Stokesay Castle to Lyth Hill - 21.8 miles

When I woke this morning it seems that the weather forecasters were right and most of the rain had already fallen in the night. The sun was trying to edge it's way out from behind the clouds and I shared breakfast with a group of photographers .  After breakfast I hit the road and was soon into the hills. On approaching Little Stretton the sky suddenly turned dark and the rain really poured down requiring a sudden quick change into waterproofs. I munched a banana and composed myself as a resident

dog barked madly at me. I left him to carry on  barking and hid in a pub porch to try and read my slightly soggy map. The storm ended as quickly as it has started and I made my way to the path that took me over the Long Mynd and onto Lyth Bank. Numerous storms arrived and passed making the hills at first dark and them bathing them with light. My stop tonight is very comfortable just what I need after a hard day on the road.

Tenbury to Stokesay Castle -19.3 miles

At least this morning was bright and after a brief shower I set out for my lunching point of Ludlow. The wind blew strongly in my face all day but the sunshine made the walk very pleasant . On the way to Ludlow I passed many apple orchards with large clumps of Mistletoe  hanging from the branches. No wonder the Christmas Mistletoe sales are held in this area. I crossed a footpath to bring me into the centre of Ludlow and stopped for lunch before following a narrow road that leaves the town at the base of the castle . The road then passes the racecourse and over the hills until Stokeshay castle is reached. A peculiar mix of house and castle which is home to many Swallows and House Martins. Time for a shower before I walk to the pub!

A wet day on the road from Worcester to Tenbury 23.4 miles

I could not put it off any longer so after breakfast I headed out through the suburbs of Worcester and passed the county cricket ground . The lanes narrowed and I reached the Elgar museum via a very waterlogged footpath . The only thing that cheered me up during the constant rain was the sight of a beautiful male Bullfinch . There was lots of minor road walking today but the rain never really gave up for most of the way. At least there are some comforts. A hot bath and an excellent fish pie and glass of wine at The Ship Inn. It's not all bad. Let's hope tomorrow is a bit dryer though!

Just over a week to go

On Wednesday 7th may I travel up to Worcester to set out on the Big Walk again. I am always filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness just before I go. The excitement comes from the challenge and the discovery of new places along with the time I get to reflect on what's important. In contrast to this comes the fearful thoughts on how my feet will cope with the daily mileage and if when I arrive at the B and B they are expecting me! I learn in short to trust God more and me less.
I have been out doing my final long distance training this week which was 20.25 miles and involved 3750 feet of climbing in the Devon hills.
The countryside has turned notably  greener this week and the Bluebells are at their best. On my walk this week I saw several Jays and lots of Buzzards, Yellow Hammers and Skylarks. I also saw several large fields of Cuckoo flower of 4 or 5 acres in size. My route home takes me through Holyford woods which was once a site of gunpowder production. Climbing the hill out of the woods you the get a wonderful view over the Axe estuary before the easy downhill path to home. My feet held up fine so there are many " reasons to be cheerful".

A sunny day by a clear blue sea

With only about three weeks to go before I set out from Worcester on the next leg of my walk I strode out along the coastal path from Branscombe. The sun felt warm and the sea was calm and very clear.
I walked along the pebble beach and crossed a stream where it enters into the sea.. This called for a spot of long jumping in order to reach the other side and I continued my journey amongst the driftwood and debris that  had been left behind in the recent storms. On a day so calm it seemed hard to imagine that the sea had been anything but tranquil . After climbing to the top of the cliffs via the Hooken I crossed the caravan site  and headed towards the old cottages at the top of the cliffs. Crawling  on the grass in front of me was a Adder who was attracted by the warm sunshine and looking for his lunch. He crawled off  and I headed down the hill to "Great Seaside" where an Orange Tip butterfly had recently emerged and flew past me. I eventually reached my return point and headed for lunch at the Fountain  Head. The perfect end to a glorious mornings walk.

A Preparation day in the Devon Hills

I have been having problems with the side of my right foot so felt it was necessary to test it out before I started back on the LEJOG  in Worcester . My trip out today would be 21 miles out along the coastal path to Sidmouth and then head in land via Sidford and Southleigh and through Holyford woods and home. It was a sunny start to the day but there was a cool breeze blowing from the north which made you keep  your fleece on. The coastal path is winding steep and beautiful. I never tire of walking it and today it was the turn of the Rooks to grab my attention. They have just started nesting and their noisy calls can be heard from a long way off. As the coastal footpath follows the sheltered under cliff  with Speckled wood  butterflies on  patrol in the sunny glades. Evidence of the severe winter storms is apparent all along the coast with washed up debris everywhere . After lunch with 9 miles covered I started the long climb up to Harcombe and onto Southleigh . There were lots of lambs playing in the fields  and the primroses adorned the grassy banks. At Holyford woods many ash trees have been blown down by the recent storms their skeletons lying abandoned throughout the woods. All that remained was the final journey down hill to home having walked 21 miles. No doubt in the morning my legs will be a bit stiff but I did feel a sense of achievement and my right foot felt fine. So far so good!

The Big walk continues - Worcester to Northwich 111 miles

I am back walking the footpaths and roads of England in May and start my journey in Worcester . The route takes me through rural Worcestershire  on through the Shropshire hills and Into Cheshire .
I set out on the 8th May and hopefully get to Northwich in Cheshire  on the 13th of May.
Set out below is my route with each of its daily stages:
Day 1 Worcester to Tenbury Wells - 22 miles
Day 2 Tenbury Wells to Stokesay - 16  miles
Day 3 Stokesay to near Shrewsbury - 21 miles
Day 4 near Shrewsbury to Prees - 23 miles
Day 5 Prees to Tarporley - 17 miles
Day 6 Tarporley to Northwich -12miles
This will make a total of approx 111miles through some of England's most beautiful countryside .
I am looking forward to it already but let's hope it stops raining every day by then!!