Before lunch I visited Wellington to pick up a copy of the ‘Walking With Giants’ walking trail booklet that has recently been published by Wellington LA 21 Group. I found it a bit of a challenge figuring out how to gain access to the Council Offices where I had been advised that I would be able to obtain the booklet. I reticently pressed the intercom button on what seemed to be the most likely place to gain access and explained why I was there. I was greeted with a warm welcome and almost immediately someone came to the door with booklet in hand.
I wasn’t able to read all of the booklet before it was time for me to join another Ramblers ‘Walking for Wellbeing’ walk, this time starting in Wellington. Three levels of walk were on offer and I opted for the walk that could split into a shorter version half way through if I thought the longer walk was too much.
The leader set off at a speedy pace towards Apley Woods leaving me to walk alongside another walk leader a few paces behind the rest of the group. We caught up with the main group when they paused to look at some goslings next to the lake. There was talk of taking photos for the FaceBook page and wondering if they would be good enough. I offered to take some on my camera and produced it from my bag to exclamations of ‘a real camera’ and ‘are you a professional?’.
Then we were back on our speedy way with no time to take in our surroundings, the potential splitting the walk into two walks had been forgotten along the way. I enjoyed the conversations with my walking companion, we walked past both our houses and found that we had many other common connections.
This walk saw me complete my first ‘Lord of the Rings’ challenge, walking from the Shire to Bree and also my 70 miles for ‘The Queens Platinum Jubilee’ challenge (both medals yet to be dispatched). Now I just need to complete my pledged 100 miles for May’s ‘National Walking Month’.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2022, Get Telford Walking, Lord of the Rings, Naomi, National Walking Month, Race the Distance, Ramblers wellbeing walks, Shropshire, The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Challenge, Walking With Giants, Wellington LA 21 Group
Today I joined the Ramblers ‘Walking for Wellbeing’ walk that started at Horsehay golf course. The walk was mostly along places I had never been before, although it incorporated two places with memories for me.
The first one being the road leading to where my hubbie’s house was before we got married. The second took me further back in time to when I first moved to Telford (although it wasn’t called that then). My dad took a job that saw him working on the Dawley New Town project which later became Telford Development Corporation.
The occupant of the house my parents were purchasing was rather tardy in moving out which led us to live in temporary accommodation in Pool Hill Road, Dawley. On our walk I had a flash back memory when we crossed the now defunct railway line that backed onto our Dawley house and the day a train came screeching along the line scaring me to death. In this house I also remember being extremely ill with the measles which led to my shortsightedness.
In case you are wondering, these are happy memories.
Our walk soon led us away from my nostalgic memories and onto pathways new to me, eventually walking along the edge of the golf course and joining the T50 trail and the Shropshire Way before returning to the club house for refreshments.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2022, Get Telford Walking, Horsehay, Ramblers wellbeing walks, Shropshire
Today was the first day of the ‘Get Telford Walking’ event. I joined one of the regular Stirchley ‘Rambler’s Wellbeing’ walks.
There were only four of us on the walk that took us past Madebrook Pools and into Telford Town Park. One of the ladies had a request stop; Dawley and Stirchley station. Our walk then led us out of the Town Park through Stirchley village along pathways I have never walked before. The last part of the walk was especially enjoyable for me as I love exploring places that are new to me.
View video on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIHO-stj4Ps&t=2s
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2022, Ramblers wellbeing walks, Shropshire, Stirchley, Stirchley Village, Telford Town Park
After a busy morning taking my mum for a booster jab and to pick up some plants for her garden pots there was one last thing left to do, call in at the butchers for our weekly supply. It was lunch time so we decided to have lunch in Kinch’s Bistro in the butcher’s before purchasing our meat. I loved the option of picking my own toastie fillings and chose turkey and apple sauce. The sandwich was delicious and to my delight my favourite tipple, Elderflower Presse was available.
In the afternoon we had reason for a brief visit to Ironbridge. Brief visit concluded, I had a small window of opportunity for a short walk before it was time to get ready for an 80th birthday celebration meal.
Before I set of on my walk I dusted off my ‘old’ Tilley for the sunny afternoon adventure. I have missed her.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2022, 80th Birthday, Anthony's of Wellington, Birthday Celebrations, Celebrations, Ironbridge, Kinch's Bistro, Secret Ingredient, Tilley, Tilley Hat
I had hoped to join Walking With Giants Wellington Town Tour that was part of last weekend’s Wellington festival but a family birthday gathering prevented me from doing so.
Today I went search of the booklet of the walking trail, firstly in Morrison’s then later I walked to Wellington, via the station to see if I could get a copy in Wellington Civic and Leisure Centre. I failed in my mission (I suspect the booklet hasn’t been printed yet), but enjoyed my afternoon ‘there and back again’ walk.
My next mission is to try and print the online PDF of the walking with giants heritage trail so that it comes out in booklet form. Then I will be able to walk the route (which takes in many familiar places too me), armed with additional information on the places I know and the places I have missed as I walk past them.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #Walk1000miles2021, LA 21, Peace Gardens, Shropshire, Walking With Giants, Wellington, Wellington Station, Wellington Walkers are Welcome
Cerne Abbas is a charming and quaint village that is world renowned for the Cerne Giant, a 180 ft high ancient chalk figure carved out into the steep sloping hillside above the village.
The origins of the Giant, now owned by the National Trust, are a mix of fact and speculation. Some believe that he represents the Roman god Hercules or that he is a Pagan fertility symbol. There is no known historical record before 1694, however recent studies suggest the giant was first made by the Saxons between AD 700 and 1100.
The village of Cerne Abbas grew around a great Benedictine Abbey, which was founded in AD 987 however the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century sadly saw the Abbey destroyed. Remains of the Abbey can still be seen today and are well worth a visit. Despite the loss of the Abbey the village managed to not just survive but prosper; Cerne’s fresh underground water supply fuelling a highly successful brewing trade. The quality beer was sold as far afield as London and was even exported to the Americas. Due to this industry, Cerne Abbas at one time boasted no fewer than 15 public houses with a population of only 1500. Waterpower also gave rise to many other small industries including milling and silk weaving.
Tags: 15th Century Preaching Cross, Abbey Street Pond, Cerne Abbas, Cerne Abbey, Dorset, St Augustine's Well, St Mary's Church, Vacation
