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Autumn 2005 - Malvern Hills 30/09/05-03/10/05
Friday 30th September (Travel down to Malvern)
Travel day, the weather was cloudy, humid with odd spots of rain.
Phil, Jack and Dick went in one car; Steve and Pat in another. Pete Tompson, John Stopani and Ian Cousins arrived in separate cars. We had planned to meet at Bush Green in the P H marked on the map but ended up at the village hall. Whilst talking to a local, to make sure it was ok to park there, we found out the story behind the pub being closed. It had been bought to be run as a B&B but the person who bought it said that it was not a going concern, (not surprising as the doors were never open). However we were advised of somewhere else to go, for which we were very thankful. All had an uneventful Journey up, Phil's car just missing the M1 being closed for the air ambulance after an accident southbound.
We walked along a path called the poets way to a place called Dymock and the pub called The Beauchamp Inn for lite refreshment and sustenance before carrying on along the Poets Way. Whilst walking along we passed a Farmer who asked if we were lost, but we were on the path. Shortly later we understood why, as the path had not been used for quite some time and was very overgrown. Ian did a grand job in his shorts, trail breaking through the briars and bracken. We saw several Buzzards some quite low down.
As we came down off the Poets Way to cross the M50 and get back to the cars, we were approached by Barbara. She invited us to Garland Hut for tea and biscuits where we were enlightened about the Poets and given a poetry reading.
Ian disappeared for a while in her house. Upon coming back he claimed that he had been to the bathroom and had also stroked her pussy.
After tea we went back to the Hostel for a wash and change. In the Evening some ate at the Hostel while others in the Railway Inn, retiring for the night suitably refreshed.
Saturday 1st October
After a Hostel breakfast we split into two groups (1) Norm, Pete, Phil, and Jack went up via Upper Wyche on to the Malvern Hills along to a café by the Malvern Hotel before elevenses. After a break they carried on up the Herefordshire Beacon back round via the top of the British Camp Reservoir to the Malvern Hotel for a late lunch. After lunch retracing their steps before dropping back down by the road to walk back to the hostel. Along the way they came along a Hotel advertising cream teas, (an offer to good to miss). The Hotel was very posh with a fine display cabinet of cigars all a price no one could even think about.
The others left going across a golf course to a dismantled railway to Shuttlefast Lane, Boulter's Farm, on to the Worcestershire Way Link to Undermills Farm. Paul, Graham, Ian and Dave went on to Berrow Downs then up via the disused quarry to Midsummer Hill then back to the Herefordshire Beacon and Malvern Hotel for lunch. Dick, Steve, Pat and John went up Tinker's Hill past the British Camp Reservoir, on to the top of the Herefordshire Beacon, where they met group 1 before going down to the Malvern Hotel for Lunch.
On the way down as the slipperiness of the path was being discussed Dick slipped landing hard, on his knee, putting a hole in his trousers. Only his pride being hurt.
As we sat outside enjoying the sun it got very dark, then going inside, before the heavens opened. After lunch the route continued along the ridge to Upper Wyche, and the Worcestershire Beacon. Dick, Steve, Pat and John stopped at the Wyche Inn before returning to the Hostel. Paul and others took in North Hill before going directly back to the hostel.
Paul, Graham and Phil rushed out to watch West Ham on TV, a 1-1 draw, before joining Pat, Dick, John and Steve at the Nags, (a very popular pub), but were unable to get food as it was full. Moving on to the Red Lion there was plenty of room Ian joined Paul, Graham and Phil for a meal there but it was a long wait. After dining they went on to the Great Malvern Hotel before returning to the hostel. Dick, Pat, Steve and John went back to the Railway inn meeting Jack, Norm and Pete before returning to the hostel.
Sunday 2nd October
Weather was cloudy to start with but brightened up, as the day went on staying fine all day.
Pete, Jack, Norm and Phil did a circuit up the Worcestershire Beacon and North Hill. Pete had to leave early so dropped out and returned to his car and then away. The others finished there walk early so went to Worcester for a look around.
The rest of us went along and down the Malvern Hills, stopping at a café by the Malvern Hotel for TEA before continuing on past the Herefordshire beacon to Hangman's Hill. Then on to the Worcestershire Way, Eastnor Park via an Obelisk, Eastnor then up by Dead Woman's Thorn and into Leadbury. As we walked through a field along this section we disturbed some Pheasants, not just a few as you normally see more than 100. As we walked up the hill they were flying from the cover on both sides.
After a visit to the Talbot Hotel we had lunch at Mrs Muffin's tearooms. Paul, Ian, Dave and Graham then left to walk back via Frith Wood, Lower Lodge, Cumming's Farm, Brockbury Hall, Colwall Stone, Upper Colwall, Upper Wyche. Stopping for refreshment at the Wyche Inn before returning to the Hostel.
Dick, Pat, John and Steve went to The Prince of Wales to have a drink with Steve before he went home, and the others got a train later. As with all plans things can and did go wrong. Steve left ok but the beer and pub were very good we stayed for another and another etc. There was entertainment later, a man playing and singing blues, and he was quite good.
Realising it was past train time and enquired about a Taxi at the bar but were told unless you were going to the airport forget it, so we drained our glasses leaving in search of salvation. Drawing a blank we called in at the King of Rings, asking the landlady if she knew of any taxi numbers, luckily she did and arranged it for us. So we thanked her and had a drink while we waited. It only cost us £5.
By the time we got back the others were just about to leave to go to the Chase for food. After a wash and change we tried to find the Chase but could not find it so we gave up the chase and went back to the Railway for dinner before retiring. We found out later it was a bit more of a chase to the Chase than we were led to believe. Next time we must carry on chasing until we reach the Chase and catch the others, so we do not miss good food, beer and atmosphere in a good pub.
Monday 3rd October
The weather was cloudy but fine with little wind.
Travel day but as it was fine we decided to do a walk before leaving, to finish of the south end of the Malvern's. All went with the exception of John who went straight home and Ian who had to go to work.
We parked by Westfields on the A438 walking along the Worcestershire way up Midsummer Hill and along the top returning to the car park, (it was murder for a small hill). Then across the road, under Ragged Stone Hill, and up Chase End Hill. After taking in the views we retraced our path to get to the ascent of Ragged Stone Hill at the top along a short ridge before descending to the cars. Although these had been smaller hills they were the steepest of the weekend both going up and down, all made it though.
We then went on to Upton upon Severn for lunch in a tea room before returning home.
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