LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Parked car in parking area at 12:15pm on Brindley Road near Flints Corner and cycled to Milford Village via Commonwealth War cemetery, Chase Road Corner and Brocton Village. Locked bicycle against parking meter and started walking back to car, passing through the fence from the car park and up the hill to Milford Common. Steady ascent to a pool near Long Mere where the scenery opened out into a wonderful panorama of steep rolling hills of heath land. As I passed close to a few buildings the 'Way' started to follow an old railway bed, passing Mere Pool en-route to the top of Coppice Hill. As I passed Mere Pool I had memories of Walk number 632, where I stood on the large cubic metal chamber and first did my strong man pose, much to my Cousins' delight. Steady ascent along the bed of the old railway track to Coppice Hill with good views west of Brocton village surrounding area. Some of the trees in Coppice Wood had fallen, showing their root system, probably due to the winter winds and rain. I crossed the car park onto the open expanse of the Chase with fine views east across Sherbrook Valley to the woods on the horizon. The Staffordshire Way joined the route from the east and soon turned west at the Brocton Field OS column. A few metres from the column is the Glacial Boulder, well worth a visit. I continued over Brocton Field, along Track 4 to an intersection of wide tracks. The signs clearly show a right fork to Chase Corner Car Park. At the car park I was harassed by a barking dog who persistently ignored the owners commands. I skirted the car park to avoid the dog's further threats and discovered that I had taken the wrong path. I soon recovered the correct path and continued through Anson's Bank to Springslade Lodge by the tarmac road. A sharp turn east past the Katyn Memorial towards Sherbrook Valley. Here the track was typical for the Chase and the very dry conditions. Very stoney and dusty. I had to pick my footsteps with care, despite wearing substantial walking boots. As I passed the conifer trees in the valley I was surprised to see the ground littered with cones. Nature working hard again. Another sharp turn from cycle track 135 to track 134, this time to the south/east towards Flints Corner. Take care when crossing Penkridge Road, the vehicles speed because of the straight road. After the main road the track takes a couple of confusing 'dog legs'. Essentially the route is straight ahead to Flints Corner and the end of the walk. Just before Marquis Drive at Flints Corner the trees had been recently felled, producing the usual mess of branches and twigs littering the forest floor. From the corner I crossed Brindley Heath to the car park and my return journey to Milton Village, to collect the bicycle. A perfect day on Cannock Chase, hoping to return shortly.

- www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: from Milford Village 397300/321080, - Finish: Flints Corner 399990/315835, - via: Cannock Chase 397985/317560. (Click on location and use Zoom).