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!!

Day 3 - Three Choirs Way

 Gloucester to Kempley

Gloucester was my starting point for the 3rd day of my Three Cathedrals Walk.

It was a fairly chilly start, there had even been a little frost on the car as we set off from Worcester.

I was glad of the gentle climb away from Gloucester to warm me against the biting wind. Somewhere in the background, if you look very carefully you can see the tower of Gloucester Cathedral.

The sun shone most of the day but the wind cut like a knife!.

I know I've long legs but
that step is ridiculous

Despite my worries that Gloucester County Council in particular don't promote the Three Choirs Way the path wasn't too bad, possibly because in some places it was a dual path, Wysis Way or Daffodil Way among others.

Denise also mentioned what a lot of pathways she noticed crossing roads & lanes as she drove around dropping me off & picking me up.

Signposting was sporadic, some stiles were ridiculously difficult and some path routes needed a certain amount of guesswork (& a Gizmo!!).

For the most part I avoided cattle. The first part was lane's, woodland and lush pasture.

There was one narrow field where there were cattle lying down at the far end.

I ventured across as quickly as I could without breaking into a trot.

As I climbed over the stile I noticed the cattle galloping towards me!!

Picture as evidence!!

I did have another encounter with a herd of cows & their calves. They were too busy feeding to worry much about me but I did give them a very wide berth. So much so that the farmer and his two year old sheepdog, Puppy (!), came to see what I was doing. I explained I was giving them a wide berth and he kindly escorted me around his farm and pointed me in the right direction to continue.

Round about my lunch stop at Clifford's Mesne

(I've no idea how to pronounce it!!)

I noticed some folk working on an electricity  pylon.

Now there's a job I wouldn't fancy!!

I wonder if they could see Gloucester any better than I?

It's somewhere there in the distance!!

I had my lunch contemplating tomorrow's Walk including Much Marcle Ridge - another climb!!

My only other encounter with animals were the llamas at Briery Hill Farm near Kilcot.

I wonder if they do Walking with Llamas?

Something to carry the backpack?

That was the last of the pictures for the day as I knew Denise would be waiting & I'd had to take another mile long detour to avoid another field of cattle. I also looked at the map and saw that the last mile was across fields & right beside a dairy farm!! I chickened out and took a track out of Dymock Wood onto the road leading to Kempley, my finish. 

Another 16.3 miles under my belt. Halfway around (or thereabouts!!)

Day 2 - Three Choirs Way

 Another early start to try & beat the rush-hour traffic. 

It was a bit of a grey start to the day here in Worcester as Denise attempted to take a start photo of me in our garden looking alert and ready for the off - NOT!!

The route down from Hollybush to Whiteleaved Oak was easy enough. It's a route that I've done many times before. 

I then took the lane down to Chase End Street. 

Then it was across the fields towards King's End where I encountered problem number one of the day. A field of very curious, frisky young bullocks!

They were all lying down, basking in the little bit of sunshine that had appeared, as I approached. 

Then they espied me on my side of the stile. 

They rose as one and galloped towards me. 

I stayed my side of the fence and tried to find an alternative route into another field. 

No such luck to the right although the bullocks did follow me on their side of the fence. 

I retraced my steps and tried the other side . . . . and they followed me all the way!!

Eventually I found a way out onto the lane and paused to take a lovely portrait of one of the 'cooos' 

From a distance, with a substantial hedge between them and me I have to admit they almost look kinda sweet!!

Almost!!

Panic over and I continued on my way to Pendock mostly by quiet lanes. 

My walking gizmo decided to have a hiccup so I hastily took a slightly blurry photo of the distance from Hollybush to Pendock.

4.84 miles - a bit further than expected thanks to the cattle!! 

I think my gizmo was put off by the cattle - I know I was!

Gizmo restarted after a lot of swearing and I was able to continue. 

From there I followed some clearly defined pathways across cattle-free fields until I reached the Chartist settlements around Staunton. Lovely names to the hamlets and villages in this area: 

Snig's End, Corse, Corse Lawn. 

Very "English"  

I could see a ridge in the distance and knew I'd have to climb it. 

The only real climb of the day. 

It was a short but incredibly steep climb followed by another field of cows with young calves! They were far more docile and not near my path so I carried on. 

I crossed another lane and then came across herd number three. Young cattle in my field, their mums and a bull in the next door field! The stile was right beside the gateway where Mums and calves were chatting over the fence!! the youngest calves were very interested and the older ones very skittish. I managed to find a way onto the farm track and ended up in the farmyard where I met the farmer & explained why I was in his yard. (No photo this time!!)

The rest of my walk was either on lanes, arable fields or with sheep. I have a feeling that I'm going to be doing some more lengthy detours to avoid cattle before the week is out. 

I wandered through the village of Ashleworth. There must be some money in the village. It's quite close Gloucester city and there was a lot of renovation building work going on and some very picturesque, large cottages. 

The lane leading to the river was long and I was hungry.

My late lunch was beside the River Severn, again sitting in the sunshine. 

Once fed & watered I made my way along a lane towards the village of Maisemore where I caught my first glimpse of Gloucester Cathedral. 

Here in Maisemore I crossed over the West Channel of the Severn. The river divides into a West and East Channel just north of Maisemore and rejoins a bit further south.

I'm not sure if Alney Island refers to the land between these two channels or the large road roundabout (& island) that sits on it!! 

Some of the land is a Nature Reserve, Richard's Wood, which was created to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the charter given to the people of Gloucester by King Richard III.

There was a little dicing with traffic as I made my way towards the city centre. 

I arrived at Westgate Street Car Park moments after Denise had arrived from Worcester and we walked the last few hundred yards together. 

The Cathedral looked as magnificent as I remembered.

So that's 12 miles from Pendock to Gloucester and 4.84 miles from Hollybush to Pendock. 

If we discount detours for cattle I've probably walked another 16.5 miles on Day 2. 

That makes a total of around 35 miles between the two cathedrals in two days which sounds about right. 

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

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretDaviesWRAC

 

Day 1 - Three Choirs Way

 Worcester to Hollybush - 19 Miles

What a glorious day for a walk even if I did underestimate the distance!!

Early morning at Worcester

The day started early at Worcester Cathedral, the first of the three cathedrals I'll be visiting. 

The traffic was awful!! 

Poor Denise (My Chauffeur)!  

Lockdown is very obviously over!!

I went from the Cathedral, via Callow End & Madresfield towards Malvern. The pathway snakes through the industrial park which is home to the Morgan Car Company. 

It brought back happy memories of the day in 2019 that my brother-in-law and I hired a Morgan and took it for a spin round mid Wales. Great fun!!

That was the end of the "fun" for a while as I climbed . . . . . and climbed . . . . . and climbed . . . . . and climbed!! 

I've climbed from the flat
bit behind me!!
Hardly half-way up!!

Somewhere in the distance
is Worcester

Still got to climb that!

Didn't quite make the top

During the day I climbed from 52ft to 1,345 ft!! 

My total ascents were 4,074ft and total descents were 3,704ft! 

I didn't quite reach the highest point, the top of the Worcester Beacon, but skirted it slightly as I still had a long way to go.

I called in at my favourite snack stop. Sally's Place, Wynds Point, Jubilee Drive, WR13 6DW

(http://sallysplace.co.uk/)

Not only did I have a very welcome coffee but also a huge (and very tasty) ham salad bap. Sarah (of Sally's Place) kindly donated £10 for my walk. Thank you.

My lunchtime view

Late lunch was above the reservoir overlooking Little Malvern Priory, not far from St Wulstan's Church where Edward Elgar is buried.

I needed to do some running repairs on my right tootsie where I'd developed a small blister on my little toe!! 

The Eastnor Monument.
I gave it a miss today

Then it was onwards & up and downwards to Hollybush, my finishing point for the day!! 

Phew!! 19 miles under my belt!! Hopefully tomorrow will be a little easier. There's no massive climbs as far as I'm aware!!

      

Three Cathedrals Walk 2021 - Ready, Set . . . .

Me prior to latest lockdown!!

Well I'm almost ready for this year's 100 mile in 6 days "amble" 

Since the start of the latest lockdown I'll admit to being not quite as light as I ought to be. This picture shows me with shortish hair and a reasonably comfortable weight. I'm fairly sure that I have put on well over a stone in weight during the second lockdown some of which I will put down to having very heavy hair!! I can only hope that I will shed a few pounds during my walk, particularly as pubs are few and far between along the route!! Anything that I eat and drink will have to be carried with me.

I haven't been doing a huge amount of walking over the past month or so as I got a bit fed-up with doing the same few mud-free local walks. Instead I've been building up my stamina doing some "extreme" gardening with Denise at a local care home. Using sledge-hammers, chisels, picks & shovels have been the implements of choice. I have to admit that my favourite activity has been being a pyromaniac!! Bonfires to dispose of many large tree-stumps, brambles and undergrowth have been the highlight of my days!!

Tomorrow (Monday) I will be doing a gentle, warm-up group walk with five others near Hereford. We'll be doing a circular walk from Hampton Bishop beside the rivers Lugg and Wye. A gentle, flat walk finishing at a pub!! My idea of the ideal walk.

Then it'll be home, prepare feet for 100 continuous miles, an early night ready for an early start at Worcester Cathedral on Tuesday morning. Look out for the picture of a chubby, long-haired me outside the cathedral on my next post. Wish me luck!!

Marg’s Three Cathedrals Charity Walk 2021 is ON!

Today, Thursday 15th April, I should have driving up to Inverness ready to start my walk. Instead I am putting the finishing touches to my new, more local walk which I'm due to start on Tuesday 20th April.

100 Mile Route Map

This year I will be staying comparatively local and walking between three cathedrals. I will be following the Three Choirs Way which is a long distance footpath route roughly 100 miles long between the three cathedral cities and county towns of Worcester, Gloucester and Hereford and between their cathedrals. The path also in this way links the two rivers of the three counties, the Severn, by the cathedrals of Gloucester and Worcester, and the Wye which runs by Hereford Cathedral. The path is named after the Three Choirs Music Festival (the first annual meeting believed to have been held in Gloucester in 1715). At the turn of the 19th Century Worcester born composer Edward Elgar became involved not only as organist and choirmaster but also through his own music. The Long Distance Walkers Association suggests that the pathway is not that well promoted by the County Council’s so there is a danger of overgrown paths, broken stiles and broken footbridges!! Wish me luck!!

I know that there are many calls on your generosity and that the whole world seems to be walking to raise money for something. As in the previous seven years of my Charity Walks I will be hoping to raise money for two charities close to my heart, the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association and Cancer Research UK. 

As a veteran and member of the Association I have benefitted from and see the support that this unique charity gives to often isolated female Army veterans. Walking alone, with one other and in Socially distanced groups with other WRAC Association members has kept me reasonably sane during this pandemic.

Me near start of walkwith asparagus
fields and Malvern Hills in
the distance

Walking Group at
Stanbrook Abbey,
Callow End

Walking Group at Much Marcle
Ridge looking west

I have had two diagnoses of cancer in the past decade and I have many family and friends who have been diagnosed with cancer, some of whom are still receiving treatment. I am grateful for the research that saved my life and I am well aware that the research must continue to find better treatments and quicker diagnosis.

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

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretDaviesWRAC

I am hoping to be able to run some raffles of WRAC memorabilia and other goodies in the future once I have completed my walking challenge - my usual 100 miles in 6 days!!

Intended Walk 2021

Covid-19 Stops Play - AGAIN!!

Sadly, yet again this year, I have to postpone my planned Scottish 100 Mile Charity Walk from Inverness to Fort William via the Great Glen Way.

Thanks to continuing issues regarding cross-border travel & accommodation during the Covid-19 pandemic my walk in April 2021 will not be possible. This pandemic continues to catch us out meaning that my Scottish Walk will have to be postponed for another year until April 2022.

I am aware that there are many calls upon your charitable natures and your purses at the moment. I WILL be doing a 100 Mile Walk for charity this year but at the moment I do not know when or where!! 

I will be posting information and articles on this annual walking Blog as well as on my Facebook page. I will also be opening this year's Virgin Money Giving page later once I have a better idea of what's happening (http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretDaviesWRAC).

The logistics of completing a distance walk in under a week are complicated & I don't want to have to keep cancelling things. 

I have been doing circular walks from my home in Worcester for twelve months now and have to admit that the challenge now is to try and find something new and interesting to keep me going day after day for 100 miles.

Watch this space for developments!!