Arley - a lovely 4 mile walk

The sun came out in the late afternoon, so I rushed over to Arley to try this walk. I was glad I did: it's lovely.
Starting at the car park by the river, I followed the Severn downstream

The notice board, outlines some of the local history of the area

And next to it is this encouraging sign referring to my walk, the Upper Arley Circular Walk.  All I had to do was follow the signs with the the blue ferryman symbol. 

The river sparkled as I set off

Much of the early path was through the trees of Eymore Wood - and some parts were a bit muddy. But I think, best to go now before the leaves hide some of the glorious views

Victoria Bridge, built in 1861 to carry the railway.

Both banks are very hilly and scenic

Looking back at the bridge 

The banks of Trimpley Reservoir reminded me of the early Windows screensaver

The walk skirts the reservoir, and it is not actually visible for a while

Over the river, a very isolated (and very pink) house

Looking back - the grass is almost luminously green

Reaching the signpost where the path leaves the river 

Leaving this scene behind - the Severn Way carries on along the river  ... obviously!

After a short steep climb, I reached Trimpley Reservoir...

...with more lovely views

To be continued... (click here for part two)

Today's walk: this is the first part of the 4 mile Upper Arley Circular Walk. It really is well signposted - I didn't use my map at all. There are a few steep (but mercifully short) climbs, and there was quite a lot of mud early on. But the views are fantastic. One to try: give it a go.

Stourport river walk - part 2

I could hear a loud noise ahead, which I thought was a factory of some sort. It turned out to be the weir at Lincomb with its barrage in front, to stop boats being swept over it.

Lincomb Lock ahead 

Below the lock, a fisherman, wrapped up against the cold. 

Ahead, the path disappeared, and the water reached the steep valley side.  Nothing for it but to paddle.

Looking back, you can really see the problem.

On the far side, some interesting chalets - and the river flowing very swiftly.

The steep sides of the path, where the river has worn its way through sandstone

The sun came out again 

There are some lovely views along this stretch

This is Lincomb Cross Country Course. You can pay to use this for training your horse. The fences are of all size and difficulty. I've been over most of the smaller ones!

These ones are more difficult, and are about 3' or 3'6"

A close up of a bullfinch fence

Across the River is the Hampstall Inn

Returning by the same route: these goats seemed happy to see me.

There are lots of holiday caravans along this stretch.

The sunlight illuminates the spray from the weir 

Stourport comes into view, accompanied by stormy skies

Boats below the main basin. This is so lovely I'll come here again - it deserves a lot of pictures

I'm always fascinated by overflows - though I realise no-one else probably is.

The kingfishers have now left the lock - perhaps they are morning feeders?

I enjoyed this walk, and will be back for more in the spring/summer. 

Today's Walk: parking in the carpark by the Leisure Centre, cross the bridge and just walk along the Severn. I walked as far the Hampstall pub (on the other side of the river though) and returned by the same route. 5.5 miles in total. The route is suitable for runners as far as Lincombe Lock, but after that it is muddy and there are fallen trees to climb over, so it would make progress slow.

Stourport - an easy river walk

It was a sunny day, and my phone said there was 0% chance of rain. So I was a little surprised when this rainbow greeted me as I parked in Stourport

Undaunted, I crossed the bridge and set off on my walk

Stormclouds over the fair 

The flags were fluttering gaily in the breeze

But there's more to Stourport than the fair.  It's the junction of the Staffs and Worcs Canal with the River Severn

If you peer very closely at this picture you will see a kingfisher on the side of the lock. There were several photographers with long lenses there too. The kingfishers are a big attraction! (sorry my camera is just small)

 It's quite turbulent where the two waterways meet

I stopped to buy some lunch at the Windlass Cafe by the side of the canal basin

Sadly, I've given up cake till Easter, so I will need to return then. Brie and cranberry baguette was lovely though

The Tontine Hotel. A Tontine is an agreement where two people own something between them but on the death of one, the other takes the whole lot. You can see that it would be a brilliant motive for murder - but it is now illegal!

The River Severn has its own long distance path - the Severn Way. 224 miles from its source at Pumlumon/Plinlimon to Bristol
There's also the Geopark Way - 109 miles from Bridgnorth to Gloucester

The riverside would be a good place for runners as well as walkers (this mud is not deep)

Across the river to the Redstone Caves - once home to a hermitage, apparently

There's also a busy monster size boatyard (I'm used to narrow boats!)...

... a home to all sorts of rivercraft

The view from the bridge. Riverboats sparkling in the sun.

There was lots to see, so I'll continue this tomorrow.

Today's Walk: parking in the carpark by the Leisure Centre, cross the bridge and just walk along the Severn. I walked as far the Hampstall pub (on the other side of the river though) and returned by the same route. 5.5 miles in total. The route is suitable for runners as far as Lincombe Lock, but after that it is muddy and there are fallen trees to climb over, so it would make progress slow.