15/10/11 - Lickey, All Day Long

Distance - 5.3 Miles
Walking World
Caches - 3
The song that inspired the walk

Lickey Hills

Beautiful autumnal day, althought Sonia comments that "there is a bit of a nip in the air", as we load up to dog into a mist covered car.  We can see our breath... it won't be long before the scrapers is dug out.

I used to make this journey to Longbridge every day for a year in an elderly Mark 4 Escort with faulty heating.  In those days, I had never stopped to explore the views and great walking that is on offer.

I've walked here a number of times since getting the dog.  The first time was following a guide from "Short Walks from Worcestershire Pubs" which showed a picture of a magnificant castle.  On arrival, its more like a lego castle.  But it does have the sort of views that all generations of brummies need to be grateful to the Cadbury Family for making publically open.

As good a view as Parliament Hill in London

We head east on the North Worcestershire Path and rather than walking in the Lickeys, we are doing a circuit of Waseley Hills Country Park.   Cross the Rubery Expressway and pick up the paths that form an anticlockwise tour.

I came walking here about 2 months ago and I have picked up most of the caches that are present.  That means we can concentrate on admiring the ranging views in all directions and fight off the attentions of a woman trying to sell us a dog.  Soz Lady, we've already got one.

Stop, and someone will try and sell you something

Being in the country park does mean we can have a quick stop for supplies at the Visitor Centre.  I am sent in for water and come out with bonus cake.  Chapter 1, from my new book, "how to seduce women".

Back on route and we head around Chapman's Hill, take a bit of a wrong turn up it, and then through Chadwick Manor Estate.  We have to walk through a field of cows and calves.  They are all lying down (surely can't be expecting rain) and as we make our way through, they start to move.  The sensation can only be compared with cowboys making their way through the sacred indian burial grounds and you do not want to bring attention to yourselves.

A big dog takes us slightly off route and we go back under the A38 and find the first cache of the day.  This is part of a 11 series placed by the bailey rangers.  Having completed several of their other series in the past, I will have to come back to this neck of the woods again.

Having been walking seriously in Worcestershire for the last 8 years (since getting the doodle), I have walked these paths before.  As we head up someones drive on the edge of Beaconsfield, I am still filled with discomfort.  This isnt helped when they are all out doing the gardening and we have the rights to just march on through.  Still, they seemed friendly enough.

Sonia is starting to flag on the uphill climb through the woods.  I am off looking for the next two caches.

Done in, but its the last climb

Cross Beacon Lane.  Complain about a locked gate on a public footpath, only to find the stile next to it after we have all clambered over it.  A great path through the triffids.

Sweet.  Corn.

Back at Monument Lane and the car.  For a joke, I ask Sonia if she wants to run the last mile back.  Her complaints mean that I have undone all the good cake work.

Super Walk and just right for my lazy weekend.  If anyone wants me over the next couple of days, I am on the sofa with the remote control and the Times.