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Autumn Walk October 2021 Ironbridge,
7/10/2021 - 11/10/2021
Thursday 7th October.
Travel day
Pete, John S, Andy, Mick, John W, Steve, Paul, Dick, Ralph, Graham, Dave and Ian all met at The Buckatree Hotel for lunch. There were no real ales available so we had to drink fizz. As we wanted a light lunch sandwiches were ordered. They came out without crusts, but we did not drink our drinks with our little pinkies in the air though.
After lunch we left the cars and set out for our “Gentle” warm up walk to go around the bottom of the Wrekin to the far end then up and over the Wrekin back to the cars. Somehow the plan went awry as we went up to start with. The climb was very steep Pete dropped out on the way up, Dick struggled but made it. All enjoyed the views from the top though. After a brief stop we went down the other side again (very steep with loose footing underfoot) but all made it down ok. We then walked back around the base of the Wrekin to return to the cars before traveling on to the Travelodge at Shawbirch, (our accommodation for the night). Phil joined us there as he had travelled up by train.
Once washed and changed we ate in the Toby Carvery next to the Travelodge. It was basic food but ok though and there were some very friendly and helpful staff. All bar Pete, Phil and Dick went on to The Pheasant Inn for an after dinner drink which turned out to be the better option as it was a very good place. By the time those at the carvery were ready for another drink they had closed the bar so it was back to the room and tea or coffee for them. It had been a good day though staying fine, cloudy at times and not too hot.
Friday 8th October.
Ben joined us for breakfast as he had driven up that morning. Breakfast was taken in the Toby, full English with Yorkshire Puddings. Once we had eaten it was on to Much Wenlock to park just outside town near Blakeway Hollow.
All were walking today. The weather was fine but cloudy with low cloud at times. It had supposed to be hot but as it was it was much better for walking.
The walk was from the cars, past Stokes Barn around the end of Wenlock Edge, Blakeway Cottage, Blakeway Farm, Major’s Leap then up to the car park near Presthope. As we had a rest here we decided to walk on to the viewpoint. As we got nearer to the viewpoint the cloud came down lower so we did not see much. We then returned to the car park by Presthope then along the ridge to the cars. The views did get better as we approached Much Wenlock as the low cloud was left behind. Most dropped their backpacks off in the cars so they could take a stroll into town for refreshments. These were taken at the Talbot or The George and Dragon. Both had good ales and were friendly places. Once refreshed we drove on to Coalport and the Hostel by the China Museum.
After we had checked in, washed and changed we went out to try and get dinner. First stop The Brewery Inn, could not fit us in but we were able to book for the next night. We then went on to the Woodbridge where they managed to fit us all in, good food, ale and service so we booked again for Sunday.
Ray and Will had travelled to Coalport earlier going for a walk into Ironbridge sampling some of the local watering holes on the way and joined later for a nightcap.
Saturday 9th October.
We woke up to another cloudy morning though it stayed fine all day, not too hot, ideal for walking.
After breakfast all were going to walk to Bridgnorth along the Severn Valley Cycle Way and the Severn Way. The cycle way followed a disused railway whilst the other path followed the river bank. We went down on the Severn Way at Ballsfoundry to walk by the river as it was more interesting than the cycle way. Around Bagley’s Rough the path became indistinct covered by nettles and briars. As we made our way on one section, Dave slipped off the path sliding down towards the river but the vegetation stopped him. Dick and Paul gave him a hand to get back onto the path ok apart from a few stings. We went up to the cycle way for a way until the path was clear then went back onto the Severn Way. By Apley Forge there was a bridge across. Ben asked why there was a bridge across the river? Why did the chicken cross the road? A little while later we went back onto the cycle way as time was getting on and we had to get a bus back and some refreshment at Bridgnorth. We went to the Black Boy in Bridgnorth, a great pub with good ales, pork pies and scotch eggs.
Ray and Will walked back, the others went to get the bus as dinner had been booked for 18:30. Once on the bus the driver said we would have to gather our bags in as there would be a lot of people getting on (it had been market day). Ben offered his seat to a lady who had got on with a man saying would you like to sit next to your husband? She replied it was not her husband but her father. Ben replied he could not tell her age because of her mask, she removed her mask, Ben went very red and with everything he said dug a hole ever deeper much to the amusement of all on the bus.
After we got off the bus we had to pass The Half Moon Inn thinking it rude not to stop we tried one. Nearer to the hostel we came across The Boat, again we thought it rude just to pass by, a good choice as it served good ales. Some then went straight on to the hostel others went to The Shakespeare Hotel, for one more.
Dinner was booked at The Brewery Inn, they had no real ales, plastic screens hanging from the ceiling and closed at 21:00. The food was good and covered the whole of the plate (with many, many chips). We then went on to The Shakespeare Hotel for after dinner drinks, the paths were wet, it looked like we had missed a light shower. Whilst talking about previous walks John S confessed that once he shared a bed with Pat Jennings and was unable to walk the next day!! He said he had problems with his feet.
Sunday 10th October.
We woke up to a fine sunny morning. It proved to be the best weather of the weekend, not so warm but just right for walking. The aim was to meet at The Huntsman at Little Wenlock. Two groups were formed. Group 1 Dick, Pete and Ian taking a flatter route than the rest. Group 2 all the others.
Group 1 route was down the Severn Valley Cycle Way to Ironbridge crossing the river by the Iron bridge itself. By the bridge they stopped for coffee and got a pork pie for later as there was no food available at lunchtime. They then carried on along Buildwas Road until they reached a path going towards Marnwood Hall, their aim was to get another path to cross the A4169 at Birches Coppice. They missed this path though and scrambled through a field ended up on the A4169. Having worked out where they were, it was decided to walk up the main road to a minor road that went to Little Wenlock. One slight oversight, the road was at the top of an embankment, they managed to climb it though and access the road which in the end had made it an easier walk arriving at the pub (The Huntsman) before the others.
Group 2 route started on the Silkin Way, behind the hostel, making their way up to Blists Hill
and through Lloyd’s Coppice to Dale Coppice before arriving in Coalbrookdale.
A bonus stop for morning drinks was then made at the Furnace Kitchen, part of Coalbrookdale Iron Museum. Before setting off they had a look around the Old Furnace,
which was very interesting and well worth a visit.
The next part of the route was very pleasant alongside Loamhole Brook/Dingle and up to the waterfall but unfortunately following tracks through woodland landed them in similar problems to Group 1. They reached the main road, A4169, from the north and had to scramble up the same embankment as the others, how coincidental! Apart from some bloodied legs all survived and made it to The Hunstman to meet the others for some well earned refreshment. Group 2, apart from Ray and Will, then went down Buildwas Lane to the river before walking along the Severn Way into Ironbridge.
After refreshment Group 1 stayed on the road into Coalbrookdale joined by Ray and Will meeting the others in Ironbridge before going to The Coracle for one on the way back to the hostel.
Ray and Will stayed at The Coracle whilst the others went back. They were staying at The Shakespeare Hotel as could not get the hostel on Sunday night.
After a quick change it was up to The Woodbridge for dinner, then back to The Shakespeare Hotel before going back to the hostel to toast absent friends with John W’s Rhubarb Gin.
Monday 12th October.
After breakfast we went to Bridgnorth for a look around before driving home. It had been another good weekend with all walking every day. Lots of memories as long as we can still remember them!!
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