26/08/13 - Marching in the Welsh Marches

Distance - 4.6 Miles
Geocaches - 1 (in Cleobury)
Walk from - 40 Country Walks in the Welsh Marches
Today was going to be a monster geocaching trip in the Cotswolds.  Then Sonia wanted to come.  So I replanned an 8 miler from Goodrich.  Then Ellie wanted to come.  Reduce the miles with the added stipulation that I should find a "nice walk that ended at shops".

Our annual visit to Ludlow it is then.

As we have walked there so often, there are no new geocaches to find.  Instead, we stop for a drive by in Cleobury.  I noticed one was published yesterday and there is the chance of a FTF.  No chance, someone has been out at 5:53am.  Addicts.

We park up at my favourite FOC parking space at Whitcliffe.  A fine view for the start of any walk.

Head up the road and pick up the forest path on the Mortimer Trail.  There is an extensive network of paths through the forests that you could walk many times without taking the same route.

Mortimer Trail

We are meant to be dropping down to the Mary Knoll Valley floor.  But first we pickup another Labradoodle and a lady who walks with us for a mile.

Two dogs

We eventually come to the bit where we need to drop to the valley floor.  We say our goodbyes to our new walking companions.  The path is a little indistinct, with some foliage to overcome.  Ellie says "I'm not going down there".  Shame, as the valley looked stunning.

One Refusenik

Family life is all about compromise, so we take the parallel forest track on high ground for some easy walking.

Reach the bottom and our path meets the one that we should have been on.

Of course I can take a photo - I did A Level Art

Leaving the forest behind, we have some nice easy walking through farmland.  We admire the row of 6 identical pairs of Y fronts on the line at Starvcrow.  Bank Hols must be Shropshire wash day.

We read the sign about this being the old Leominster to Ludlow coach road.  History on our doorstep.  The notice board also gives us good directions on which way to head.

Which way to the shops?

Meet the road at Overton and have an easy walk back into town.  Admire the narrow gatehouse that cars can just squeeze through.  As sat nav takes us back this way, I know it is big enough for an E-Class Merc - but only after setting off both parking sensors.

We look for a suitable place for our picnic.  And where could be better than Dinham Bridge, in the shadow of the castle.  Its all setup for a bank holiday extravaganza - geese, ferrets, punch and judy.

Swim before sarnies

Post Sarnie Photo Opp

We need to look at the town and take the path around the castle to bring us out in Market Square.  Timeless walking.

Henry VIII's brother died here, you know.

There is a large market in full flow but despite my protestations, Sonia insists we go for a pint.

Come on in, Mappiman

It is Bank Holiday

A super walk. Next time I am in Ludlow, I am either going to do the walk proper or maybe stop for a night and explore the place properly.