05/07/15 - The Short Way from Tipperary

Distance - 6 Miles
Geocaches - 3 Found, 1xDNF
Walk Inspiration
Pub - The Tipperary
Pint - Timothy Taylor Landlord


The monthly trip on the Millennium Way presents options.  We can go for a nine miler or a more sedate 6 miler.  Having the company of Mrs Mappiman means there was only ever one winner.

The short way from the Tipperary Pub it is.

Park up and head down a selection of curious paths that seem to run straight past the front door of a number of properties.   Signage is good, so there is no repeat of shouty residents that I have had on previous legs.

Walking gets more interesting as we enter Black Hill Wood.  Dense woodlands with ominous signs saying "Shooting in Progress - Don't Leave the Path".

Keep to the path

First geocache of the day as we leave the woods and a TB recovered to move on.

After following field edges, I look for inspiration.  The OS map shows "The Pleasance" written in ancient text but at ground level, there's nothing to suggest anything more than the bigging up of some rather unremarkable countryside.

All is revealed as we reach an information board near the GZ of my 1 DNF cache.  The Pleasance was a banqueting house built in 1414 by Henry V.  Closer inspection of the land reveals the earthworks that were the moat that surrounded it.  All was good here until Henry VIII, in an early attempt at recycling, had it demolished for materials to be used inside Kenilworth Castle.

That's why I love Britain.  A seemingly dull field just dripping in history.

Pleasance Earthworks

There is an architectural highlight that is still standing on this walk, Kenilworth Castle.  It looms over the countryside as we make our way past High House Farm.  The next leg of the MW takes me even closer to the ruins.

Looking forward to coming back to the MW next month

This is the turning back point of the walk and we have a series of crop fields to navigate to get us back for refreshments.  It's all pleasant enough but I'm not sure there is enough of interest to keep my walking partner amused.

As the sun has popped out, she is happy enough but things conspire to further improve her mood.

Sun Out, Striding on

We've often walked past people selling eggs in honesty boxes on our rambles but usually mid way through a walk or when we have no change with us.  At the end of the walk, we meet some chickens who have a rather splendid home.

6 Eggs for a Shiny Golden Nugget.  I can guess what breakfast is tomorrow.

Over the road from the ad-hoc chicken emporium is the Tipperary Pub.  Believe it or not, this pub was owned by the parents of the person who wrote "Its a long way to Tipperary", Harry Williams.

We're up for a snack and delighted when they are doing sandwiches on a Sunday lunchtime.  So often, we hit a pub that only does full roasts on a Sunday.

And to top it all, they only sell my favourite ale.

History.  6 Eggs.  Roast Beef sandwiches all round and a pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord.

What a lovely day.

Named after the 1912 marching song, who's composer lived here.

Liquid Perfection.  And Eggs.