Final Thoughts - 3 Choirs Way, 2021

 

It's the day after (actually it’s not because I forgot to press the publish button!!) my six day walk between the three cathedrals of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester. 

This morning I allowed myself a lie-in, I didn't get up until 7.30am!!

Although Denise had been to the Severn Heights Nursing Home garden every day over the last week she decided to go again today. I thought I'd go with her & then drive on to meet some of my walking group on the Malverns. 

Rather than just lazing about Denise decided I could help her move another railway sleeper to keep soil back. I say help . . . it involves me guiding one end of the sleeper while she first lumps & lifts it onto the wheelbarrow & then trundles the barrow down to the bottom of the walled garden. I assure you that it's 98% effort from Denise & 2% hindrance from me!

After my exhausting effort I drove up to Sally's Place, the lovely kiosk at British Camp by the Herefordshire Beacon where I met five of my ex-WRAC walking group. Over coffee, & in my case a delicious bacon & egg bap, we caught up with the gossip before they headed off on a circuit of the hills whilst I got back in the car & headed back to the peace & tranquility of the walled garden. A small part of me wished I'd been joining the walk . . . a very small part!

So here I am, sitting on a comfy chair in the sunshine, contemplating this year's Walking Challenge. Best bits, worst bits, funniest bits and most annoying bits! 

First of all, despite all the moans and rants that appear, hot off the press, on my daily Blog, I really do enjoy my walks.

I started all this eight years ago when I'd been given the all clear after my first brush with Breast Cancer. I had struggled with putting on weight and, more seriously, mental health caused by a loss of control over my life partly due to the diagnosis & treatment for cancer. Coming out the other side of treatment can give you a love for life and a thankfulness that you've survived. It gave me a need to 'pay-back' for the quality of life I'd been given. In my case to say 'Thank-you' to Cancer Research, the Worcestershire Breast Care Unit, St Richard's Hospice & the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association for the physical and mental support they gave me. So my Annual 100 Mile Charity Walking Challenge started back in 2014.

Anyway, back to this year. 

Best of all was the sheer pleasure of walking in the wonderful English Spring countryside. The beautiful landscapes, a rural idyll with its rivers & streams, pastures, hedgerows, woods & fields.

The variety of flora & fauna that I came across all seemingly bursting with the joy of spring.

The fabulous patchwork of fields in varieties of brown, yellow & green.

The continuous exuberant chirping of birds celebrating the glorious weather. It definitely gives me that "Great to be alive" feeling. 

Close contenders for Best Bits was firstly meeting my wife, her sister & brother-in-law for coffee on Day 1 in Malvern before climbing to the top of the Worcestershire Beacon or . . . .

. . . . secondly being met by my friends with a picnic (including beer and a comfy picnic chair!) at lunchtime on Day 6.

Worst bit I'm afraid was the walk from Hampton Bishop to Hereford Cathedral on Day 4.

I was asked today why it made me so cross.

I think it was a combination of it being hot, a very poorly marked pathway to start that put me a good half-mile from the true path and then having to tramp across acres of potato drills all earthed up.

This was followed by the narrowest of pavements beside the long, boring, traffic-laden major road into the centre of Hereford. My poor Denise bore the brunt of my chuntering!!

Close contender for either the worst or scariest/daftest bits -  the COOOS!! (cows) 

It didn't seem to matter where I was or how far away I was they saw me and came enthusiastically to investigate!

My friend David, an ex- farm manager, said that it took some nerve to stand ones ground.

"They will slide to a halt," he assured me.

I'm afraid I will never be brave enough to put that to the test!!

Actually, cows quietly grazing or with their young weren't the problem. They were docile enough so long as I gave them a wide enough berth.

It was the young heffers & bullocks, away from mums and all herded together. Frisky & with herd mentality - reminded me of  army training for crowd control in BAOR with 29 Company, WRAC!!!!

I'm not sure there were any proper funny bits this year but there were certainly some inspirational moments. On two separate days I met two different pairs of women walking dogs. As one does we got chatting and it transpired that one lady from each of the groups had had a kidney removed due to cancer. One 3 years ago and the other 13 years previously. Both looked extremely fit and healthy, each enjoying their walking and the joys of spring. I found that very heartening and inspirational.

Most annoying thing had to be my lockdown hair!! Sadly I was unable to get a hair appointment till the week after my walk so my lockdown-locks were flowing freely.

For most of the week that meant hair blowing across my face and me sprouting wings around my ears where my unruly curls sprang in all directions. 

My hair is so long that, for the first time since I was about 10 years old, I could tie it up at the back - not that it would have done any good!!

It was really irritating!

I would like to thank the one person who makes all these walks possible; my lovely, understanding, patient wife Denise.

I would also like to thank all my family, friends, acquaintances and folk who don't even know me for their support this year and often over the past eight years. 

My Virgin Money Giving Page is still open for anyone who wishes to donate to my two charities. I assure you that all other expenses I incur are covered by myself. The link is:

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretDaviesWRAC

So, another year older and I still haven't done my Scotland walk. I planned it for 2020 then again for this year. Maybe next year, 2022, I'll finally get to walk the Great Glen Way!!

Day 6 - Three Choirs Way - Final Day

 Munderfield Row to Worcester Cathedral

It's finished. I'm sitting in a comfy chair in the sun drinking a cold beer. My ancient "gardening" boots are off and my poor, sore feet are enjoying some fresh air & freedom!! 100 miles completed!! 

I seem fortunate to always pick a week of fine weather for these annual walks. I've now put a jinks on all future walks!! Yes - there will be one next year!!

The day started beautifully sunny again but with a bitingly cold northerly wind that made me keep my fleece on up to lunchtime.

I knew that today was going to be long with some climbs and it was a  bit up and down across the valleys from Munderfield to Suckley. 

It was typically beautiful English countryside with rolling hills, lush grassland, the bleating of sheep and a whole chorus of birdsong . . .

. . . but I still had around 18 miles to cover!!

You will almost as pleased as I was to know that no cows were encountered today.

The only ones I saw were on the other side of a very sturdy hedge & gate next to a lane I was walking down. 

There were loads of birds, particularly skylarks over the fields.

I also saw a buzzard up close & personal but no Red Kites though I was told they are about not far from Knightwick.

I did come across some rather unusual animals at Knightwick Manor. I first spied them in the distance as I made my way down through the woods and onto the road.

I couldn't believe my eyes. As I came closer I realised that I was correct - the very high fences confirmed it - there was a herd of deer!!

I suspect they are bound for the venison shelves in supermarkets!

After a very pleasant and not too strenuous (apart from walking about 10 miles!!) mornings "amble" I made my way down to the Surgery at Knightwick where my friends, Paul & Joan kindly met me with a picnic.

Ever thoughtful they had even provided chairs for these aged bones!! Denise had said this morning that if the brought a picnic rug they'd need to be strong enough to haul me upright again after lunch!! Cheeky!!

We dined on Spicy Chicken wraps, Chocolate Caramel Brownies AND Lemon Drizzle cake all washed down with a very acceptable bottle of The Hop Sheds Amber Ale, Wyberton (all their beers are named after chickens because the brewery is in an old chicken shed!!

I took my leave of Paul & Joan and set off again towards Worcester.

The actual Three Choirs Way climbs up & then down Ankerdine Hill.with a summit 490ft high . . . and then back down!!

I knew there was an easier way.

There was, beside the River Teme to Broadwas and then back up the lanes to Broad Green and so back on the Three Choirs Way. The mileage is about the same but it was a lot kinder on my feet, knees and legs!!

From Broad Green it was a comparatively easy, flat (ish!) walk across the fields to Broadheath which was Edward Elgar's birthplace and has a NT museum (his family home) dedicated to his life & works. I was going to take a photo but Denise rang me so I passed it without stopping!!. 

It wasn't long before I crested the hill by Oldbury Farm and got my first glimpse of the Cathedral.

I walked down past the University and down further to the river. That was the long bit I was comparing to the approach to Hereford on Friday. Boring but wider pavements and less traffic. 

I crossed Worcester Bridge, made my way up Copenhagen Street, past all the folks enjoying their picnics beside the River Severn.

I turned along Deansway catching site of the Cathedral again.

As I rounded the corner opposite Cathedral Square I saw Denise waiting for me by the War Memorials. 

I HAD MADE IT!! 

Today I completed 17.3 miles.

That gives me a grand total of 100.3 miles for the complete Three Choirs Way!!

And now . . . food, rest & another cold beer.

My grateful thanks in particular to my wonderful wife, Denise, without whom none of this would be possible.

Also a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me again this year either with emails, messages and donations to my two charities; the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association who is the only charity supporting all females who served or are still serving in the British Army; Cancer Research UK who fund vital research into cancer and its treatments, saving lives like my own.

If you would like to sponsor me via my Virgin Money Giving page please follow this link:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretDaviesWRAC

Day 5 - Three Choirs Way

 Hereford Cathedral to Munderfield Row

(Actually Lugwardine to Munderfield Row)

After yesterday's unhappy ending, walking into Hereford along a main road and then seeing the nightmare traffic as we tried to drive out of Hereford, I decided that it would be more sensible to start from Lugwardine, at the end of the main route out.

My old boots &
Soggy Bottoms!!

The day was very pleasant. Sunshine, a cooling breeze with cattle-free fields and quiet country lanes for the most part.

The fields were wet with the early morning dew. So much so that not only were my boots wet but also the bottoms of my trousers. I'd changed from my 'technical' showerproof trousers to a cooler, cotten pair. 

Talking of boots I have, over the last two days, reverted to wearing my old boots that had been consigned to "Gardening Clobber". I have two other, newer pairs both of which seemed designed for daintier tootsies than mine. Only this ancient pair of the original Brasher boots seem to give my toes enough room. The blisters that I have on my toes were caused on the first two days by the two pairs of newer boots. They're fine for a 6-8 mile walk but any further & they rip my toes to shreds!!

Anyway - back to the walking!!

I'm glad that I didn't leave my walk till any later in the year as some of the paths were beginning to get very overgrown!! From Lugwardine my path went to Withington, across the main road to Worcester and then snaked via lanes, farm tracks by the wonderfully named Thing-hill Court, animal free fields to Ocle Pychard where I met two lovely ladies walking lovely, quiet dog! We got chatting and it transpired that one lady had had a kidney removed 13 years ago. We both agreed that she looked very well on it. There's hope for all of us. 

A little further on I crossed another main road, the A417 Burley Gate to Newtown/York hill crossroads. Then it was another farm lane and fields before arriving at Much Cowardine church.

The medieval church stands on a sloping hillside looking across farm fields in the Loddon valley. There is apparently a plaque inside the church celebrating Edward Elgar's connection to the village. There was a wonderfully comfortable  bench outside the church where I had my lunch.

It was lovely, lying full stretch in the sunshine, listening to the calls & songs of so many different birds, not even the buzz of traffic to disturb the serenity. So lovely that I found it quite difficult to put my backpack on and head off again!!

The name 'Cowarne' comes from a Saxon word meaning a centre for dairy farming, or more prosaically, a cowshed! I passed a modern version on my way out of the hamlet!

I turned off the lane and meandered through a Christmas Tree plantation before crossing more fields to arrive at the messiest farm I've seen in a while; it was well named Hope's Rough Farm. Boy was it rough!! 

Up till then I had been travelling roughly northeast. Suddenly it changed direction!! Northwest!! Going away from home? That didn't seem right!! All to avoid climbing up & over the hills around the Hopton area!!

None the worse for my fall, 
overlooking Stoke Lacy

After a seemingly endless detour towards Stoke Lacy passing orchards left & right the path swung back round to its original northeastern direction!

Not before dumping me unceremoniously on the ground trying to climb over a fence that a house owner had put across the path!! It was a metal stock fence with no means of opening. Too flimsy to climb on and I could only just stride it on tippy-toe!! In swinging my other leg over whilst balancing on my toe I lost my balance and went "Ace over Titty-Bogel"

Nothing hurt except my pride but the air was blue for a while!!

They're there!!
In the gap through the hedge!!

I continued on my way skirting the hill but climbing gradually all the time till I reached Stoke Lane. I continued along the lane until I came to a fork in the path.

Left across the fields to Mundersfield Row or right down the lane to Mundersfield Stocks & then up the B4214 to Mundersfield Row?

I started down the pathway . . . . and heard cattle lowing!!

I spied something in the distance so beat a hasty retreat & continued down the lane!!

I wasn't in the mood for any cattle encounters!!

So I didn't walk as much today, only 13.2 miles, as I'd started from Lugwardine.

That makes a total of close to 83 miles to date.

Long day to finish tomorrow at Worcester!!

Day 4 - Three Choirs Way

 Kempley to Hereford Cathedral

A glorious day was forecast and it certainly proved so although there was  bit of frosty dew on the fields as I left Kempley and headed towards Much Marcle.

No pub today or coffee at the Cider Mill.

Too early as well as my route was a bit to the west.

It was a long climb up towards the Radio Mast with my only dilemma whether to take the road as our walking usually does or take the route across the fields. I chose the fields.

The route was better marked than yesterday (I was in Herefordshire for the most part!!) but some of the stiles were "challenging" to say the least.

I must commend most Herefordshire farmers for keeping well marked paths; even without a Gizmo the path was usually clear and well trodden.

The one absolute positive for the day was that there were no coos!!

Well, OK, a few happily munching on some  hay in a barn - just how I like them!!

I also had a pleasant saunter through Haugh's Wood.

I am glad that my walking group didn't attempt it on Monday, the climb would have been pretty long & steep.

Fortunately I was mostly descending today though it was a bit hard on the old knees.

I was so enjoying my wandering through the woods, listening to the birdsong and revelling in the sunshine & peacefulness, that I switched brain off and ended up a bit off course.

I was surrounded by thick forest - Oops!!

Best retrace steps, which I did & got onto the correct path down to Mordiford. 

It was a bit of a tight squeeze as the road through the village and across the bridges are very narrow and the traffic is not that kind!!

I retraced some of the walk we did on Monday beside the River Lugg.

I looked at my gizmo and saw that I'd done about 11 miles so thought I'd stop for lunch.

In my head I was almost there.

In reality it was almost 2 hours of the most boring, energy-sapping walking I can remember doing!!

I know that my walk into Worcedter on Sunday is going to be long and tedious but at least it's beside either quieter roads or on a raised levee footpath enjoying the river. 

It wasn't helped that from the lay-by at Hampton Bishop (no I didn't go back to the Bunch of Carrots pub!!) the pathway rapidly moved away from the River Wye and got lost in the only huge field crop that hadn't sprayed a path!!

It then continued for a further two massive fields set with potatoes.

By this time I was losing the will to live!!

I crossed this desert (well it was certainly sandy & hot enough) with ill-grace.

I was tired & probably in need of chocolate!! 

Never mind. Not long. Nearly there!

Then came the road into the city. Lovely houses and Hampton Park is obviously a very nice place to live.

For a walker it's a nightmare. Busy road, single narrow pavement and the road goes on & on!! 

I was a hot, cross bunny!!

Under the railway bridge & I could get some respite by tacking the cycle route along the quieter backroads.

The signpost said 1 mile.

I walked on, down several streets and came to another signpost.

It still said 1 mile!!

Eventually I ended up by the castle grounds and from there, past the school finally to the cathedral where Denise was waiting. 

As you can see from the photo I was tired & grumpy!!

Poor Denise, after coming all that way, all she got was me snapping as she snapped the photo!! 

Never mind another 16.7 miles completed (It said 17 miles when I stopped it - it obviously deducted some for bad behaviour!!

Two thirds walked.

Another Cathedral to tick off.

69miles walked in total so far.

Another day tomorrow.

I suspect its going to be a bit hilly!!