Hagley to Stourton along the Monarch's Way 1

The Monarch's Way stretches for 615 miles, following the route of Charles II after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester. 
This part of the route starts in Hagley, near Stourbridge. This is the A456 to Birmingham, which you follow for about 400 metres,...

...before turning up Monument Lane, which turns into a cart track.

The walk is leafy and pleasant: you could be a million miles away from habitation

As we climbed Wychbury Hill, the views over the surrounding countryside, and towards the Abberley Hills were quite spectacular.

The Obelisk is just off the route, but you really have to take a detour,

...not least because of the views. Towards Worcestershire here,...

...then over to Shropshire...

...and down to the Malverns.

The monument has "heritage" graffiti on it, referring to a local murder scandal/mystery from 1941. More can be found on that wondrous site, Wikipedia 

Leaving the Obelisk, the path then gives great views over the Black Country. The white blocks of flats are in Brierley Hill.

Descending, the views are to Stourbridge, the next point of the journey.

The path with the Wrekin, Shropshire, in the distance

It's a good year for blossom. (Brown Clee in the distance)

After a short way on the road, the path goes down into Ham Dingle nature reserve. I had never been here: the locals have a gem on their doorsteps!

It really is lovely

Continuing on to Oldswinford.

Mistletoe in the trees.

Oldswinford church and, presumably, Vicarage.

Aargh! This is a genuine Tudor timbered house. Why - really why? - would you put such an unsympathetic "loft extension" on it?

More walking, and Stourbridge High Street is reached. Time for refreshment!

The walk continues tomorrow.
Today's walk: Parking at Hagley, and then following the Monarch's Way 9 miles to Stourton. (Park by Stewpony Lock on the junction of the A449/A458). The route is fairly well signposted, though it's probably best to have a copy of the guidebook in case you get lost in the streets, where tiny stickers can be hard to spot.