31/10/15 - Millennium Waterways

Walk Inspiration
Distance - 5 Miles
Geocaches - 8
Pub 1 - The Millwright Arms, Tribute
Pub 2 - The Roebuck, Warwick, Deuchars IPA

Leamington Spa attained it's Royal Prefix following a visit by Queen Victoria in 1838.  I am hoping that when Queen Elizabeth II takes her mobility scooter down the cut in 2018, sees the amount of dog poo, there is a right royal revoking.

It's everywhere.  Bad enough when it is left on footpaths but it really gets my goat when its wrapped up in bags and tied to trees.  At cache locations.  I'd like to say its as bad as I have ever seen but I have been to Telford.

Only the prospect of the oldest pub in Warwick and a Top 10 County walk can save this walk.

And it does.

It's the monthly trip on the Millennium way and only just squeezed into October on All Hallows day.  29 legs completed, 15 to go.

Park up in Leamington - a place that will be explored more in Leg 30.  Pick up the Grand Union Canal, the first waterway of the day.  It will take us into Warwick.

Grand Union Dog Poo Alley

There are a number of caches along this stretch but my heart is not in it for the reasons explained.

And wonder how such a genteel place can have such irresponsible dog owners.

So I get a march on, only for my walking partner to shout - no need to go so fast, the pub won't be open.

But she doesn't know the Millwright Arms, sneaking into the charts at number 10 in the top pubs in Warwickshire.

Open All Hours

It's 11:43am and packed to the rafters with gentlemen of leisure, perusing the racing papers.  I take my choice of the four real ales on offer and enquire what time they are open, having never seen such a busy pub before midday.

11am is the reply, but these buggers have been here since 10:30am.

Flexibility must have been one of the reasons it made the charts.  That and a sign that says "Please keep your dog off the seats".

Warm Enough to sit Outside

Sitting outside, we notice that there is a genuine Portuguese cafe next door but one.  Custard Tarts and Cornish Ale and its not even PM.

We move on, actually walking past another Top 10 pub (the Oak) to arrive at Warwick's Oldest.  This is visited for its heritage and the fact my walking partner had analysed Trip Advisor for the best place to eat (Portuguese Cafe's aside).

Warwick's Oldest

Scottish Ale in Warwickshire

It's Ok for a lunch stop - a touch "chainy" but decent enough food.  The preparations for Halloween have not stopped at putting cobwebs up on the wall.  There is an aged zombie, with trousers that don't meet his ankles, on his 2nd whisky of the morning.

With too many options for refreshment, it's time to move on - taking in a couple of the Warwick's sights.

Near the North Gate, at the Butts

Bloody ducks have ruined the symmetry of the Castle 

Simple task of picking up the River Avon to lead us back into Leamington Spa - which I am looking forward to exploring in November.

Gentle Walking back to Leamington