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.