10/05/14 - Nine Minutes Early

Walk Inspiration
Distance - 10.3 Miles
Geocaches - 7
Start - Droitwich
Finish - Worcester Foregate Street

Droitwich Canal at EveryTrail


This morning, Sonia has discovered another one of my secrets.  I have been ordering specialist magazines from the Internet.

Today's walk was always in jeopardy.  The weather did not look great.  A look on BBC weather indicated that there would be a gap between downpours, as long as I am finished by midday.  As Sonia is off to work, this means I can take in a walk that had zero appeal to her a month ago and tie it in a visit to the eighth of the Top 10 pubs in Worcestershire.  First, I check out on Twitter about the Plough Inn, Worcester and determine that there is a review of it in issue number 4 of Dog House magazine.

And Why Wouldn't I buy it?

I quickly leap out of bed and find my copy and start to check out what is in store for me as a reward for this walk.  The Spanish Inquisition starts as to where I got said publication from.  Like all my walking ideas, I found it on the Internet.

As I get goretexed up, I leave her reading the magazine.

Today's walk is sourced from www.walkingworld.com.  I noticed it a couple of months ago and have kept it in mind.  After walking a lot of canals when creating the Brummie Ring, I failed to interest Sonia in a 10 mile linear walk along another canal.  So it has been saved for a day when I am alone.

Park up at Droitwich Station and then meet the canal.

Keep it to your left and keep on walking

There are a few caches for me at the beginning of the walk and I break up the plod by diving into various bushes for a hunt.  The caches run out at Salwarpe Church, the first architectural object on interest so far.

Quite liked these three identical graves

I've got to be honest, the walk is a bit of a plod.  There is nothing to break it up.  Usually, you will find a pub alongside a canal, but it is as though they forgot to add any to this one.  The Teetotal Cut.  Where did our thirsty mariners imbibe?

Once the caches run out, all I can do is count down the bridges until I reach the River Severn.

Two to Go

It hasn't helped that I have forgotten my water for this walk.  Sonia kindly points this out by sending me a text.  I wasn't thirsty until I received this.

Under the A449 - Getting Close to the River

Last lock before the River

Pick up the River but I still have some miles to go.  The sat nav is saying that I have completed 6.75 miles. The Plough seems no closer.

This is familiar walking to me and pleasant enough.  Horses, Cows, Rowers and Weirs.

Bevere Island

At last, I reach a place for refreshment - the Pump House in Worcester.  I know my destination is not too far away but a)  i need a drink and b) its still a bit early.

Not Always Beer for Mappiman

Thirst quenched, I head into Worcester - grabbing a quick cache.  I reach the pub at 11:51.

Nestled in the Shadow of the Cathedral

It doesn't open until 12pm.

Nothing else for it, I head off to get a cache outside the Guild Hall.  Muggle Central and I actually sign a petition before I sign the log.

Get back to the pub and its still closed.  Another season ticket holder of life's bountious bus of booze is queuing up as well.  He disappears, presumably to find a cache and I lurk around until the landlord comes with his jangling keys.

I don't want to seem too keen, so I give him all of a minute before making my entrance.  I comment that I deserve a prize for being the first in, and that prize is a pint of Malvern Hills Black Pear.  Very decent it is too.

History Today - How have I never been here before?

The pub is a simple place, with two rooms.  Probably hasn't changed in 100 years.  It slowly fills up - first off with Worcester Rugby Fans and then my early doors colleague comes back.

Turns out, he is some sort of journalist, interviewing Worcester's answer to Martin Scorsese.  I'll keep my eyes open for a film that is a cross between Munich, Eastern Promises and Get Carter.  I can only hope Jean Claude Van Damme is busy, as I am not sure he will add much.

Had to leave before eavesdropping on the other pitches - train to catch back to Droitwich at 12:51.