27/5/12 - That would be an ecumenical matter

Distance - 9 Miles
Caches - 4
Walk from - Julie Royle's Worcestershire Walks (She has spread her wings)

Llandinabo

British weather - you have to love it.  Two weeks ago, I was searching in my rucksack for gloves, having been blown on my backside in hurricane force winds on Ben Lomond.  Last week, Soft Shell firmly required, as I walked under gray Shropshire skies.  This weekend, I could have done it in my pants.

It seemed cruel to force my walking partner to do it in her fur coat - so the Labradoodle was allowed to slope off this morning, without me chasing her.  I also feared for the hot weather - so went as soon as I woke up to beat the midday sun.  Fortunately, a horny tomcat was bellowing the feline equivalent of "Come and get it" at 6am this morning.  As our windows were wide open, I was the only one that heard his love serenade.

Today's walk has been about churches and fine views of the English Countryside.

Park up at a layby on the A49 just north of Ross on Wye, 50 minutes after leaving home.  The walk gets off to a inauspicious start by completing a good couple of miles of lane walking.  Good news, is there are no vehicles.  First sign of civilisation is the surpisingly large church at church farm and the first cache at Higgens Well.

Farm with Huge Church

First cache if the day, at this well

The inscription on the well says that it was improved for Queen Vic's Diamond Jubilee - topical!

Then come back towards the A49 at ash farm.  Before reaching the road, I can hear the rumble of something dragged along the floor.  Turns out to be a couple of septuagenarians pulling along trolley cases like the family from the Fast Show.  The man is 30 yard in front of his wife and keeps turning around to say "Hurry Up".  Wonder where they are going on Hols?  Probably Hereford.

Drop down Tump Lane for some glorious views.... simply superb.  Then meet an unexpected museum dedicated to Violette Szabo, a french resistance fighter.  Links with this hamlet are that she used to stay with her cousin.

Enter the grounds of Mynde Park, with its fabulous house.  Great paths and a huge lake, complete with three caches.  Great walking and views.

Views into Wales from Mynde Park

Skate around the farmhouse, setting off the dogs and then a hearthumping climb up Orcop Hill.  This is in woodland, that offers some nice shade.  Once at the top, there is a cottage and a couple of other ramblers getting out their car.  The owner of the cottage is moving his car out and "wishes that the three of us find a decent pub" on our walk.  He then drives off looking smug in the knowledge that he has some terrific views out of his bungalow windows.

Orcop Hill - Owned by Mr Smug the Bungalow

Then we have grazing fields of sheep (well these were Rams.... I have to say, its a wonder they can walk.  Look suspiciously like they are sitting on furry spacehoppers) and then lanes.

The final highlight of the walk - and reason for being here - is the abandoned church at Llanwarne.  Genuinely, Llanwarne means Church in the Swamp - and due to the constant flooding, they gave up on St John the Baptists in 1864.  After walking past the new church (complete with full on hymn singing going on) you can investigate the ruins of the older one.

Church no More

Another half mile on lanes to get back to the car... all before the best of the Sun.  Stunning walk.