Staffordshire Way From Seisdon to Nurton (near Perton)

After Seisdon, the way is very rural

A double stile

Amazing grass...

...near this artificial pond.

The buildings by the main Wolverhapmpton to Bridgnorth Road (the A454) are older, and made of lovely local brick 

 

 I have been along this road many times but never noticed this gatepost

The next part was deceptively flat - and quite boring!

But suddenly there was a very steep climb up to Nurton. You can't really see the steepness in this picture, but I could barely breathe on reaching the top

This walk is really very interesting. I've lived in Staffordshire for 30 years, and yet I'm seeing so many new things and learning so much.

About 16 miles covered. Still a long way to go to the finish at Mow Cop, about 80 miles away

Staffordshire way - Tinkers Castle Ridge, to Seisdon.

Marked on the map as a sandpit, this was a great big quarry

The cliffs were about 60 feet high

 I had been looking forward to the views from Tinkers Castle Ridge, on the road that everyone calls "The Rabbit Run" from Dudley towards Telford. But actually, you can't see anything towards Shropshire from the path as the trees are too leafy! Drivers get the best view!

But looking towards the Black Country, you can see Eve Hill flats on the horizon (near where I used to work)...

...and the skyline of Wolverhampton 

At the end of the ridge is the house from which it gets its name. On the maps, it is called Abbots Castle Ridge. But I have only ever heard it as Tinkers Castle

 The wheelie bin waiting outside displays the Staffordshire knot

 On towards Seisdon, down Post Office Road...

...the houses are mostly modern, but spacious.

This group of garden gnomes wolf whistles as you walk past!

 The Postman on his rounds, fittingly, as this is still Post Office Road.

 View over Smestow Brook

The Victorian post box set into the wall. Just emptied by the postman

 Some lovely late-blooming flowers

Staffordshire Way - from Highgate Common

The sun shone through the trees as I started Day 2 of my Staffordshire Way walk...

...through the woodland...

...and heathland of Highgate Common. 

After getting lost, (too many tracks to choose from), I finally emerged on this, the correct path. 

I soon came across this: I didn't even realise Halfpenny Green had a golf course. I only knew it as the site of a WW2 airfield, still in use for small planes.

The course is in a lovely location

The views are across to Shropshire

At the side is this enormous complex of glasshouses 

In the distance, a tractor ploughs the stubble

 It was great to watch the seagulls following it

 To be continued...

If you want details of any of my walks, email me at lucygriffiths1112%gmail.com, replacing the % with @. Or comment below

Bodenham Arboretum,

At Bodenham Arboretum today 

It's near Wolverley, just over the Worcs/Staffs border)

There are a variety of walks

I did the Five Pool Walk, which was approximately one and a half miles. (Very hilly though)

Although there was a small bit of Autumn colour, the predominant impression is still of trees in their summer foliage

Looking over to the wooded slopes of Kinver Edge

The paths were fairly good, so I will remember this for muddy winter days

No wind to day, so the reflections are clear

I walked all the way over to this ornamental pond to read the notice. It read "deep water". I was hoping for something more informative! 

This is an armillary sundial, invented by Tycho Brahe - famous for astonomical discoveries and inventions - but more familiar to me as an eccentric who wore a false nose.

The cut-leaf acers were in colour, but only just. 

A view back towards the cafe - which I didn't try (but may do in future)

The Arboretum is also a working farm. These Herefords were inquisitive.  

More pictures of the lake.

I will definitely return to see the Autumn colours later in the season. I think everything is quite late this year