A Whittington Walk

Determined to get to know our immediate area much better and on foot, we embarked upon a Whittington walk today.

Whittington is a delightful little village not far from Lichfield and I noticed an advert on the village website recently for a book outlining Ten Circular Walks around Whittington, available from the Parish Clerk (who lives in Cannock!). I duly sent a cheque for £3 and the book appeared with full directions and maps. Most walks started and ended at The Bell pub which seemed as good a place as any to end a walk.
Today we chose the Huddlesford Footpaths walk. 4 miles along the canal to Huddlesford and then back across fields to the village. The weather was perfect, more autumn than winter and armed with OS map, book, dog and dort we set off.

The walk followed the canal for a mile or so before turning on to footpaths, over stiles, through bogs and along tracks. A wonderful way to while away a couple of hours. I had not realised quite how close to the mainline railway route we are and as Virgin trains crossed our paths every few minutes, I tried to imagine what the countryside would look like in 15 years time with the HS2 route near enough straight through our walk. I would recommend listening to the Richard Bacon podcast this week where he interviews Pete Waterman who is an avid train spotter and expert, he has an interesting take on the HS2, good listening!


http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017wygv




Depressing to see a pub we once frequented To Let, closed down and looking rather forlorn at the side of the canal. A great pity, they always served rather good bar food in a lovely setting but with over 25 pubs a week currently closing, it is easy to see how this slightly out of the way at the end of a very dark road with no street lights and not situated in a village or even hamlet would have to take stock and close its doors.


On returning to the village and feeling a little faint, we were forced into the pub for refreshments and reflection. A good morning had by all and had to be a huge improvement to the alternative of supermarket shopping.