05/05/24 - Advanced Carvery Technique at The Lenchford Inn, Shrawley

Bluebells - The Rambler's Greatest Recruiter

Mappiman gets horticultural

The perfect conditions are required for Bluebells. Shade. Moist, well drained soil. Deciduous trees.

And everyone in the Wyre Forest knows that this is provided in abundance in Shrawley Woods.

Every walking meetup group and ramblers branch seems to be organising walks here. Cars abandoned on the B4196. Elderly folk in goretex with sticks risking life and limb by walking in the windy road with fast traffic. 

With the help of an OS Map, its easy to fashion a walk with a longer and safer walk in. And to have a Sunday carvery once the pretty flowers have been appraised.

The Lenchford is a Georgian Riverside hotel that has previously acted as commercial wharf and underwent a 2023 refurb. Just in time for the next floods.

A view from the water

A short road walk before heading through riverside meadows with sheep demonstrating the circle of life. Newborns frolic around the corpse of a dead elder. It may have been asleep but it hadn't moved an inch when we returned through the fields.  

We're through the mud and into the woods for an assault on the senses. Bluebells for the eyes and wild garlic for the nose.

Foraging with Mrs and Miss M

Agricultural Worcestershire in gaps through the woods

A fine walk. Now to see how much food we can balance on one plate. I've used AI to improve my technique;

• Arrive Early: If possible, arrive early when the carvery is freshly stocked with a variety of options. This ensures you have the widest selection to choose from before popular items run out.
• Survey the Selection: Before diving in, take a quick walk around the carvery station to assess all the available options. This allows you to plan your plate strategically and prioritize your favorite items.
• Choose Wisely: Select items that are more substantial and take up space on your plate. Opt for cuts of meat, such as roast beef or turkey, that offer generous portions. Consider pairing these with hearty sides like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or Yorkshire pudding.
• Layer Strategically: When loading your plate, start with larger items like meats and main dishes as a base layer. Then, strategically fill in the gaps with smaller items like salads or lighter sides. This helps create a visually appealing plate while maximizing the amount of food you can fit.
• Don't Overdo It: While the goal is to get the most food on your plate, be mindful not to overload it to the point where items start spilling over the edges. Aim for a balanced plate that's satisfying but still manageable to carry.
• Use Utensils Wisely: Use utensils provided to scoop and stack items neatly on your plate. This allows you to fit more food in an organized manner while minimizing mess.
• Be Polite and Patient: Remember to be considerate of others waiting in line behind you. Take only what you can eat and avoid wasting food.

Walk Details

Distance - 3.5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Self developed from the OS Map

Geocaches - 0