LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

West Midlands Way  No. 34              Total 179 miles

Time Taken:  2.50 hrs   Distance:   Enjoyment:    Weather:  Humid
   5:30 am - 8:00 pm        7 miles          80%             Sunny and Warm

Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:     Wild Life:
  18oC        90%        0%        Good        Very Dry    Bluebells, Rabbits, Hare

Total AA:    Total MH:   Total LD:    Total AW:     Other:    Total Distance:
676.5 mls    730.5 mls   1691.5 mls      100.5         889 mls        4088 miles

Companions:  (Derek)  Walking Alone

Points of Interest:
Gorcott Hill    Source of River Alne      Pink Green     Bayliss Green
Heath Green         Rykneild Street (Roman Road)     Rowney Green

Hobb Hill  -  597 feet (182 metres)

General:
Final leg of Way. Thirty fourth day's walking on 'West Midlands Way'.
172 to 179 miles. Started cycling from Alvechurch at 4:45 pm. Steady
pace with little head wind, but undulating for 6 miles. Had to walk twice,
up Church Hill Beoley and Moss Lane Gorcott Hill. Locked cycle to hedge
by field entrance gate at Gorcott Hill. Started walking at 5:30 pm from
Old Berrow Lane and immediately turned off lane alongside the source of
the River Alne. Passed two delightful timbered cottages at Wapping,
called 'Mount Pleasant' and 'Wren's Net', before descending steeply down
Moss Lane to Pink Green Hills Farm. Steep ascent back up to the lovely
Pink Green Farm and riding stables. Very tall grass over next few fields
to Heath Green. Continued ahead by Chapel Farm from lane to a flooded
track. Thought at first that there was a leak because the way until this
point had been dry. To my amazement the whole length of the lane was
extremely wet with huge puddles. I had to walk on the verges in the
stinging nettles on several occassions. Cross stile just before Hob Hill
Farm entrance. Pass through gates and alongside huge riding sheds to
open fields. Head for OS trig point on top of Hob Hill. No cattle in
fields, hence tall grass, until Lilley Green Hall Farm where I was
contronted by a cow, due I'm sure to the calfs in the field. Good views
of Lickey Hills and Redditch from hills around Romney Green. Passed
another 'Rose Cottage' on left of lane before Rowney Lodge Farm. Good
path from this lane the remainder of the Way to Alvechurch. Interesting
large village, take a good look around to see the 'Old House' and visit
St Lawrence Church. Finished walking at 8:00 pm. www.streetmap.co.uk
Start 409660/268595, Finish 402635/272500, via 407040/272120
 
Hazards:
Always be prepared to get your feet wet, even when the ground conditions
are generally good. There could always be an unexpected wet lane with
lots of large deep muddy puddles. May be the result of a local heavy
thunderstorm. Avoid cows with young calfs, or be brave. Care required
around the riding stables of Hob Hill Farm. Signs to Hob Hill not obvious
and the ponies in the fields always trot over expecting a tit bit.