The path took me back up to the top of the scarp but this came pretty easily and after walking along the quarry path which undulated through small scale but extensive quarrying it was when I was descending to Much Wenlock that I saw the best example of a quarry with lime kiln that I’d seen along the Edge.
I stopped at the historic Much Wenlock with an attractive covered market. I timed it well for opening of the Tea on the Square cafe at 9 and stayed for 40 mins over a fresh bacon and egg sandwich and cappuccino where the staff were welcoming a I enjoyed chatting with them and felt buoyed up by the company.
The path then lead to a disused railway for short stretch, in a cutting filled with wild garlic and with beautiful springy ground underfoot …. unlike yesterday’s longer stretch.
The profuse dandelions of Wenlock Edge fields had been replaced by rather less profuse cowslips around Much Wenlock and towards Ironbridge. A pleasant lane without traffic led me towards my lunch destination at Ironbridge.
A landslip had closed the route of the Shropshire Way so I followed the deviation onto a lower path - actually the Cross-Britain Way - I’ve asparagus asparagus oh well I’m glad he checked I wasn’t sure he would never heard of that before!! The only problem was that along this path was the possibly the worst kind of mud in my view - a thin slime on top of either dry mud or stones after a shower - which can act like an icerink - I’d almost prefer the wet sticky stuff! Although looking at it dried up, I’m not so sure!
Walking along the gorge was a surprise although I don’t k ow why I wasn’t expecting it, and then the famous bridge came into view. Continuing along the river I realised how much I enjoy being near water. But no birdlife that I spotted today.
The light rain was becoming more persistent but the temperature was cool enough not to feel clammy. I crossed the river over the footbridge leading to the inclined plane - 2 rail lines going up a much steeper slope than I’d expected.
I then followed the Monarch’s Way but got stuck when a newly wooden bridge had been destroyed by a large fallen oak - it looked quite recent too. I resorted to crawling through a blackthorn hedge onto a golf course to the consternation and great amusement of some golfers. They cautioned that there were golfers following but fortunately I was able to rejoin the path which then re-emerged by the golf course and was able to tell some golfers who said they’d report it the club.
I then realised that by following the Monarch’s Way I had left the End to End route but this involved no more than 100 metres of road walking and was probably slightly shorter - good result!
Having arrived at Brockton it was only a few fields to walk through before arriving at Kemberton where - joy of joys - first Barney (young golden retriever) and then Georgie and Maria appeared out of the green lane. The pub was shortly after and it didn’t take much convincing for me to decide to finish for the day and relax.
Seeing Georgie’s tent go up already me feel like this was luxury. And it didn’t stop there… a proper towel, hairbrush, normal clothes. Wonderful.
I’ll stop there and enjoy the evening!
Glad you have been joined by the girls. Your previous post took me back to 1948 when I was doing compulsory military service in Shropshire and decided to climb the Wrekin which you mention. I little thought, standing on the summit, that within a few weeks I would meet your mother and be with her on holiday in Shropshire many decades later. We met at a college dance and she gave me a cold reception until I said I had played cricket against her school. Suddenly I was no longer a stranger and she smiled! You know the sequel. Trust the weather is kind and you enjoy the weekend. Soon be at the Izaak Walton.
ReplyDeleteMuch love Dad xxx