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Spring Walk June 2008, Offa's Dyke
07/6/2008-11/6/2008
Thursday 7th,
Travel day. All travelled in two cars, Dick and Andy. In Dick’s car were Graham, Paul and Richard and in Andy’s car were Steve, Pat and John W. We got to the Hostel at Kington around 11:30. As we booted up there were a few spots of rain. We walked into town and stopped for tea and a bun at a café before starting our loosening up walk.
The walk was up, out of Kington along the Offa’s Dyke Path via Ridgebourne Road, (Race Course disused) Hergest Ridge (no sign of Mike Oldfield), Broken Bank & into Gladestry stopping at The Royal Oak for some light refreshment.
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The weather had been kind, with only a brief shower, stopping once, to get our waterproofs on. The rest of the time it was sunny. We retuned back along Broken Back until we found a lower path to take us around Hergest Ridge past Rabber Dingle and Bage before coming back to Offa’s Dyke Path into Kington and the Hostel. A total distance of 9 miles. The rain decided to appear again but we were close to shelter in the form of some trees where we let a brief but very heavy shower pass. During the walk we saw many Buzzards (not surprising as there were loads of rabbits everywhere on the walk).
Pete, Norman and John S joined us at the Hostel. After a wash and change we went to the Oxford Hotel for refreshment and sustenance then on to the Old Tavern where they brewed their own.
Friday 8th
We woke up to a fine and sunny day. Although it clouded over later, it remained fine.
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The Hostel did not do breakfast but had an arrangement with the Regency café where you could get breakfast with toast and tea. It was very good.
There were two sections of the walk. Kington to Knighton (13.5 miles) and Knighton to Clun (7.5 miles). All started (apart from Norman and Pete who drove to Clun) in two cars, leaving one at Knighton to walk from Clun to Knighton and return in the car. The route they took is the reverse of Part 2. For the rest the route is as follows:-
Part 1. Leaving Kington on the Offa’s Dyke Path climbing up to Rushock Hill, Lower Harpton, Ditchyeld Bridge, Burfa, Granner Wood, Hilltop Plantation, Bwlch, Yew Tree Farm, Dolley Old Bridge (very pretty), turning just before entering Dolley Green for another long hard climb up Furrow Hill, Hawthorn Hill. Once we had reached the top it was only gentle ups and downs until we reached Knighton where the descent was quite steep. Andy, Paul, Graham and John W had gone ahead and stopped in a café for tea and buns as they were walking on. The rest went to the Horse and Jockey to rehydrate! After, collect cars, buy breakfast provisions before getting on to Clun.
Part 2. Out of Knighton along Offa’s Dyke Path via Cwm-sanaham Hill, Brynorgan, Garbett Hall, along a road to Little Selly, Cwm Burholes, Upper Treverward, to the Jack Milton Way and again along the road into Clun meeting the others there.
The evening meal was taken at The Rising Sun before moving on to The White Horse. Again good food and ale.
Interests of the day: - We had found a Blue Tits nest in a tree by a Style in Gunners Wood but had not seen so many Buzzards.
Interests of the night: - Pat tried to gas his fellow Dorm sleepers, those who sleep in the same room as Pat in the future are requesting gas masks and an oxygen kit!
Saturday 9th
Clun to Newcastle and back (13 miles).
We woke up to Brilliant sunshine and as the day went on more cloud developed but it stayed fine.
We had to do our own breakfast so Paul made porridge, Dick made poached egg and beans on toast, Richard was waitress. The others laid tables and washed up. It all went well.
Dick and Richard did not walk as they had picked up injuries, but strolled around Clun before meeting the others for lunch. Whilst sitting in the Hostel grounds a Buzzard soared overhead at only 100 feet. Norman and Pete went back to Knighton to have a look around, again meeting the others for lunch.
From Clun, the Shropshire way as far as Hergan was taken then on to the Offa’s Dyke path to Church Road then into Newcastle to the Crown Inn. The others were met, then after lunch returning to the Offa’s Dyke Path down to Springhill Farm, Burfield, Cwnffrydd, Llwyn and then Clun.
Whilst at the Crown we saw a Red Kite and some Buzzards
Evening food was taken at the White Horse followed by light refreshments.
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That Night Norman spent most of the night talking to wild boar and was crowned King of the snorer’s.
Sunday 10th
Again we woke up to a brilliant start staying dry with light breezes.
Same routine for breakfast, again all went well.
After breakfast the Hostel was turned upside down as Norman had lost his hearing aid (perhaps this is why he had snored so much), all had looked to no avail. We had asked him where he had last had it but he could not hear us! It turned out he had taken it out when he went for a shower, put it in his pocket (somewhere safe), but could not find it later. It had gone into his wallet and was being guarded by the moths. Alls well that ends well though.
Several different things done today:-
Dick and Richard went to Rhos Fiddle nature reserve for a gentle stroll as they were still injured. Here they saw lots of birds, and hares. Dick got his foot wet (as he only walked in sandals) crossing a wet grassland. Then on to Craven Arms (a place not a pub) where another stroll by a river was taken, seeing several fish. Then stumbling upon The Craven Arms pub, sampled there hospitality, before moving on to Church Stretton, where another stroll taken around Church Stretton. Then going to Bridges, via an interesting road. It had lots of hairpins, climbs and drops.
Pete and Norman went to bridges after dropping off Pat, Steve and John S at Plowden, despite Norman having trouble with John’s sat nav, before going to Church Stretton and walking up Carding Mill Valley and back down again. Then for a cream tea, before going back to Bridges.
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Pat, Steve and John S left on the Port Way, Shropshire Way, and Jack Milton Way, along the Long Mynd (Pat had called it the Long Minge), at Pole Cottage cutting across to Standbatch, back on to the Shropshire Way and on to Bridges.
Paul, Andy, Graham and John W walked from the hostel along the Shropshire Way. Paul soon returned as he had left his honey sandwich behind. They then carried on to Kempton taking the path through Short Wood, Hazel Knap, to Edgton rejoining the Shropshire Way to Plowden. They then followed Pat’s route until Pole Cottage where they carried on over Pole bank. Then down to Priory Cottage, Coats Farm, Shropshire Way and on to Bridges.
We all met at the Horseshoe Inn at varying times. As we had been warned in advance the pub stopped doing food at 16:00, (we had booked a Hostel meal), but in effect they had closed the kitchen at 14:30, only later serving oddments of food to selected people. Later it was found out that the pub would close at 20:00. Sacrilege, as we were only 200 meters from a pub and it would be closed. Representatives of our party went down to try and negotiate evening drinks. This was unsuccessful so alternative arrangements were made.
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John W had seen signs for a trials motorcycle event earlier on the walk, hearing a noise he said ‘they must be close’ as he could hear them. As they turned the corner somebody was busy using a Strimmer. No motorcycles in sight.
For the evening drink we went to Wentnor and the Crown Inn. Andy and Norman drove, so many thanks to them. What a difference the landlord was. Very hospitable, even offering us food at 20:30 and there being 11 of us. We thanked him but declined explaining that we had already eaten but would like to sample his ales. This was agreeable to all, and the beer was well kept. What a difference in landlords, if we are that way again we know where we will be going.
Monday 11th
Weather again fine and sunny.
Norman and John S went home after the Hostel breakfast.
Pete, Richard and Dick took the cars to Stiperstone and the Stiperstone Inn before walking up to the trig point on Stiperstones meeting the rest on the way up there. The others walked from the hostel on the Shropshire Way before dropping down to Stiperstone and the Inn.
We all had lunch at the Inn before going home. An uneventful journey and a bit slow in places.
It had been a good place to go walking much like the Peak District but without the crowds.
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