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LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOODDerek Harwood's Walking Records If you have any queries about the pictures or discriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com | |||||
  WEST MIDLANDS WAY GORCOTT HILL to ALVECHURCH Wednesday 28th May 2003 ..................................Walk No. 548 |
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West Midlands Way No. 34 Total 179 miles Time Taken: 2.50 hrs Distance: Enjoyment: Weather: Humid 5:30 am - 8:00 pm 7 miles 80% Sunny and Warm Temp: Cloud: Rain: Visibility: Ground Conditions: Wild Life: 18oC 90% 0% Good Very Dry Bluebells, Rabbits, Hare Total AA: Total MH: Total LD: Total AW: Other: Total Distance: 676.5 mls 730.5 mls 1691.5 mls 100.5 889 mls 4088 miles Companions: (Derek) Walking Alone Points of Interest: Gorcott Hill Source of River Alne Pink Green Heath Green Rykneild Street (Roman Road) Hobb Hill - 597 feet Bayliss Green Rowney GreenGeneral:
Final leg of Way. Thirty fourth day's walking on 'West Midlands Way'. 172 to 179 miles. Started cycling from Alvechurch at 4:45 pm. Steady pace with little head wind, but undulating for 6 miles. Had to walk twice, up Church Hill Beoley and Moss Lane Gorcott Hill. Locked cycle to hedge by field entrance gate at Gorcott Hill. Started walking at 5:30 pm from Old Berrow Lane and immediately turned off lane alongside the source of the River Alne. Passed two delightful timbered cottages at Wapping, called 'Mount Pleasant' and 'Wren's Net', before descending steeply down Moss Lane to Pink Green Hills Farm. Steep ascent back up to the lovely Pink Green Farm and riding stables. Very tall grass over next few fields to Heath Green. Continued ahead by Chapel Farm from lane to a flooded track. Thought at first that there was a leak because the way until this point had been dry. To my amazement the whole length of the lane was extremely wet with huge puddles. I had to walk on the verges in the stinging nettles on several occassions. Cross stile just before Hob Hill Farm entrance. Pass through gates and alongside huge riding sheds to open fields. Head for OS trig point on top of Hob Hill. No cattle in fields, hence tall grass, until Lilley Green Hall Farm where I was contronted by a cow, due I'm sure to the calfs in the field. Good views of Lickey Hills and Redditch from hills around Romney Green. Passed another 'Rose Cottage' on left of lane before Rowney Lodge Farm. Good path from this lane the remainder of the Way to Alvechurch. Interesting large village, take a good look around to see the 'Old House' and visit St Lawrence Church. Finished walking at 8:00 pm.
Location: www.streetmap.co.uk Start 409660/268595, Finish 402635/272500, via 407040/272120 Hazards: Always be prepared to get your feet wet, even when the ground conditions are generally good. There could always be an unexpected wet lane with lots of large deep muddy puddles. May be the result of a local heavy thunderstorm. Avoid cows with young calfs, or be brave. Care required around the riding stables of Hob Hill Farm. Signs to Hob Hill not obvious and the ponies in the fields always trot over expecting a tit bit. | |||||
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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2003 Devised: May 2003 |