“Tempted by Tenbury!”
Mike, Val and Roy’s Midweek Ramble – 9 May
During our long winding journey around 8.30am toward Tenbury Wells we noticed an old “penny farthing” being gingerly cycled. We gathered at 9.30am at “the Round House” Mike led us up Teme Street to the rear of schoolgrounds towards outskirts to reach Terrills Lane up across grassy meadows to the first obstacle but with prepared foam tube we all crossed the barbed wire stile which took us up Haws Hill woods (where on recci Mike lost/found his wallet) to go right on the first escarpment to reach the top of the ridge. So quiet and peaceful and then a superfast jet flew overhead. Bearing left along this ridge we headed down a long track and took left wonky stile to a meadow. We saw unusual new animal/bird pens belonging to Farmer Brown. Crossing a paddock and onto the B4214, walking up right we soon came to a left junction signed “golf course”. This lane took us into a farm yard, bearing right of the farm across more grassy meadows/orchard we headed down a steep slope which led us to a Nature Reserve alongside Kyre Brook and onto a track. Another doggy stile into a mowed pathway right and down a slope by a house which has permissive path through their garden and bridge over Kyre Brook but today no time, so we chugged up a very steep bank to the oak tree where a tractor was sowing bean seeds, the soil Marley red. Diagonally down the slope to the gate and a children’s huge slide which was looking tempting except for barking dogs. The field left took us round a grassy corner through a coppice and the path where another tractor was “muck spreading” which led us to the “stepping stones”. Three ramblers gave this a miss and took shortcut to the town centre but the others bravely crossed the stones which had Kyre Brook flowing over them and only one slipped into the water. Back at Tenbury Wells we enjoyed a reasonably priced lunch and cuppa at TAPs café, Teme Street. The afternoon walk at 2pm headed over the bridge left by what remains of the old Motte and Bailey Castle . Through the field occupied by many bullocks who were curious to see us – Val was last in the field and first out over the stile. Glyn was keen to manage the bullocks for us and surviving the bullocks we safely walked the track through nursery orchards. We reached the lovely church “St Mary’s” which led us straight into Burford House (1728) Nursery where the footpath crosses left of the pool and left over the stiles (recent flooding would have cut off this path) through to the Millennium Community Orchards which looked pretty in pink blossom. Crossing over A456 and right at the farmyard, through muddy gateway up into a meadow for a sit down when Tenbury history was read out. Through a wood, over a brook and up grassy hill passing a shed and up the lane (house with tennis court) to junction to walk right down a long road to left taking us very steeply up a concrete road to the farm meeting the friendly lamb who liked Glyn – just as a HUGE Hercules aeroplane flew above our heads. We chatted to Farmer Thomas whose relations own “Woodlands” at Evesham. Pressing on, avoiding the Bull fenced off, we walked down the long road back to the factory Kerry’s (who used to make Irn Bru) and back into Teme Street, where Hazel gave a Vote of Thanks to the three leaders.Val
“Wandering around Wadborough”
Rachel and Geoff’s Short Ramble – 16 May
After some gloriously warm weather, which had dried up all the mud, this 5.2 mile ramble started off under cloudy skies.
After welcoming our visitor, Peter Viggers, we set off from the Plough and Harrow along a quiet lane, admiring sculptures in the gardens, before turning off onto a footpath that took us to Deerfold Wood. The chatting leader missed the gap in the hedge, which led to a short detour, but gave us super views of Bredon Hill.
As we walked through the woods, we kept a vigilant eye open for a lynx, which Val told us had been sighted in the woods (apparently!). We were obviously a frightening bunch and it kept well hidden!! However, a noisy chiffchaff kept us company and the bluebells and wild garlic gave a lovely display.
After a short walk along a lane we joined the Millennium Way which took us through Wadborough, with clear views towards the Malvern Hills and open countryside. After clambering over several awkward stiles, which must have been designed by someone with very long legs, we reached Stoulton Woods.
Here we left the Millennium Way and made our way across a typical Worcestershire landscape (an old orchard with grazing sheep and lambs). When we reached our starting point we were joined by Audrey and her friend from New Zealand and we enjoyed a well-earned meal.
Claire was hoping to join us on this ramble, but unfortunately had a fall a few days earlier which resulted in a broken shoulder. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Rachel
“Teme Talk!”
Paul and Frances’s Sunday Ramble – 20 May
We set off from the Lion Inn at Clifton-on-Teme in glorious sunshine which was to remain with us all day. After leaving the village and crossing a few fields we descended into the so-called Hell Hole, a steep, wooded track leading down to the Teme Valley; I was somewhat relieved when we finally emerged onto the road unscathed, having taken a tumble there myself during an earlier recce! The road led us past Shelsley Walsh where cars were arriving for a hill climb and over the Teme to Shelsley Beauchamp church, where we took our break. I was somewhat concerned about the long, steep climb back to Clifton but I needn’t have worried – I had so underestimated our ramblers’ stamina that we arrived 40 minutes early for lunch at The Lion.
Well fed and watered, we set off westward out of the village and down to the delightful hamlet of Lower Sapey, snuggled deep in the woods around a dark, refreshingly cool pool formed by Sapey Brook. We paused to admire the Church of St Bartholemy, where there has been a religious building since the 8th century. The present one is of Norman origin and is no longer in use but lovingly preserved nevertheless. A remote spot even now – but what could life have been like there a thousand years ago? Hard to imagine… The latter part of the ramble, though not over demanding terrain, was in open country under a hot sun and we were relieved to get back to Clifton at about 4.30 after covering a total of twelve and a half miles, according to Alan’s precise GPS measurements – a mile longer than I had estimated using more primitive methods; for which, my apologies.
Paul W