06/04/15 - Beauty Everywhere

Distance - 7.91 Miles
Geocaches - 6
Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine - Feb 1992

The unexpected answer to the question posed by my walking partner to where we heading today was Walsall.

"Why not somewhere nice, like the Cotswolds?" was the response.  My assurance that there is beauty everywhere was met with a curt "Not in bloody Walsall there isn't".

There's a couple of reasons for me to be heading the urban sprawl of the West Midlands.  1)  I looking through some (very) old Country Walking Magazinse and this was featured in a 23 year old edition.  I love eBay.  2)  The number 1 pub in the West Midlands is in Walsall and it needs checking out.

We park up at Barr Beacon, one of the highest spots in the West Midlands but cannot see any views because of the fog.  We hope these have lifted by the time we return.

The route follows the Beacon Way in part and we follow the signposts downhill to the Church at Great Barr.

The Beacon Way

St Margaret's, Great Barr

The first pocket of woodland, Merrion's Wood, is traversed.  Great paths, through woodland and we soon forget our proximity to the City.  We really could be anywhere, even the Cotswolds.

First of three Nature Reserves

This brings us to the Rushall Canal for some dead straight and dead level walking.  I'm not usually a big fan of canal walks but this is well maintained.  No shopping trolley wheels poking out the water or the flotsam of a 1000 Tyskie lager cans.

Rushall Canal - Very Pleasant

All but two of today's geocaches are along this stretch and we make a good job of finding them.  By the time we reach our turn off at Rushall Top Lock, Sonia has designs on a nice tea shop.  There isn't one of them, but there is a mobile cafe in a portacabin.  I make my move to the window but instantly met with "We're closed for Cleaning Bab".

Sonia will have to wait until the best pub in the West Midlands for refreshments.

Stomping off to a very clean Portacabin

As soon as we leave the canal, we are back in another Nature Reserve - Hayhead Wood quickly merging into Cuckoo's Nook.  Both proper woodlands with superbly maintained paths.

Yes, this is Walsall

Perfect Walking Country

The ascent back to Barr Beacon is that gradual that we didn't notice we were climbing.  Before we know it, we are on the edge of the park, with just one lane to navigate.

Sonia made me stand here - No idea why.

Up on the ridge and past the reservoirs for superb views.  I take a look at the War Memorial before I hear a cry of "Ice Cream", as Sonia spots the Mr Softee Van.  I know how to treat a lady.

Barr Beacon War Memorial

Wolverhampton is down there, somewhere.

Ice Creams consumed - it's a short drive to check out the Black Country Arms in the Centre of Walsall.  Even get to park up for free, as its a bank holiday.

10 Real Ales on - all with a little pot showing the colour of the beer.  Sonia thinks they look like samples for people with different degrees of bladder infections.  That lady sure knows how to kill a mood.

Bonus Geocache right outside

Nothing medical looking about this Wellingtonian

Hats off to Walsall Council - some great paths and a walk that even surpassed my expectations.

Next week's blog from Upper Gornal.