started heading uphill to Caer Caradoc, one of the “peaks” on the east side of town. It was a decent climb, well used with several other groups passed enroute.
The wind was fierce up top so we didn’t linger there; on one of the passes on the way down we were all actually shifted by the force of it. I took a video to record the sound of it but have no idea why there is no sound…. oh well, it looks pretty and gives an idea of the beautiful views we got. Unfortunately this site doesn’t upload videos so you’ll have to put it together from the stills!
This is designated an “area of natural beauty” and apparently Church Stretton was the first community in the West Midlands to be granted “walkers are welcome” status and there are many trails around, and many trail users!
My hiking guides. The plateau at the top of the hill sported an Iron Age fort, which we all agreed was an odd spot for a habitation as there would be no water, and all supplies would have to be carried up a fairly steep incline. Definitely could see marauders coming though so maybe it was worth the effort.
New heather starting up
The trail goes on and ever on… The clouds looked threatening but we only got a couple of spits of rain. It was the wind that was impressive!
We hiked up and over two other smaller peaks before winding down to the valley.
An enterprising farmer had set up a self-service honor payment cafe with an impressive espresso machine and some attractive ice cream buckets in a shed, and furnished some picnic tables beside a popular parking spot for the trails. Hilary and John had kindly brought along thermoses of coffee, vegetarian scotch eggs, and flapjacks so we tucked in.
It was a lovely walk back to Church Stretton along trails and lanes, with rich hedgerow wildflowers and fields of this wild garlic. It was occasionally quite pungent.
At the car, still parked at the first pub B&B we reckoned we deserved a beer so had a try of a local beer – quite good and definitely hit the spot. Final tally, 13 km and 1850′ elev gain (564 m).
Then on to check into the next B&B where I’m able to stay put for a couple of nights; the owners had closed for a couple of days to attend the Chelsea Flower show and we had a good chat about that (their first time attending also). The husband was Canadian (English Montreal) and his mother’s family came from Elgin so that was worth a chat as well! The house is lovely, will be quieter without a pub below, and has a network of rooms – very large place. Even better, there is a bath in the ensuite which was immediately christened!!
Dinner at a pub in Church Stretton was very good, with my first GOOD English fish and chips of the trip and a trial of a different, darker beer called the “sleeping monk”. Nice as well. Lovely old pub, with a large garden and picnic tables extending the seating. The menu was pretty impressive.
Managed to get some laundry done and hung up, though doubt it’ll dry overnight.
More rambling tomorrow!