Strawberry Fields Forever, Whittington Walk, 15 Jan 2012

A beautiful afternoon for a walk, not a hint of wind or cloud, but very cold and crisp, off we go.

Bit of a blight on the landscape, it has to be said, hectares of polytunnels waiting to be planted with strawberries.

Puppydog enjoyed the frozen puddles.

 

Back along the canal towards Whittington. This really is a delightful walk if you have a spare hour.

 Junction of the Coventry and Birmingham canals.

You're never too far from a train. Am trying to picture this area in 15 years time, will probably be standing on the track.

 Shadows on the canal.

An excellent pint of Pedigree according to Kainey.







The next Whittington Walk 2 Jan 2012

Off we set with chocolate lab, OS map and the Whittington Walks book having planned the walk across the Ranges, Hopwas Wood and back along the Coventry Canal. The sun was shining, the sky was cloudless.

 

  The Ministry of Defence area consists of Rifle Ranges, and mixed broad leaved woodland which extends eastwards to the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and the River Tame. The Rifle Ranges at Whittington, are they actually still used?

 

Packington Porkers enjoying the outdoor life.

and into the woods at Hopwas. North of Hopwas village is Hopwas Hays Wood, which consists of approximately 385 acres of ancient woodland, that was owned for many years by the Levett family of Wychnor Park.A large part of the woodland is currently owned by Tarmac.

 

 More autumnal than wintery.

The route went straight through the woods although it was tempting to explore to the left and right as paths crossed our route down to the canal and River Tame.

The canal towpath leads past several bridges and very close to the main line where Virgin trains thundered up and down. We met several walkers and dogs and a few determined, very muddy cyclists. Apart from an unexpected fall into the canal by puppydog, we spent the next 3 miles meandering our way back to Whittington, via Fisherwick.

 

foraging for mushrooms.

Final bridge before taking the road back into Whittington and towards a liquid imbibement, well deserved at the pub.

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.

A Misty Morn in November

What better to blow away the excesses of the previous evening's dinner and a cooked breakfast than a ramble in the countryside? Armed with map, boots, waterproofs, oh and the puppydog, we set out on a gentle 6 mile hike from Fradley Junction. 

Have not been to FJ for years, even a tarmac road to pub these days! The walk started from the pub and we followed the canal for about 2.5 miles. The colours, even on such a misty day were amazing.

Only 66 miles to Preston Brook.

Monster mushrooms growing amongst the fallen leaves.

Kings Bromley Wharf, not a lot going on there these days.

Don't they know the canal is closed around the bend?

After about 2 miles we left the canal behind us and continued along a B road towards Kings Bromley.

Wonderful autumnal colours in every garden. Soon we found a farm track and a long horned cow.

 aahhhh, baby fresians.

Next stop, Alrewas Hayes, (nice wedding venue). Beautiful farmhouse although pity about the bit stuck on at the end to change what must have been a beautiful symmetrical Georgian farmhouse.

Maize? No, bamboo? now why would anyone grow so much bamboo?

Across a field of brassicas.....across a wood by the mobile homes and finally a wonderful sight.

2 hours in total, a great walk, hardly anyone about and those of us hardy souls who were, well our spirits were lifted by a trudge, a yomp, a ramble, a hike, a meander, anything you may wish to call it. A brilliant walk.

Pear Tarte Tatin

Autumn fruit is amazing. A colleague handed me a huge bag of pears so feeling somewhat energetic this week I set to and made a pear and ginger cake for his meeting. Unfortunately he didn't actually get any of it, so better set to and make another one.

Pear Tarte Tatin, almost better than apple. Thanks, Gordon.

One of those days

I feel like writing one of those letters which is signed Disgruntled of Lichfield.

Yet not really a bad day, the Freecycling continued after work. Garden furniture to a delightful couple who were on their way to the tip in their van and asked if I had anything they wanted me to take with them. You see, brief connections with people like this in the everyday humdrum of life often reassure you that, after a rubbish night's sleep (or doze should I say), most people are genuinely nice and want to help.

What is a house worth?

Listened to a laughable offer today. Incensed, infuriated and indeed I did laugh and said positively no, we are in no hurry to sell. But what if it is the only offer? The market is static, bills need paying, closure needs addressing, what price a house where you spent so much of your life as a child, a teenager, a young married 20 something, a 30 something mother, daughter, sister, you cannot put a price on that. I find I am defending the fact it has 'potential for improvement' - estate agent speak. Why does everyone need an ensuite these days or an island in the kitchen? It was fine for us growing up and the grandchildren growing up who have such fond, happy, hysterically funny at times memories of this house and their grandparents. I suspect the emotional ties now the house is becoming a shell of its former self are beginning to loosen. The day is fast approaching for the final time when we shall lock up the back, close the front door, close all the downstairs doors, draw the curtains and taken a final look behind us as we say goodbye. Tears will flow.

How lucky we consider ourselves to have those memories, how sad they are all in the past.

and so the Freecycling continues....

I had to ask my hubs the name for this...the sack truck, useful I'm sure but I had no idea of its name. So many responses. Came down to 'I have a disabled husband and would really appreciate it', no brainer as to the need.







The twin beds have gone to 'our friend who has recently opened a day centre and respite for the elderly and would be well cared for'.






The garden chairs, parasol and table go to the lady whose daughter is 'trying to make her garden nice for her and her daughter'.





Freecycling reassures your sense of what is right in the world.
You are all welcome.