Kinver: an unexpected walk

On the map, it looked fine: a three mile circular walk starting at the Lydiates, (or Cross Gun Club, as many people know it). 

It started well, with a view over to Vale Head Farm, which used to be a riding school, then a livery yard, and is now part of the Ruskin Trust's Glasshouse College (click to see more), providing educational opportunities for young people with particular needs 

The path passes the old farm buildings, now part of Cross Gun Club 

There are good views over to the Edge

Looking down at one of the lakes - the fishing co-exists with the clay pigeon shooting

The structures are part of the traps for firing the clays.

The warning sign

Then the path turns into this field

Absolutely fantastic to see that there is a clear path through the field. Deserving of a medal! Particularly in view of what came next...

Round the edges of the field, I think these are some form of chamomile

This is a barley field, but there's quite a bit of wheat still growing in it. Last year's crop?

And that's when the walk went wrong. The next path I tried was non existent. Not possible to follow at all. So I had to detour to an area called The Wilderness - which was planned for a separate walk

There were more hidden lakes on this unplanned bit of walk

...and some ponies hiding in the  nearby trees. But I'll explore this walk properly another time.

So, I walked back the way I had come. By now, storm clouds were coming up over the Sheepwalks...

...though the way ahead was still pleasant. The far woodland is Kinver Edge

 Here's a better view of the Edge, just past the Gun Club.

So, what about the non-existent path? Two things: first, I'll try to walk it from the other end, to make sure of my facts - and I'll report it if I need to. Second, I have signed up for the Big Path Watch, an ambitious nationwide survey of our footpaths. You can sign up to walk all the paths in a kilometre square, and download a smartphone app to send in your results. I've signed up for three squares - and I'll be charting my progress on here. Watch this space.

Netherton Tunnel - over the top, and back through

Sailing and musical commitments meant I haven't walked for two weeks. Then, free at last, it was raining. So where better than a walk which is half underground?

Arriving at Netherton's Bumble Hole Nature Reserve, on the Netherton Tunnel Branch of the BCN...

 ...I took a look at the southern portal of the Tunnel...

...then headed up the hill, past Cobb's Engine House, which once pumped water from Windmill End mine.

The hill is very steep. It climbs about 300 feet (but it felt like more!)

Looking back at the Engine House, which once served the 30 foot seam - the richest coal seam in Britain.

Near the top, this pool is one of many in the Nature Reserve

Crossing the road, and walking towards Warren Hill Farm, there is a fishing pool - being used despite the rain.

 There's a riding stables up here...

...and also a great view, which I couldn't see through the mist! It would be as far as Shropshire on a clear day.

Warrens Hall Stables

 More of the cute ponies,...

...plus an invisible view.

Along Oakham, Road, the boat nearly 900 feet above sea level, named "The Wetter the Better", which was pretty appropriate.

Beginning to descend again, these views are presumably of Sandwell, Cannock Chase and Birmingham (but I couldn't see them to confirm)

The FLY entrance to a local school (Stands for Foundation Years - the parents I asked didn't know what the L stood for). I was imagining something much weirder.

Further downhill, Tividale Park's fabulous outdoor keep fit station. Interesting that this side of the hill is a neat park, while the Dudley side is a wild nature reserve

I finally got to the canal. The bridge has the ungainly name of the Tividale Aqueduct Support Island

I followed these two boats (Jenny, and Mon Amour) through the tunnel

The Northern Portal - with Mon Amour just disappearing into the murky depths.

After years of disrepair, Netherton Tunnel was reopened in 1984

It's almost one and three quarters of a mile long.

I counted 7 ventilation shafts, with rain pouring through. But I kept quite dry on the towpath.

An oncoming boat passed me. I didn't get its name. The walk took me about 40 minutes, lit by the torch on my phone

In places, there are bolts sticking out of the side. Protective railings ensure you won't walk into them in the dark

Interesting number plaques too,

Amazing "stalactites"

Reflections at the far end. Unusually - possibly uniquely, there's a towpath on either side.

Emerging into the light. 

Looking over towards Toll End Bridge

Back at my starting point, Cobbs Engine House in the distance, and the brick built cafe (on the left) run by volunteers. 

This is a great, and historic walk. It's quite a climb, and I wouldn't recommend walking through the tunnel without a torch. I must do it again on a sunny day, when I can actually see the views!

Today's walk: starting at Bumble Hole visitors Centre., taking the hill, up past Cobbs Engine House, crossing the B4171, New Rowley Road. Then through Warrens hill, past the stables, and over the Oakham road into Regent Road, along the Birmingham New Road and through Tividale Park. Along Redwood Drive and left into a small road with access to the canal. Climb down the steps to the lower canal, and then back though Netherton Tunnel to your starting place. My walk was about 5.25 miles

A walk on the Gower, part 2 Sunshine, showers and spectacular views.

Continuing my walk from Port Eynon, on the Gower. A band of rain heading our way.

Beautiful wild flowers all along the coast. The pink thrift was dying off, but here are some harebells - one of my favourite flowers because they are so hardy and grow in inhospitable places, like mountain tops.

Spectacular cliffs

Clear signage - always a plus, so you don't waste ages figuring out where you are

Honeysuckle in the hedgerows

Even the stone walls are covered in flowers

Contemplating the expansive views,... and the oncoming shower.

Wheat fields just starting to turn yellow

The path runs along the tops of the valleys so not too much ascent and descent

At one point, the path turns slightly inland...

...past yet more flowers...

...and down into rocky Longhole Valley...

...with its limestone cliffs.

I'm enjoying the sunshine here

The limestone reminded me of the Pyrenees: here's a picture of me there, though this was at about 5000 feet above sea level. Same poor taste in shorts and hats though!

Looking towards Port Eynon on our way home

I think this is knapweed

Although this looked like some ordinary scree, many of those rocks were standing on their ends, with other rocks balanced on top. Difficult to show in a photo, and very weird to walk past

Nearly home

The Port Eynon memorial stone, now in a blue sky

Port Eynon Bay - and back to the car!

A great walk. I award it 10/10. (Why? Wild, but easy to follow. Great scenery. Not too well known. A few climbs, but mostly level. Great wild flowers.) To see the first part of this walk, click here
Today's walk: Park at Port Eynon car park ( right on the seafront.) Turn right and follow the coast path. We walked out for 3.5 miles, and then back by the same route. The path has two steep climbs, but is otherwise fairly easy. After the first mile and a half, it keeps to the higher ground, as you can see from the above picture. It's very good for an out and back walk, because the views look different from the other way.

You can walk from Port Eynon to Rhossili, which is 7 miles, with a connecting bus service, but we didn't want to rely on Sunday buses in Wales.  During the week, buses are approx every hour till about 3pm.