Little Caradoc and Caer Caradoc 8th June 2024.

In Shropshire, but still a Welsh poppy.

Foxgloves seemed to be the order of the day as well.

Looking across the valley towards Caer Caradoc.

On the path to Cwms Plantation.

Three fingers Rock.

Cuckoos calling near Cwms Plantation.

Little Caradoc.

Ed's tree house at Gulley Green.

Ed on Little Caradoc.

Caer Caradoc ahead.

At Caer Caradoc summit rocks.

The Wrekin from our lunch spot.

Part of the ramparts of Caer Caradoc.

The Long Mynd from Caer Caradoc.

Three Fingers Rock.

The easy way down.

The easy way back to Church Stretton. 

 Helmeth Hill in the centre.

Walk Stats:
Distance: 7.3 miles. Climb: 1475’
Time: 4 hours 32 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 13.5 Celsius at the start. 16.7 Celsius at lunch sheltering below one Caer Caradoc’s ramparts and 15.0 Celsius sitting at the summit. 20.4 Celsius mid-afternoon in the valley.
Beaufort Wind Force: Max 3, a 12.0 m.p.h. Gentle breeze, although it felt stronger than that as we climb the last 100m up the north eastern ridge of Caer Caradoc to the hill fort ramparts.
Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed.
The weather forecast today was looking good, with only a small chance of a shower around lunchtime. The forecast today was pretty accurate, although we did get a little more sunshine than we expected.
This walk was devised because at least one member of the group hadn’t climbed to the top of Caer Caradoc before and we had missed it out last time we had done The Lawley.
A route devised just by looking at the map and paths I can’t remember having used in the last twenty years, so it wasn’t surprising that we found a couple of paths that looked as though they hadn’t been used for some time. Going through one wooded area a footpath direction post would have been helpful!
As we headed along the path towards Cwms Plantation, we spotted a very definite path leading down to the valley from Three Fingers Rock, one which Ed and I would use later in the day
As we approached Cwms Plantation, we heard aa Cuckoo calling several times, although once again we didn’t see one.
Ed was the only one to detour from the path to reach the highest point on Little Caradoc, whilst the rest of us started up the north eastern ridge Caer Caradoc.
Arriving at Caer Caradoc hillfort we were met by a man sitting on a camping chair checking in walkers on six peaks walk and covering 36 miles. I am clad I wasn’t one of them!
After lunch we descended the ridge to Three Fingers Rock, where Mike took the steep most direct route to the valley and Ed and me took the longer, but gentler descent south-eastward to the valley. On the decent we again heard the Cuckoo, but this was a very distant call.
We arrived back at the car, having ad an enjoyable walk and no-one complained by the act that we had only done a short 7.3 mile walk.
Birds seen or heard today: Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven, House sparrow, Dunnock,
European robin, Common blackbird, Common chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Winter wren, Common whitethroat, Woodpigeon, Willow warbler, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Barn swallow and Cuckoo,
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Pant yr Ochain where Purple Moose’s Cwrw Eryri and Titanic Brewery’s Plum porter were enjoyed by two of us and the alcohol free Fentiman’s Ginger Beer by the driver. We even sat outside, still in the Sun, but with a coolish breeze making us think perhaps we should have stayed inside.

The Lawley from Church Stretton 14th October 2023

Mike's rainbow.

A self-service coffee shop offered by Gaerstones Farm.

First views of Caer Caradoc.

A more complete view of Caer Caradoc from the track leading to Cwms Farm.

A wood carved buzzard on the roadside heading for Enchmarsh.

On the path shouldn't have taken!

First view of The Lawley.

The start of the path over The Lawley.

At the first "false" summit with its communication mast.  

The weathervane on the real top can just be made out betweenMike and Ed.

The man ridge of The Lawley lies ahead.

The highest point onThe Lawley with its bird weathervane.

Part of Caer Caradoc from the track across its northern slopes.

On the path through Houghs Coppice.

Caer Caradoc Hill from the All Stretton to Church stretton Road.

Mike's rainbow x 2.

Walk Stats:
Distance: 12.7 miles. Climb: 2123’.
Time: 6 hours 51 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 9.2 – 11.8 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind force: Max – 4 . Moderate breeze.
Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed.
The weather forecast for today suggested feel like temperatures of about7 Celsius, so I decided that use my Winter Paramo gear. This turned out to be a mistake as wearing summer shorts would have been the more comfortable option and I ended up with my Paramo jacket in my rucksack for most of the day. It was largely bright and sunny, although we did get a few very short showers. The only wind of note was as we walked along top of The Lawley when we had 14.7 m.p.h. gusts – no more than a moderate breeze.
Our route took on paths south of Caer Caradoc and The Lawley, and we had good views of the hills we hoped to climb later.
The route description that we had proved difficult to follow and we ended up heading towards Hurst Barn and ended up going through a farm complex to get to the road leading to The Lawley. Lunch was taken on Hoar Edge where we took advantage of an old wall on which to sit. Initially we were in bright sunshine, but our lunch break was cut short by one of the rain showers.
In future we would not take the track down to the valley and the Hurst Barn route taken today, instead we would continue along Hoar Edge to the road and follow the road to north east end of The Lawley to pick up the path heading up the ridge.
The climb along the ridge of The Lawley crosses over two mini-tops before reaching s the highest point with its bird topped weathervane.
As we descended from The Lawley we were entertained by several Ravens souring, tumbling and diving as they took advantage of the moderate breeze.
As it was getting late we decided not to attempt the climb over Caer Caradoc and instead follow the lower path across the northern side of the hill.
Once more the route description wasn’t easy t follow and we ended up going through Houghs Coppice and on to All Stretton, where we followed the road back to Church Stretton and the car.
Birds seen or heard today included: Common buzzard, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven, European robin, Common blackbird and Stonechat.
Overall an enjoyable walk, if you can forget about the final tedious road walk from All Stretton to Church Stretton.
After the walk Mike and I decided to visit a local hostelry for refreshments while Ed decided his preferred option was to visit the local chippy. Having rejected the Buck’s Head, we ended up in the busy King’s Arms, a Joules brewery outlet. This hostelry claims to welcome dogs and cyclists. We saw plenty (at least 4) of the former, but none of the latter unless they incognito!
Just as we were leaving the King’s Arms, it started to rain quite heavily, but it also threw up a magnificent rainbow that Mike managed to photograph with his phone camera.A late finish by the time we got back to Chester, too late to clean my boots and too tired to complete the blog.

A Welshampton Wander - Ellesmere – Meres, Mosses and Moraines 27th May 2023

Setting off along the canal towpath.

The Ellesmere Tunnel ahead.

Not what you expect to see in a rural garden.

You wouldn't expect this either.

The Shropshire Union Canal (Llangollen Branch) near Cole Mere.

A "Chocolate box cover" thatched cottage near Cole Mere.

A Mute swan and five young on Cole Mere.

Cole Mere Swans and Swallows.

St.Michael's and All Angels Church at Welshampton.

At the trig point south of Lea Wood.

At the trig point south of Lea Wood.

The view from the trig point south of Lea Wood.

Guinea fowl near Crimps Farm.

Descending towards The Mere.

Hazy views of Dinas Bran.

St. Mary's Church, Ellesmere.

or

"Haven't you seen a shorn sheep before?".

Not impressed with this one!

Just a few more Mute swans on Ellesmere.

Walk stats:
Distance: 8.4 miles. Climb: 394’.
Time: 4 hours 18 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Temperature: Max -17.2 Celsius at lunch at St. Michael’s and All Angels Church Welshampton. Minimum – 13.2 Celsius just after setting off.
Beaufort Wind Force: Max - 1, just a coolish light air as we set off.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Ed and David S.
Another good day for walking, not as sunny as we had hoped, but still very pleasant.
This was quite a varied walk that included woodland paths, canal towpaths, and country lanes, giving good views of three meres (The Mere at Ellesmere, Blake Mere and Cole Mere).
Lunch was taken at St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, where we all found suitable spots to sit.
After lunch the paths weren’t always as obvious as the walk description suggested, with maps on our GPSs we were able to keep on track.
A bonus today was being able to visit a trig point, not something you would expect to see on a largely flat walk!
Birds seen or heard today included: Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Winter wren, Woodpigeon, Canada goose, Common chaffinch, Herring gull, Mute swan, Red kite, Barn swallow, House martin. Common coot, European robin, Greenfinch, Mallard, Great crested grebe, Feral pigeon, House sparrow, Collared dove and Guinea fowl.
The nearer we got to The Mere, the more people we saw – Ellesmere is still a very popular place to visit.
Overall a very enjoyable walk that could be done in all seasons, but today it was at its best with dry conditions under foot and lots of spring flowers on show.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Pant-yr-Ochain, where Titanic’s Plum Porter and Purple Moose’s Snowdonia Ale were the beers of choice.

Whitchurch - The Ash Brown Walk 2nd August 2018

St Alkmund's Church, Whitchurch.

High Street, Whitchurch.

The Joyce clock in the centre of Whitchurch.

Crossing the suspension bridge over the railway.

Time for a rest in the centre of Ash Magna.

The Shropshire Hills on the skyline above the corn.

Brown Moss Nature Reserve.

The view from our lunch spot - the picnic bench at Brown Moss N.R.

Following my leader - not really, just heading for the drinking troughs next to the field exit gate.

A typical black and white timber fronted property on Dodington, Witchurch.

Alms Houses on Dodington, Whitchurch.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.3 miles. Climb: 377'.

Time: 3 hours 45 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m..h. Ocerall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, David S., Wendy and Celia.

This was the first time for several months that Celia has felt able to walk with the group, hopefully she will soon be able to join the group on a more regular basis.

 We knew that the weather today was going to be pretty warm, with the prospect of a cool breeze. This was exactly what we experienced, although it did get a little hotter than we anticipate,so we were quite grateful that we had completed the walk by 14-00.

 We set off from the Jubilee Park Car Park towards the centre of Whitchurch, the official start of the walk. The walk started near St. Alkmund's Church down High Street, so we were able to enjoy walking through this picturesque market town.

 So far we haven't been able to complete any of the Whitchurch Walks without a hitch, today wasn't going to change anything, as once more we lost a path and ended up going round a field edge to link in with another path that got us back on track.

 After leaving Ash Magna we went through two fields occupied by horses, some quite large, all of which decided that they wanted to get up close, too close for some of us!

 This isn't a particularly exciting walk, but we did get glimpses of the Shropshire Hills as we descended towards Brown Moss Nature Reserve.

 Thankfully the one picnic bench at Brown Moss NR was vacant as we arrived there at mid-day,so we were able to enjoy lunch in the shade, but still with views through the trees to the lake.

 After lunch we only had a couple of field paths to cross before hitting the tarmac all te way back to town. On the last of these fields cattle decided to come and investigate the invaders of their territory or so we thought. In fact they too must have been thirsty and were just heading to their drinking trough which happened to be on route to footpath exit gate on to the road.

 The walk finished by passing through more interesting street in Whitchurch before returning to the car through the Jubilee Park where it was good to see lots of young people enjoying themselves outside.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Barn swallow, Wood nuthatch, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Common buzzard, House sparrow and Woodpigeon.

 We arrived back at the car, thankful that the walk hadn't been too challenging and we could head for refreshments, which today was s the Edgerton Arms at Broxton. Locally produced Weetwood best bitter was the beer of choice, but others sampled fruit cider and lager.