Staffordshire way, Day 1 part 3.

The last bit of my first Staffordshire Way day. I walked from Kinver to Highgate Common, which is 6 miles.But as I had to walk back again the total was 12 miles. It means that progress will be slow!

(I must investigate public transport)

Bales of haylage - lots of these on the route

I could just see Eve Hill flats from here, near where I used to work

A country lane

A rather different farm. The white structures are yurts

http://www.glampingwestmidlands.co.uk/

The farmhouse is traditional...

...but the inquisitive llamas are less usual

It looks as if they diversify into fishing as well.

This sight amazed me. It's a field that has been ploughed. We haven't had rain for a while, so the sandy soil looks like a desert.

On my return leg, the horses at Enville prefer the shade on what has been a very sunny day.

The stables again, with a rider approaching.

A lovely day for exercising horses.

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Staffordshire Way, Day 1, part 2 Into Enville

Continuing on the Staffordshire way:

In the grounds of Enville Hall there is a cricket pitch. I love this old scoreboard, built in locally-made Enville brick

A former resident of Enville Hall in the late 19th century was the Earl of Stamford, who was once President of the MCC. Apparently  he took some of the lovely Enville turf to Lords Cricket ground. As I passed, the covers had been moved aside and the wicket was being watered.

Some estate cottages

This used to be the village school - now a private house

This is my local newsagent. You can clearly see the beautiful Enville brick on this one

 The Forge

Enville church, made of red sandstone - which is also responsible for the sandy paths in the area 

The path briefly follows the A458 before disappearing into countryside once more...

...of which, more tomorrow.

Staffordshire Way, Day 1, Part 1 - horsey memories

The Staffordshire Way runs 95 miles from Kinver Edge to Mow Cop (just into Cheshire)

Today's pictures are the section from Kinver to Enville

After the first half mile, the route is a bridle path, and it brought back many happy memories of riding along it with a band of (often) mad ponies.

The sandy soil made it good to ride even in winter because it never really froze.

Hard to walk on though!

Various crops along the way

Mostly harvested now

This is Home Farm, Enville, with what was once a fish pond to supply the estate with fresh protein on Fridays (when people didn't eat meat)

The hall itself. Burned down and rebuilt around 1900

These are the estate stables. 

All the stuff on this washing line is for horses.

Details of the next part of my route tomorrow

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On the Edge

A quick walk round Kinver Edge, Staffs today.

My favourite quick walk - only a mile and a half long

The blackberries are still ripening in some places  - gone over in others though. (They've been very early this year)

At times this path is in dappled shade... 

...sunny at other times

The view from the narrow path approaching Nanny's Rock 

From the rock

Looking over to the Sheepwalks, where I was on Monday

It's quite a steep drop, as you can see from the tops of the trees

Although it was a sunny day, the views aren't very clear. Air pollution has a lot to answer for!

This is the view over to the Clent Hills, which are looming dimly in the background. I'll post a clear one after the next rain showers and you will see a big difference.

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

Sheepwalking, part 1

In the glorious September sunshine, I went walking on the Sheepwalks today. It's located near Enville. 

The start was the junction of Sheepwalks Lane, Herons Gate Road and Hollies Lane, which is a good parking spot.

The route takes you instantly to the tops of the hils

This is probably a scene which has changed very little over the years - apart from occasional tyre tracks from agricultural vehicles 

 The views are spectacular. This is over towards Telford

A lonely tree

Over to Telford again

The bleached bones of an old tree,

There's a seat on the top. Very handy for sandwiches!

More to follow

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If you need a reason

Ha ha, typical - I didn't do any walking today, but I read this in yesterday's paper, so there's a need for renewed vigour tomorrow!

I haven't got arthritis yet but it certainly runs in my family. Walking it is, then.

Bransford Bridge

Another pre-blog August walk, this time to Bransford Bridge, not far from Worcester  grid ref SO804532

The wheat was nearly ready for harvesting,...

 ...although there was no sign of Autumn colour on the leaves (20th August)

Trees on their own in the middle of fields always attract me. Must have been in a hedgerow once, but now this field is enormous.

 This was the view from Bush Hill. Already harvested here

The footpath sign proves I wasn't trespassing! That's the Malverns in the distance. 

 Oats here, I think

Me and the Malverns.

Just after this, the path was totally overgrown, so the end of the walk was a bit of a disaster. Going to walk it again as the brambles die off, but if it's still no good, I'll be on the phone to the Worcestershire footpaths officer!!!!!