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LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOODDerek Harwood's Walking Records If you have any queries about the pictures or descriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com | |||||
COUSINS' WALK - Walk in a Million
Monday 11th December 2006 ................................Walk No. 686 |
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COUSINS' WALK No. 10 Total 85.5 miles Time Taken: 3.75 hrs Distance: Enjoyment: Weather: Dull 10:49 am - 2:33 pm 8 miles 85% Varied & Interesting Walk Temp: Cloud: Rain: Visibility: Ground Conditions: Wild Life: Horses 7oC 98% None Average Poor Kingfisher Total AA: Total MH: Total LD: Total AW: Other: Total Distance: 1027.5 mls 931.5 mls 1823.5 mls 162 mls 1022.5 mls 4976 miles Companions: (Derek) Ken, Larry & Dennis Points of Interest and LINKS: Kinver Village Dunsley Stewponey Canal Lock Stafford & Worcester Canal Stourbridge Canal River Stour Devil's Den The Million Wood Blundies Enville Village Enville Ale Enville Church Enville Hall Staffordshire WayDescription: Started the walk from Kinver High Street Car Park (Free), soon after the heavy rain stopped. Walked along High Street past the War Memorial and the swollen River Stour to the 'Kinver & West Midlands Society of Model Engineers' property where we took a photo of the narrow gauge railway and station. We continued along a good path past fields of horses and bungalows built along the river bank in the village of Dunsley. At the river weir we crossed the lane and climbed over the stile into the wood with the meandering River Stour. From the wood we climbed the slope to the open fields and the A458 Bridgenorth Road. Care required crossing the main road to Stewponey Canal Wharf. Walked on the canal towpath from the Wharf past the Stourbridge Canal Junction, in the sunshine, to the aqueduct of the River Stour by Devil's Den, a natural cave in the rock alongside the canal. From the canal we noticed a small flock of birds, probably sparrows in the surrounding trees, squirrels foraging for acorns on the canal bank and a Kingfisher which flews past us. We left the canal at Bridge Number 34, onto a path passing Gothersley Farm. As we passed the farm along a muddy lane, a shepherd dog came bounding out of the farm barking fiercely. We took a defensive position as the dog owner called from the farm. The dog retreated to our relief. Continued up the lane to 'The Million' wood and into a completely different environment of trees. Broad path through the wood to the road alongside Enville Common. We carefully walked along the right hand side of the road, facing the oncoming vehicles. We soon left the road, taking the path into Enville Common and onto the Blundies at Enville Village. Here we suddenly became thirsty as we approached 'The Cat Inn', but unfortunately the public house is closed on a Monday. So we reluctantly walked past to the entrance gates of Enville Hall Estate, following the Staffordshire Way. Leisurely walk up the drive past the Hall outbuildings to the first field, where we stopped for refreshments overlooking the Hall. Onwards past the pond and the lane with a fenced cave in the rocks to the country road to Compton Village. Over the road and continuing on the Staffordshire Way we walked along an ancient sunken path to the road at While Hill Farm. Along the road for a short distance to another Staffordshire Way sign where we climbed the slope in a small wood to fields on the outskirts of Kinver Village. At this point there were signs of recent work cutting out the hedges and trees by a power line. To our surprise one tree remained which completely surrounded the power cables. Why leave this tree alone? Down the slope into Kinver following a good path. Straight onwards through the alleyways to Compton Gardens, Stone Lane and the High Street. Yet another good walk with good weather with the boyz. Location: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start & Finish: from Kinver Village 449050/076695, - via: Stourton Canal Junction 449570/078780, - via: Million Wood 450550/076755. (Click on location and use Zoom). Hazards: Care required while walking along the canal towpath and roads. Always walk on the right hand side of the road facing the oncoming traffic. Be aware of angry farm dogs. It may be advisable to carry a walking stick for defence or to help jump across muddy patches. Click Here to Return to 'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage | |||||
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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2006 Devised: December 2006 |