14/04/17 - The Crown Inn, Newcastle on Clun

Distance - 7.25 Miles
Geocaches - 1
Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine, Spring 2017, Walk 9

Child number 1 comes home from Manchester and says words that we never thought we would hear.

"Can I come walking with you this weekend?"

The last time she came rambling with us she was 11 and threatened to call childline.  But now she has volunteered to do the three peaks challenge and needs to get some practice on the hills.

Out of the four walks planned this Easter, a 7 miler from Newcastle on Clun definitely has the most contour lines on the map.

We've not been to this Newcastle before.  Part of the ancient forest of Clun, with Offa's Dyke Path (ODP) running through the centre, its prime walking country.

We head out on Church Lane to pick up ODP.

Walk instructions say not to miss the middle pivoting Lynch Gate

Onto Offa's Dyke Path

The walk is introduced by saying its both the middle of the ODP and the middle of nowhere.  Its hard to disagree.  Signage details one fact and we don't see a single other human being on the entire walk.  On a bank holiday.  In great weather.  Where is everyone?

Got 88.5 Miles to go

This early stretch is a bit of a rollercoaster - several steep ups and downs and providing wonderful views back over Newcastle.  The would be mountaineer keeps us entertained with her comments and fear of sheep, at one point beautifully combined to ask "if they ever attack".  She won't let me take photos of her, but I had to sneak one on.  Just for her Nan.

Looking back over Newcastle

The Queen of Trafford Shopping Centre conquers another peak

Hergan hill provides the leaving point from the ODP.  But fear not, Long Distance Path Fans.  Not only do we pick up the Shropshire Way (official messiest county LDP in the land) but also Wild Edric's Way and the Bishops Castle Ring.  With walking as good as this, they are all going on the ever growing bucket list.

Three LDPs for the Price of one

Views East

The Proud Parents - hoping to get in a future issue of Country Walking Magazine

All too soon, the walk is over.  Lunch is taken on the grassy banks of a stream at the wonderfully named hamlet of Whitcott Keysett and road walking delivers us to the only Geocache of the day, Newcastle and the pub.

The Crown Inn is a perfect little village Inn.  Three rooms, one for dining, one for drinking and one for playing pool, it offered four real ales, served by a very chatty barman.

The Ludlow Gold was every bit as good as it looked.

First in, buys

LocALE

And the surprises just keep on coming.   My daughter asks where we are walking on Monday.