A walk to Dothill Nature Reserve and back through Apley Woods taking the long way round.

I wasn’t able to fit in one of the scheduled T50 trail walks that all converged in Telford Town Centre. Instead I had a solo (5 Mile)  afternoon walk along parts of the T50 trail to get to my favourite local nature reserve. I was rewarded with lush green lined pathways and fluffy delights.

I lingered a little too long enjoying the fluffy delights leaving me to walk at a pace to get home in time for our planned family visit at around 4pm.

I started my graffiti walk at Leegomery Centre, walking along the Silkin Way. The first graffiti that I noticed was on the pathway just beyond the plunge pool.

I will only share some of the graffiti because I don’t wish to promote the conspiracy theory/political message that the graffiti artist was promoting. Some of the graffiti had been erased since my last walk, but sadly the offensive messages still remain.

As I approached Tee Lake the graffiti trail petered out. I noticed that the winter mud had disappeared allowing me explore new areas by the lake and walk around most of the lake. I had the perfect window of opportunity soon that pathway will be overgrown and inaccessible again.

In early 2020 an unexpected virus arrived affecting our lives, causing us to stay at home for a while to stop the virus spreading and getting out of control. During this time Captain Tom Moore inspired many people with his uplifting spirit of life and walks round his garden to raise money for the NHS.

It was an honour to walk in memory of him on the day of his funeral and pledge my miles as a donation to his Charity Foundation. I was joining others from the #walk1000miles community walking their own miles to celebrate his life.

Mr C accompanied me for what turned out to be a 5 mile walk so my donation will be doubled to £20.

After lunch I took advantage of a sunny interlude to go on an afternoon jaunt. I took in Little Apley Pool and Tee Lake before making my way home along the Silkin Way.

I had another encounter with a dog that wanted to be by me. I had stepped off the pathway to let the owners and their two dogs go by (with social distancing in mind). One of the dogs had other ideas. He came over to me, looked up at me and stood by my feet.

He refused all calls to go back. As he turned to his humans he buried his nose in the soggy leaves and retrieved a stick that was completed concealed to my eye, still staying at me feet. I have to confess it always makes me feel special when a dog greets me in this way

The owner came to retrieve him, apologising in my face they did so. So much for me trying to respect social distancing…

I beat a hasty retreat and continued my walk home without further incidents.

Yesterday afternoon I had the opportunity to take a longer walk to Dothill Nature Reserve.

I spent as much time walking there and back as I did in the Nature Reserve.

I will do it differently next time. I will park near to one of the entry points which will allow me more time to enjoy exploring the Nature Reserve