Nine Ramblers from seven different groups met near the aqueduct on Old Knutsford Road, all attracted by the promise of a demanding walk. Coming from as far afield as Leicester and Stockport it shows there is a demand for longer walks.
Having crossed the fields to Scholar Green, crossing the canal over the swing bridge was a novelty enjoyed by all. Having to yank up the chain from the bottom of the canal, then pull across the bridge was great fun, even though the chain itself was covered in weed.
The wide appeal of the longer walks was apparent again, as five walkers from five different groups met in Shifnal. There was someone from Stockport, Congleton, Stoke Newcastle, Stone and Birmingham!
The walk itself was less hilly than usual, starting down a pleasant valley with interesting sandstone cliffs. Then, heading south west towards the Ironbridge Gorge across open farmland, there were long views, with the Wrekin in plain site and a glimpse of Caradoc. We stopped briefly at an old church in Sutton Maddock before dropping steeply through the woods of the Gorge.
We found a pleasant grassy slope for the lunch stop, overlooking the river, swollen by the recent rains. Then, of course, we had to regain the lost height to climb out of the Gorge again. After a good start, the path disappeared and we had to fight through brambles onto a deserted golf course. Leaving the course there was a farmyard of the worst sort - overgrown abandoned equipment blocking the route, gloopy mud and worse .... Then we were back on the golf course - pity there is never a chance to recce these walks in advance!
The rest of the walk took us past Brocton Manor and a range of other large properties, then through the more modest village of Pemberton before returning to our original valley. Although the light was beginning to fade, we were back to the cars just after four. Unfortunately we couldn't find a café still open so just have to go our separate ways.
It was a foggy morning when seven Ramblers, from six different groups, met in Longnor Market Square. Setting off towards Chrome Hill and Parkhouse the iconic "Dragons back" was completely hidden in the low cloud, and as we circled round past Glutton Farm and Dowel Dale the views I were expecting did not materialise.
We passed behind Hollins Hill but as we dropped into the Dove valley, we were again below the cloud base and were able to look back across into Staffordshire. We had our coffee break, and Sean treated to our first mince pies of the season, with the offer of Buck's Fizz to go with it!
Having crossed the river we had to negotiate several swamps, Sean less successfully than most. Continuing on, a cute pig caught Nettie's eye as it looked over a wall at us. We continued in the mist until we dropped into the Manifold valley, so we took the opportunity for an early lunch to enjoy the view.
The afternoon stayed dull. We were turned off a farm track at one point and had to back-track and detour. However, we returned to Longnor just after 4 and all enjoyed cake in the Moorland cafe on the square. Everyone had enjoyed the walk and the company, and was looking forward to our next outing.
There was thick mist when we all set off from the Bog car park at the southern end of the Stiperstones. The low cloud meant the Devil's Chair was totally obscured, which according to local legend means He is sitting on it. We avoided the path past the Chair, not for superstitious reasons but because it is very stoney and a much better path skirts round at a lower level.
The expected view across to the Long Mynd were blocked by the mist, but the cobwebs jewelled with dew were a beautiful sight. Soon we had our first climb of the day, up onto thd top of the ridge. Although it was still misty it had cleared enough to see the purple of the heather, the abundant, vivid berries and the trees starting to change colour before dropping into Stipperstones village. We passed the pub and entered the next valley. Then we climbed again as the path tunnelled through the woodlands.
By the time we emerged from the woods the cloud had lifted, and the coffee break afforded a clear view over the Welsh border. We emerged briefly onto the road and again made our way to the next valley, Crowsnest Dingle. This gave us a straight climb of 900 ft, starting on a pleasant track through the woods, then following a little stream past the treeline and back onto the ridge.
By then the sun was fully out, and we had a clear view south to Corndon Hill, just over the border. We could see the Devil's Chair again, this time in profile and clearly unoccupied. Following the ridge north we finally had sight of the Long Mynd the the east. We looked for the Ratlinghope valley we had visited recently but could not make it out in the rolling landscape in-between.
We reached the point where we had crossed the ridge but continued a little further before taking a gentle downhill track. Soon the character of the walk changed completely as we entered grazing land. The sun was hot by then so we sought out shade for a late lunch stop.
After another small hill we reached the River Onny and turned back towards the start point. Yet another climb onto the Stipperstones ridge, this time through conifer woods. Leaving the shelter of the woods exposed us to the full force of the sun again, still hot at 4 o'clock. But the end was close, and a gentle downhill stretch was glorious, again with the Long Mynd in full view.
A long drive and a demanding walk, but very rewarding for all!
Six Ramblers, from four separate groups, met in Ironbridge in the aftermath of Storm Lilian. The wind had not completely died away, but as we were quite a bit further south than Stoke the storm had been less evident.
The sleep climb out of the gorge warmed everyone up, and soon we had all shed our outer layers and were basking in the sunshine. The delight of the rolling Shropshire countryside were new to some of us - most impressive were the views of the distant Clee Hills, with Caer Carodoc visible too.
However there was a downside: many of the paths were waist high in nettles! Perseverance and bravery were necessary, but frequently we also came across plump, ripe blackberries to distract us from the tingling that the nettles had caused, even through walking tights.
When we arrived in the medieval little town of Much Wenlock, I explained I had grown up there, and was able to give a personal guided tour including many of the historic buildings, and the playing fields that gave birth to the local Olympic Games. In 1850 a local physician named Dr Penny Brooks established an "annual competition in sports and the arts". This included competitions between the Quarrymen and the Farm Labourers, and also knitting tasks for the girls. One popular event involved loosing a greased piglet into the crowd - whoever could catch and hold the animal could keep and rear it. In due course Baron Coubertain was inspired by these games to establish the international event that continues to this day, but unfortunately pig catching has never (yet) been included!
Leaving Wenlock behind, we returned to Ironbridge through more little hamlets and the wooded slopes of Ironbridge Gorge.