Staffordshire Way Abbots Bromley to Uttoxeter Part 2

Leaving a big agri-business farm behind, the fields got smaller and more scenic. 

Sad as I am, I began to ponder: why do I like railway viaducts and windmills, but not pylons and wind turbines? 

It's nearly winter, and the farmer's mind turns to cutting the hedgerows

This farm had the fascinating name of Hanging Wicket Farm. But there was nothing remarkable about it. No hanging, no wicket. Just farm.

The last bit of the path followed a hedge line for over a mile and a half. It may have been an ancient one, being so straight, and having lots of others joining it at right angles

The straight path continues

Uttoxeter in view

 I left the Staffordshire Way to find the bus station on the far side of town.

 Level crossings fascinate me. I suppose new ones wouldn't be allowed in these days of Health and Safety .

The trains do go past quite quickly though! 

 Uttoxeter market square

 The Olde Talbot pub had an interesting sign.  Dr Johnson (of Dictionary fame) once refused to help his father run a market stall here. Later, as a penance, he stood there on the spot for a whole day.

Looking up the High Street. The Christmas decorations are in place, but not yet illuminated.

The Staffordshire Way will be continued, at some point in the future. 

Walk details: I parked in Abbots Bromley and followed the Staffordshire Way (very clearly signposted), walking into town to get the bus back. They aren't very frequent, so check first! Total of 8 miles easy walking. Only 6/10 for scenery though.

Staffordshire Way - Abbots Bromley to Uttoxeter

As well as walking locally in the Black Country, I also like long distance paths.

At the moment I'm following the Staffordshire Way, finding out out about my adopted county.

Hope you enjoy reading about it!

Well, here's Abbots Bromley. Last time I was here, the landlady of this pub (the Goat's Head) lit a fire because I arrived soaking wet.!

Nice shop opposite

A closer view of the Buttercross

Another pub, the Crown. I didn't try that one.

I liked this old house with its uneven roof line

Abbots Bromley is noted for its Horn Dance. The local surgery have added a stethoscope to the village's badge

And the walk begins.

 The forecast sunshine tried very hard to burn off the early morning mist, but it didn't succeed all day. Looking back across misty fields towards Abbots Bromley 

 After a good while through fields, I reached the Bagot Estate, agribusiness on a massive scale. This field is hundreds of acres in size, and there are plantations as part of the estate's pheasant shoot.

There were some huge earthworks going on

It looked like excavations for a large fishpond

More of this walk tomorrow

Walk details. I parked in Abbots Bromley, and walked to Uttoxeter, a distance of about 7 miles, with a further mile to the bus station to catch the 302/3 bus back. The bus whose timetable I had downloaded last week no longer runs! This is a good walk, but not a great one. Needed to be done as part of the Staffs Way though

A walk into Kinver - part two

Arriving in Kinver, the lights are on everywhere. 

The local shops look very inviting. This is Village Greens

The Butchery.

 The Buttercross, with the lights of the library behind

The Olde White Harte 

There are notices advertising the Big Tree Switch on on 18th November. Well worth visiting: Kinver does these things very well 

 The chemist

Rows of children's bubble bath. I always wanted to try Matey bubble bath as a child: I never did though.

Window box still blooming

 Returning to the canal, the sun has set and I am in twilight. The house boats look even more snug and inviting

Hyde Lock still beautiful in the gloom. 

 And there, I ran out of daylight. Note to self: start shopping a bit earlier!

Sorry about the picture quality: the lack of light was a problem

The walk route: Park in Greensforge Lane and take to path down to the woods. Turn right at the bottom of the hill, and follow the path to The Hyde.  Keep left by the chalet-style houses to the canal. Turn right and follow the canal to Kinver. return by the same route. About 3 miles of lovely easy walking

A walk into Kinver - part 1

Starting from Greensforge Lane, I walked into Kinver to do some shopping. It was late afternoon and the light was already starting to fade

This hole-y tree stump had me wondering...

...until I saw the remains of wild honey

There were notices advising that there was to be some sensitive tree felling in Chance Wood Nature Reserve. Many of the trees were old, so probably not a bad idea

The land drops away quite steeply

An example of the tree felling. The whole walk used to be done under a tree canopy and it was possible to walk in the rain without getting wet. It's much more airy now

Crossing the River Stour...

...and following the track...

...to the canal.

The house at Hyde Lock is always a lovely sight 

 From the other side.

Below the lock there are several residential boats 

What a great place to live...

...as the name suggests.

What was the story here, I wonder?

The boats with Kinver church high above in the distance

A beautiful garden - and no wonder. It's being worked on late on a Friday afternoon

 The water treatment works, with the church in view again

Reaching Kinver High Street

More tomorrow 

The walk route: Park in Greensforge Lane and take to path down to the woods. Turn right at the bottom of the hill, and follow the path to The Hyde.  Keep left by the chalet-style houses to the canal. Turn right and follow the canal to Kinver. return by the same route. About 3 miles of lovely easy walking