LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

West Midlands Way  No. 31              Total 163 miles

Time Taken:  1.75 hrs   Distance:   Enjoyment:    Weather:  Clear Views
   4:15 am - 6:00 pm       4.5 miles         75%             Sunny and Warm

Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:     Wild Life:
  14oC        65%        0%      Very Good          Very Dry        Rabbits, Lambs

Total AA:    Total MH:   Total LD:    Total AW:     Other:    Total Distance:
676.5 mls    730.5 mls    1684.5 mls      100.5         889 mls        4081 miles

Companions:  (Derek)  Walking Alone ---------- To be Updated
                                 Wrong Text & Photos
Points of Interest:
Henley-in-Arden            Arden Way           Heart of England Way
Birm - Stratford Railway       Henley Golf Course         Ullenhall Village    
St. Mary's Church        Chapel Barn        Tracy Farm        Gorcott Hill

General:
Thirty third day's walking on 'West Midlands Way'. 167.5 to 172 miles.
Started cycling from Gorcott Hill at 3:45 pm. Brisk pace mainly down
hill for 4.5 miles. Locked cycle around a lamp post and started walking
at 4:15 pm. Tried to take my first photo on bridge of railway at Henley
Station but lens locked causing an error message. All my efforts to clear
the fault were in vain. I had no useful camera to take photos. I was
devastated. Path re-routed around edge of Henley Golf Course. Many
ponds is this area. Always re-assuring to pass a pond when shown on
the map and described in the walk text. Good evidence of the old ridge
and furrow farming system in field just before Ullenhall. Delightful
village with pubs still open, but Post Office and Village Store now closed.
Impressive church, St Mary's, on western side of village, 8 bells tower but
haven't rung there yet. Footpath now diverted around Chapel Barn House.
After passing The Reins wood and another field turn sharp left along the
edge of a new tree plantation to A4189 opposite archway of Tracy Farm.
Soon after leaving main road pass a very pleasant 'Desired Residence'.
Steady climb passing many grazing fields to road near Grove Wood and
car. Walked through mostly grazing fields but very few cattle or sheep in
fields, although some horses as usual. Unofficial path diversion obviously
changed by bungalow just before Ullenhall Lane to give the bungalow
residents some privacy. Original stile now in end of large hedge, follow
good stile to right and cross left hand edge of field to another good stile
to road at Gorcott Hill. Photos taken 28th May 2003. www.streepmap.co.uk
Start 414875/265980, Finish 409660/268545, via 410880/267920.
 
Hazards:
Care required when walking diagonally across fields. Follow track across or
skirt around field if no path obvious. Watch for path diversion after Ullenhall
Church and by new plantation adjacent to fields of horses and opposite Tracy
Farm. Footpath to road near Grove Wood peters out and is obviously little used.
Stiles disappear so use gates. Keep walking straight ahead with field hedge on
right.