Day 4 Thursday 26th March 2020

After seeing all the traffic yesterday, particularly cars, on my walk to Callow End and back, today I was contemplating driving to Hollybush at the southern end of the Malvern Hills. My intention was to park up in the car park and do a figure of eight walk on this quieter side of the hills. Probably taking in the Iron Age fort at Holybush, the Obelisk at Eastnor and then cutting back to circumnavigate Ragged Stone Hill and possibly Chase End Hill. As I say, that was my intention but,  . . . . after a lot of tossing, turning and thinking overnight I decided that I would obey the letter of the law, leave my car at home and walk from my front doorstep again. 

Being a city (all be it a small one that feels more like a large market town), there are a fair few folks trying to keep fit! The earlier the better as far as avoiding people is concerned so this morning I set off at 0645!!


Even so, having decided that I would take in the city riverscape first, there were a few others doing the same, mostly runners and cyclists. We all kept our safe distances and generally gave a cheery "Good Morning" as we passed. 

I followed the Severn Way northwards heading out of the city towards the village of Hallow. It was another glorious day if a little chilly. Although I had passed or seen half a dozen people on the city 'centre' paths, once I was level with (but on the opposite side of) the racecourse I was on my own. Solitary splendour; just how I like my walks (WRAC Hereford Branch Walking Group no offence!!). 


The path wound through scrub woodland that had until recently been submerged in weeks of flooding. Considering the deluge that we had experienced over the last couple of months I was surprised that the path was so good.

It was a bit soggy in patches but all the footbridges were intact and I only came across one fallen tree semi-blocking the path. I required some clambering to overcome this obstacle. I think my days of tree climbing are long gone.



Yet again today my Activity App had decided I was too sloth-like. I'd travelled around 3 miles but the App showed only 0.04mls. It's getting worse!! 

I switched it off & on; shook it (that brilliant technical move!!); told it I was hiking and then put it in my pocket and hoped for the best!

The path that I wanted to take veered away from the Severn Way and the River Severn itself and headed towards the village of Hallow. Hallow has a 'stonking' great church which is evidence that it must have been a very rich estate and probably a very lucrative 'living' for some clergymen.

The only problem about coming away from the river is that it always involves a climb. This path was no exception, a stairway to heaven!! 


I met my first walker halfway up the steps. I didn't hesitate in stepping off the path to allow her to pass at a safe distance. To be truthful, I was glad of the break in climbing. We passed the time of day and marveled at our fortune with the weather. 


Once at the top it was but a short walk to and across the main road and down the other side of the village to reach the minor road leading to the next village. There was a path across farmland that might have sufficed but the "coos" from yesterday were still fresh in my mind so I stuck to the road.

The road led to a lane and the lane to a path through and around the village of Lower Broadheath. In all this time of walking I had met one other walker and a couple of cyclists. I'd also managed to stay off the busier roads. 


The final bit of my outward leg was across Broadheath Common a wide, open kind of large village green. 


It was deserted apart from the many cars & vans on the roads skirting it.

Finally I started to head home along the Three Choirs Way. 


This part of the Way is from Hereford to Worcester and it passes the birthplace of the composer most associated with the Three Choirs Festivals, Edward Elgar. 


The House has fairly recently been purchased and refurbished by the National Trust. 

Apart from the original house it also has a large Visitor Centre (with cafe when its open) 

The Three Choirs Way winds between Elgar's family home and the new Centre. 

This first part of the Three Choirs Way, up to the crest of Atchen Hill, was very boggy so yet again I got muddy boots! I decided to stop for a break and some refreshment halfway down the other side of the hill in the sunlight. I mused on how idyllic it all was (corona virus not withstanding) sitting in the sun, munching on a homemade wrap (easier to eat and transport than sandwiches), listening to the sounds of nature and the farm machinery working away in the distance. My rest over (& I'd finished my food!) so I headed onwards cresting another small hill until I could see Worcester sprawled out before me. I was within a mile of the city limits. The path was narrower as I looked to start my descent. Coming up the hill towards me were two couples each a safe distance apart. I waited (it seemed like an age!) till the first couple passed with their equally slow moving dog. And then, a few moments later, the second couple passed. They remarked on how fit and lean we were all going to be at the end of this mayhem! Once they had passed I continued my way down hill towards so called civilisation . . . . and people.

I managed to avoid most people by crossing to the other side of the street or taking lesser paths and roads until I finally reached home again having solo walked a 'tidy' 12.5 miles. 

Over half of my intended 100 miles completed. Let's hope the weather holds a bit longer. At this rate it's going to take me another 5 to 6 days to reach target - always providing we don't end up in lockdown.

No flowers today so here's one I took earlier!! 

Day 3 Wednesday 25th March 2020

Another glorious day for walking. I'm so glad I brought the start date forward. As I, of necessity, have walked some parts day after day it's been fascinating to see nature literally "Spring" into life. We were up fairly early and Denise dropped me off just on the Worcester side of Powick village on her way to work on the 'Allotment" (or garden) at St Cloud Care Home, Callow End.

I walked up through the churchyard and out onto the fields beyond heading towards my turn-around point on The Old Hills, just outside Callow End.

The peace and quiet that people talk about since this Covid-19 took hold is not apparent on my particular walks, probably because I'm too close to still busy main roads. It is true that I notice and appreciate more birdsong than normal but the Police & Ambulance sirens, the roar of motorbikes and the thrum of heavy goods vehicles still fill the air. As I start my walks so early there are very few people out and about other than in vehicles. So I really am Solo Walking most of the time.

It wasn't long before I caught up with the Three Choirs Way, a route that connects the three cathedral cities of Worcester, Hereford and Gloucester. 


This particular stretch goes from Worcester Elgar Statue towards where Edward Elgar is buried at St Wulstan's Church, Little Malvern.

In Callow end, at the corner of Jennet Tree Lane, I walked past Stanbrook Abbey which, until recently, was a Monastery (or should that be Nunnery?), but now is a rather swish hotel. I continued along the Three Choirs Way my climb rewarded with views of Worcester to the north of me and Malvern t the south-west. I continued  downwards again and onwards to the Old Hills. Not sure why they're called that, could it be that they pre-date the 'new' Malvern Hills? Sorry, that kind of geography didn't come into my Key Stage 2 teaching!

 

The climb up to the top of the Old Hills wasn't too difficult just hampered a bit by the still soggy and boggy ground, particularly where it had been churned up by horses. The views from the top were wonderful, Worcester, the Malverns and Powick old Mental Hospital which is now part of a new housing estate.

I walked across the still busy road and up through the woods until I reached St Cloud to have my morning break sitting in the sun with Denise. I checked my Satmap 3.5 miles.


This part of the walk had taken me over an hour and during that time I had seen 1 person to hail from a distance and 2 more in the far distance walking their dogs.


Break over I headed back the way that I had come. There were a few more cars parked and I saw a mother & two children enjoying the spring sunshine. Obviously the other car occupants were off walking their dogs but I didn't see them. 

On my way back to Worcester I walked past fields that were being prepared for planting. I assumed by the shape of the furrows that they were awaiting asparagus plants. 

I do wonder who is going to plant crops as I'm sure that many foreign farm-workers have returned to their home countries. Are we Brits going to fill the gap? 

My thoughts and thanks go to the farmers who are working so hard to keep things going.

I was very pleased to find a sunny bench in Powick churchyard where I could have a brief rest and put my feet up for a moment of two. I wish I knew more about birdsong. I have found over the last few days that I can hear and enjoy their songs but I can rarely see them. Even if I do spy them perched in the budding branches I struggle to identify more than the common few that I know. 

I decided to check my Activity App and see how I was doing. 
Major Tech Fail again!! 


It was registering 0.4mls and that was after I had walked at least 6.5 miles. Glad I wasn't relying on it today!!


The route from Powick to my home could have been done on the main road but that would not have been very pleasant. Some road work is inevitable but I try to get onto paths across or beside fields where possible. so, once I had traversed Powick roundabout I took to Monarch's Way again in the hope that I could follow the Severn to within a half mile of home. 

The first problem occurred - cows! Inquisitive cows!! VERY inquisitive cows. At one point I was surrounded - but I just kept moving (moo-ving?), calmly, talking gently to them as I headed for the gate. 
I didn't turn round till I was safely through, my heart pounding and my knees definitely shaking!!


A bit of light relief after that scarey moment was when I found a football. A proper, almost fully inflated, leather football. It must have been a victim of the recent floods. I kicked it along the path for a while until I came upon a couple and their two dogs. I suggested they might like the ball which they thought their dogs might shred in minutes. I left it, with their agreement, as they were curious to see what the dogs would do!! I wonder.

It was lunchtime when I got within a mile of home and the second problem cropped up. There were many more people, singly or in two's, out for their daily exercise. 


I decided to leave the river and wound my way through the backstreets, seeing far fewer people, until I reached the safety of home. 


A good days walk and another 11.5 miles completed; that makes a total of around 40 miles in 3 days! 

Thank the good Lord for this brilliant weather.

And thank you to my nephews for not drinking too much beer last time you came round!! Cheers!!

Day 2 Tuesday 24th March 2020

Well the Prime Minister's directive last night has put a slightly different slant on things. Denise and I have to remain socially isolated (we've already been doing this). Only one of us will be doing any shopping about once a week so little change there, just not going together. At the moment neither of us has any call upon any part of our health service although I'm sure my future dental appointment will be cancelled. 
The 'interesting' ones are the exercise and no unnecessary journeys. Once a day walking, running, cycling or going to the allotment allowed. My brother & sister-in-law (in their 70's) have been taking their car to a secluded spot and then walking because where they live has busy roads and lots of people. Is that an unnecessary journey?
So where does that put me and my walk? My form of exercise is and always has been walking. Denise prefers gyms (not allowed) and gardening.

 
Not just her own garden but she volunteers for two healthcare gardens, Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven and, more recently, St Cloud Nursing Home. The work that she does outdoors brings great comfort and pleasure to patients and residents. Are either of these unnecessary journeys? If she is allowed to journey there and I tag along for the ride can I then walk back home?

Needs thinking about. I'll let you know what I decide . . . . or what is decided for me!!


One of my main reasons for doing this walk right now is that my cousin (who I used to walk out and about in her pram when she was a baby and I was about 8!) was due to go into the  Royal London Hospital for a cancer operation today but its been cancelled. I had dedicated this year's walk to her for her speedy recovery and return to good health. She is one of many family and friends who are going through cancer at the moment and I know how that feels.

Walking in isolation

Today I went out for my one walk at 0745 this morning in the hope that there were not too many other people doing the same. It was another cool but sunny morning as I headed from home back along the Monarch's Way towards Powick Bridge again. 
I have decided that I'd give you another bit of history of the area. 

Firstly I was able to overlook the confluence of the Rivers Severn and Teme today. Yesterday there was a young lady enjoying the peace and quiet so I let it be. 

Probable site of Boat Bridge
across the River Severn

Today I was able to stand and picture in front of me the bridge of boats that Cromwell had strung across the Severn. This was the tactic that won the battle, his ability to move his troops rapidly from the eastern side of Worcester (Red Hill and Fort Royal) to  the western side at Powick and to repel the Royalist at both Fort Royal and those advancing from St John's.



I continued my journey beside the Teme tramping through the early morning wet grass.

I noticed that my walking boots appeared to shine in the sunlight as if I had "bulled" them for some ceremony.


I hadn't! It was just the dew glistening.


And so it was back to Powick Bridge again (the site of the first skirmish of the Civil War)

This time I was concentrating on Powick Mills on the western side of the bridge.It is thought that there have been mills on this site since Medieval times. They used water power, initially from Laughern Brook and later, more reliably by diverting part of the Teme. 

In the 18th Century it became an Iron Forge where pig iron was brought in by boat, heated in furnaces and hammered using water power. Later a rolling mill was developed which squashed the bars into sheets again using water power. 

The same technology was also used to crush material for the Worcester Porcelain factory.

In 1894 a hydro electric power station was built on the site. At the time it was the largest one in Britain and the first one built by a local authority.



This is the structure that we see today.

From Powick Bridge I made a detour to Powick Church another site closely connected to the Civil Wars. Cromwell's reinforcements from Wales were harried by snipers in and on the church tower. 

If you look closely at the second picture you can see, to the right and a little below the larger tower window, some round pitted marks on the wall not far from the modern drainage pipe. They are reputed to be shot holes from musket fired at the Royalist defenders. 





Today I managed to walk 10 miles in one go although my technology would tell you different! 
My Satmap said 10 miles when I stopped it but only 9.85 miles once I'd saved it!! 
My phone App decided it wasn't playing after only 3.36 miles!!





I think I'll stick to flowers 😃 

Day 1 Monday 23rd March 2020

Unusually, & weirdly, the day started outside my own home!!

That’s never happened before. I had decided that, as my walk was originally supposed to be in Scotland I would try and mirror the distance, terrain, ascents/descents and where possible the type of locations. I posed the question yesterday; “Where would I walk that would mirror Fort George, Cawdor Wood and Culloden Battlefield near Inverness?”

My first stop was Powick Old Bridge which spans the River Teme. This was the site of the first skirmish of the English Civil War in September 1642 (before the Battle of Edge Hill in October1642) Prince Rupert and 11 of his troops confronted Parliamentarian, Colonel Brown (!!) and 10 men.

The ensuing Battle of Powick Bridge was engaged by 1000 Parliamentary & Royalist troops and the first shots were fired by the Royalists and was countered by a Parliamentarian cavalry charge. It was a bit of a tactical mess by both sides but afterwards lessons were learnt and tactics re-considered by both sides.

From Powick I had to make my way up to Worcester Woods, by County Hall. Because of the recent flooding and major roadworks on the A440 some of the off-road footpaths were waterlogged or closed. I had to walk beside the busy road but at least no-one else was mad enough to be walking that way!

I managed to wend my way to the woods, skirting and through housing estates, only meeting a few dog walkers. We all gave each other wide berths!

Worcester Woods was also quieter than I had expected. Again there were mainly dog walkers, including a family with three young children who were having fun in a muddy creek. I managed to peak over the fence at the garden of the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven before heading back towards home via Perry Wood. 

I had another brief walk beside the main London Road before entering Fort Royal, the remains of a fortified site protecting the city of Worcester. This saw one of the fiercest actions of the Battle of Worcester which ended the Civil War in September 1651.

It was a wonderful place to stop for my mid-morning snack of marmalade sandwich (I’ve been practising my Paddington Bear “Hard Stare” too!)  I walked down the hill from Fort Royal to the Commandery, which was the Royalist Headquarters during the Battle. Charles Stuart watched some of the battle from Worcester Cathedral Tower. 

From the Commandery I made my way to the River Severn which I crossed at Diglis Bridge. Now I was on the west side of the river again so I headed home for a brief respite (& loo!!) Apple and sandwich devoured with a large glass of water. 





Then it was off again, back to the river and heading south along the Monarch’s Way. This 615 mile Long Distance Path follows the escape of Charles II after the Battle of Worcester.

It took me past the points on the River’s Severn and Teme where Oliver Cromwell cleverly constructed two ‘bridges of boats’ which allowed him to move his troops easily toward the battlefield.

The strongest and saddest connection between this walk and the one that I was supposed to be doing in Scotland is that the majority of Charles II’s army at the Battle of Worcester in 1651 came from the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands. Charles had an Army of 13,000; they’d marched hundreds of miles south with him from Scotland. Cromwell had put into the battlefield 30,00 men, consisting of professional soldiers and part-time militia. Many  of the Scottish soldiers died, many were captured and sent to the colonies virtually as slaves. Very few of them returned home.

Day 1 done and dusted, and just over 18 miles under my belt (well, feet!) The weather has been glorious and I’m feeling good.

 Where will I be tomorrow? It was supposed to be the biggest day’s climb of the whole walk. Now where would that be round here?

Marg's 2020 Walk 2nd Update

WOW!! This 'thing' is moving fast. 

I have decided that I am going to start my 2020 "Was-to-be-Scotland" 100 Mile Charity Walk tomorrow, Monday 23rd March. 

As I have already said in an earlier post, I have had to re-rout the walk from Scotland to Worcestershire. I'm trying to match the route terrain, elevation and kinds of locations that I'm walking. It's taken some extra thought and planning. 

Day 1 originally was due to take in areas around Inverness on the northeastern coast of Scotland. I had intended walking around Fort George on the coast, Cawdor Estate Woods (Cawdor has a link with my home-county of Pembrokeshire and finally the battlefield site at Culloden. 

My question for you folks, particularly those who know Worcester & Worcestershire well, is to see if you can work out each day where I might be walking. I will still be writing my Blog every evening so you can see if your guess was right!

             

                                 




Please feel free to donate to my two charities, Cancer Research UK and Women's Royal Army Corps Association, who are working particularly hard during these trying times. The research into fighting cancer must continue. These are also particularly trying times for many Association members experiencing even more isolation and loneliness during this Coronavirus outbreak; the support continues. 
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretDaviesWRAC

Marg's 2020 Walk *Covid-19 Update*

My, oh my! How quickly have things happened? Hi from Worcester.

Worcester Cathedral

Malvern Sculpture

In the light of recent Government & Health advice I will NOT be doing my 100 Mile Solo Walking Challenge in Scotland but, as I am under 70 years of age I WILL still be doing my 100 Mile Walk but locally, around Worcestershire, avoiding contact with humans where possible!! If necessary I'll have to "borrow" a dog!!

The timing of my walk remains the same and will be:

Start on Friday 17th April 2020

End on Thursday 23rd April 2020

I would still love to reach (& hopefully exceed) my fundraising target for my two charities who support vulnerable people particularly at this trying time.

You can still donate via my Virgin Money Giving page at:

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretDaviesWRAC

Worcestershie Beacon

I am planning possible routes which will replicate the type of terrain that I was due to walk in Scotland. Well, it gives me something to do now that I'm a bit more limited in my social gallivanting!! It is going to prove a good mental challenge to plan suitable new routes at short notice.

They still have to cover similar distances and elevations on all 7 days. 

Hopefully we are going to have less rain than we've experienced in the last couple of months or else this walk could end up as a swim . . . or a mud bath!! 

Although I will be based at home and doing many of the walks in familiar locations, often where I have previously walked with friends, I will still need to get into 'the zone' or 'mind-set' as I will still be walking day after day for 100 miles. I find this easiest when solo walking, just head down, step out and go for it. So, self-isolating works for me!!

March 2020 - "Stormy Weather"

Me in a snow storm!

Just over a month to go before I start my 2020 Solo 100 Mile Charity Walk. As has been well publicised in the media my part of the world has had some interesting weather over the last few months. We’ve had Storm Ciara, Storm Dennis and Storm Jorge with their winds and rainfall causing chaos. Needless to say my training has suffered a bit. Some of my planned training walks had to be abandoned or re-routed thanks to floods and some of my journeys to walks took detours thanks to fallen trees and floods.

Worcester & River Severn Flooding

Worcester - some properties became
islands

Having said that I have managed to keep up my mileage to build stamina. I have also succeeded
in losing some weight thanks to a mostly ‘Dry January’ and being more aware of the food that I’m
eating. Both of these have not been easy thanks to the many ‘social’ WRAC events that I’ve been
attending. We’re a very sociable group!! 

Majorie (statue), Vera (dec)
& Margaret Walkeden

Margaret Walkeden at the WRAC
plot before it was re-vamped

I’m looking forward to another gathering of WRAC Association ladies at the National Memorial
Arboretum on Saturday 21st March. It will be a very special occasion when we dedicate a new
statue to the WRAC honouring all those who served between 1949 and 1992.
The new statue (named “Maureen”) will be standing near her predecessor (named “Majorie”),
a lady of the ATS honouring those who served during World War II between 1938 and 1949.
I am hoping to drum up a few more donations via a raffle for some WRAC related prizes and
my wonderful Mascot “Piper Angus”

Piper Angus -
hand-knitted by a
WRAC veteran friend

At the moment I’m trying to keep the soles of my feet in tip-top order whilst also keeping up with
my walking and general fitness training. I have received loads of brilliant suggestions regarding
staying blister-free; all I have to do is work out which ones work for me and my feet!!

Once again my grateful thanks to all those who have donated to my two charities, either in person,
through raffles or through my Virgin Money Giving Page:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretDaviesWRAC