17/12/24 - The Old Swan, Minster Lovell

Myths and Ruins

Why walk along the River Windrush, when you can walk in it? The aftermath of Storm Darragh in full evidence on this short walk that packs plenty.

I'm here for two reasons;

Reason 1: A mercy mission to fetch a student in the final throes of his PHD for a permanent(?) return to Worcestershire. I am sure he will find another course to do before long.

Reason 2: Episode 5 of the Loremen Podcast is about the mystery of Minster Lovell. Surprisingly, a part of the Cotswolds previously unvisited. I love a good ruin.

Bonus Adventure Lab Cache at Minster Lovell Hall

The legend that made the Podcast;

Francis Lovell's story is intertwined with the Wars of the Roses, a series of dynastic conflicts in 15th-century England between the Houses of York (white rose) and Lancaster (red rose) vying for the throne. Lovell was a staunch supporter of the Yorkist King Richard III. After Richard's defeat and death at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, the Lancastrian Henry Tudor became King Henry VII. Two years later, Lovell participated in a Yorkist uprising that culminated in the Battle of Stoke Field. Following the Yorkist defeat there, Lovell vanished. Legend has it he returned to his estate, Minster Lovell Hall, and hid in a secret room, relying on a single servant for sustenance. When the servant died unexpectedly, Lovell was trapped and starved to death. Centuries later, during renovations, a vault was supposedly discovered containing a skeleton seated at a table with a dog's skeleton, believed to be the remains of the ill-fated Lord Lovell, forever linked to the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses.

A "doors open" Church requiring investigation.

Baron Lovell Effigy

Onward, for the walk.  An easy out and back along (and in) the River Windrush to Crawley.

River Windrush - not meat to be this wide.

Refreshment at the wonderfully evocative Old Swan. C15th, Grade I listed. I still find it an honour that for a tad over a fiver, I can sit in a Chesterfield armchair with a pint of North Cotswold Windrush Ale, completing their Times Sudoku Super Fiendish for as long as I like. Stone flagged floors and a huge fireplace. Gripes? Would have been nice to have the fire lit.

River lapping at the door

Even the rucksack gets a comfy chair

All set to pack the car to the rafters. What on earth does a student do with a string of industrial grade fairy lights? And when did he take up tennis?

Walk Details 

Distance - 4 Miles

Geocaches - 7 and an ALC

Walk Inspiration - Loremen Podcast and Jarrold Cotswold Walks, Walk 1

Previous Loremen Walks - Churchill, Burford, Long Compton, Swinbrook

16/12/24 - Sandwell Valley Country Park

Psycho-geography through Adventure Lab Caching

Mappiman taxi service in full swing this week. A mother that needs delivering to Digbeth Coach Station for a journey that will a) hopefully reach Plymouth, in the opposite direction and b) arrive by Christmas Day.

Where to walk? A couple of ALCs in Sandwell Valley Country Park and the adjoining Dartmouth Park.

Sandwell Valley Country Park is a 660 acre green space nestled between Birmingham and West Bromwich. It's a haven for nature lovers, offering a variety of activities like cycling, walking, and birdwatching. The park's rich history is intertwined with the ruins of Sandwell Priory, a 12th-century Benedictine monastery. This historic site, once a place of religious devotion, now stands as a reminder of the area's past.

Dartmouth Park, while not directly connected to Sandwell Valley, is another significant green space in the region. It's known for its beautiful gardens, playgrounds, and sports facilities. The park offers a peaceful escape from the bustling city, providing opportunities for relaxation and recreation.

The route between the various stages, rather meandering.

Information

Low Sun over Swan Pool

Remains of Sandwell Priory

Could have been a Desi Pub Lunch. But I have a Turkey Crown to collect. I kid you not, the BBE date is 22/12/24. 

With a price tag that has me agreeing with the Daily Mail article suggesting it is now acceptable to charge your Christmas day guests.

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles

Geocaches - 10 ALCs

15/12/24 - Mawgan Porth to St Mawgan

The Last of the Cornish Bargains

Final day in Mawgan Porth. We've walked the coast North. We've walked the coast South. Only option now is inland. But once again, we fail to find a circular walk.

This is a straight up, straight back following the River Menalyhyl. We head along roads, through woodland and along the river bank to find the hamlet of St Mawgan.

The Woodland trail to St Mawgan

St Mawgan Church

Twice blogged, never visited. It's 10am on a Sunday

A church, a pub (which we are too early for) and a choice of two cafes. We pick wisely, with Hawkey's cafe.

Old school, unspoiled and run by a genial Hullensian. A master baker and mean wielder of the frying pan.

Normally, not enough excitement to warrant a blog. Until I pay the bill. Two teas, a hot mince pie with cream, a slice of fruit cake and two home made sausage tolls for the 4 hour drive home.

A tenner.

We're tourists. They really should have seen us coming.

Walk Details

Distance - 4 Miles

Geocaches - 0

 

14/12/24 - Mawgan Porth to Waterbeach - and Back

No alternative to linear walking

Despite an extensive library of walking books, there's only a single route along this part of the South West Coast Path. That is a fully linear walk that runs from Newquay to Portcothan, where you catch the bus back.

There are no inland paths to make circular walks feasible.

We headed North yesterday, so it makes sense to head south towards Newquay. A mere 5 miles away, yet the return bus takes about an hour. We'll bail out at Watergate Beach, have a tea and sausage bap (tenner to tourists) and then retrace our steps. High cliffs around the inaccessible Beacon Cove. Geocaches placed just the wrong side of dangerous. Some sort of cross country race causing plenty of giving way on the narrow paths. The reward? Well Watergate Beach must surely be a contender for Britain's best. The views from the cafe bring a tear to your eye.

Here's the photos;

Mawgan Porth from the other side.

Beacon Cove

On the Cliffs over Watergate Beach

Down on the Beach

Walk Details

Distance - 6 Miles

Geocaches - 2