17/12/11 - Walking in a Kinver Wonderland

Miles - 4.7
Caches - 5/9 (Not the best return from a days caching)
Inspiration From - Les Lumsdon and his simply superb Staffordshire Walks

Kinver

Christmas is upon us, so walking has to be limited to local locations, as I have the choice of parties and xmas drinks to partake in today.  Look through some local walking books and Les is bigging up Staffordshire.  He has a route from Kinver that does not take you to the Edge, but eastwards out to Gibbet Wood.  There are a number of caches out this way, and as my December total stands at a pathetic 3, it doesn't take me long to pick this one.

Meander through the crazy traffic calming that is Kinver high street and park up for free in the Shopper's car park.  Walk back through town and go for the first cache, at a pub with a unique proposition.  Can't imagine they have too many laughs in there.

Molly won't look at the Well of Misery

Down the lane for the cache, over the canal and then along a track called "Gibraltar".  Gain some height and have some nice views over the canal and to the Church that overlooks the village.

At Dunsley house, we have a number of fields to cross, all with their dog friendly stiles that make it easy for Molly to navigate.  No hoiking her over unceremonously today.  You can develop pancreatic cancer by doing that.

Fields, just outside of Kinver

Cross the A449 and work out that Severn Trent Water have moved all the footpaths to make a poo farm.  This goes someway of explaining why the route and caches didn't match the OS map.

A couple of caches up alongside the woods.  These are part of a Battlestar Galactica themed trail, but I am only picking up a couple on my route.

Not long before leaving the foods, taking a new path alongside STW's farm and working my way back to the A449 at the Whittington pub.  The footpath is throught the pub carpark and leads to one of those little hamlets that are off the beaten path and splendid for their isolation.

We've all lived there.

Meet the canal, for an easy return to Kinver.  This is a nice stretch of walking, although I have no joy with any of the caches along here.  Too many people, too vague a clue for me.

Nicest lock keepers cottage in Staffs

Come back into Kinver.  The pub near the car park has a group of 6 men drinking on the table out front, and my temptation to join is stopped in its tracks by the fact that they haven't yet opened.  These hardy fellows are drinking out of carrier bags.  It's that time of year.

I get back home and like Santa, arrive with Potatoe based delights for all the family that mean any indescretions from my afternoon in the pub should instantly be forgiven.