18/11/11 - Walk like a Victorian

Distance - 3.5 Miles
Geocaches - 2
Walk from - Pub Walks in Malvern
Post Walk Faggot Emporium - The Nags Head

North Malvern

The end of year joys of having some leave that needs to be taken.  A long weekend is in order, so that I get some relaxation before hitting the high spots of Nottingham.

Country Walking Magazine has an article on the best walkers pubs in the country and the Nags Head is featured.  Rocket has also been there and keeps banging on about why hasn't Stourport got an equally good pub.  There is only one way for me to find out if it deserves this reputation.

After waving the kids off to school (how do they like those apples?) we head off and park outside the pub.   A quick walk to Tank Quarry for one of the 2 geocaches on route and after a false start trying to find another, we have a very energetic climb up behind the clock tower.  Pain before Pleasure.  Sonia chunters on about how she hopes no old people have been fooled into thinking this short walk from a pub guide is an easy walk.

Breathing Point

We continue our way up, dissecting End Hills and North Hill.  Don't actually need to actually bag any of these hills, as the paths skirt the outside of the tops once the climb is made.  Having had great views to the East, we soon have great views to the west.

You can see Wales from here.

Having come near full circle around Table Hill, we pick up the gentle Lady Howard De Walden Drive.  Nice path - named after one of the Victorians who used to enthuse about the heath benefits of the Malverns.  We are in agreement now that we are gently zig zaging our way down the hills on this path, thinking ourselves lucky that we don't have to climb to the Beacon.

Avoiding the high spot today.

Far too quickly, we are back at the pub.  Its 11:50 and our slight concerns about having to queue up like tramps outside a wetherspoons are soon dispelled, as we see it opens ay 11am.

Banished to the tent, as Molly would have attacked the house dog.

And it is a good pub, frequented by posh people drinking whiskies at midday.  Well, if you have the money and the time.  First decision is which of the 10 or so real ales to have.  Bathams all the way.  Sonia has some Swedish Pear Cider that is a great way for getting your kids into the joys of alcohol.  Its tastes more like pop than pop and is highly recommended for early weaning. 

Food is great and to go with my black country pint, we have black country's only addition to cuisine, faggots.  Its far too early for the working classes to start on their selection of interesting whiskies.

Back home for blogging, logging and some French Cinema.  When I retire, all days will be like this.