LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Parked car in empty car park of Nelson public house, Creswell Green, at noon and cycled to start of walk at Flints Corner on Marquis Drive, Cannock Chase (7.5 miles). Steady cycle uphill from Creswell Green to Gentleshaw Village, then undulating ride to Green Heath and final ascent into The Chase. Parked bicycle against Brindley Road sign and started walking on Way along Marquis Drive. Passing Country Park Visitors Centre, a Commemorative Copse in memory of all who fought and died in Burma campaign, 'Cross Chase' Path and Jockey Hill, to railway level crossing by A460 main road. No trains passed but I was amazed to see the 'Penalty Notice' on top of the gates. A £1000.00 fine for leaving the gates open. Make sure the 'Back Stop' of your walking group is trust worthy. The Drive continues from the road past the water works and up a valley blessed with rhododendron bushes amongst the trees. Care required after about half a mile from the main road at the first major intersection. Take the left fork past the Seven Springs Pond on the right. Notice the post with the H of E sign by the pond, in-front of the Iris plant in the pond shallows. Steep ascent on track from pond to sign post to Milfin Valley. Continue ahead on good track to Wandon Road Junction, passing old tyres and field of gorse (in full bloom of bright yellow). Turn sharp right at junction and after approx 100 metres, before the 'Cannock Wood' sign, take the track left. After approx another 100 metres take broad muddy strip of grass on right between the trees. coniferous wood on the left and deciduous wood on the right. Follow broad track through Beaudesert Old Park to Castle Ring. Look for rhododendrons on the hills to left around Stonepit Green and tadpoles in pond at low point. Watch for small track to left from wide track, just before Castle Ring, for a direct route to ring via ramparts and ditch. Ring well worth a visit to imagine life 2000 years ago. Memories of car park to Ring, when I lost my camera case during my last visit when walking the 'West Midlands Way'. See Walk number 351. Skirted 'Cannock Wood' village to 'Gentleshaw' village, passing squirrels, rabbits, dog walkers, water works and mums collecting their kids from local infants school. Continued past brick built 'Christ Church' and topless windmill, to path on edge of Gentleshaw Common. Hang glider disturbed the peace as I descended to brook near Meg Lane. As I passed 'The Drill Inn' I was tempted to down a pint, en-route to Green Lane and small fishing pond covered with green algae, just before the end of the walk section at the 'Nelson' public house at Creswell Green. Drove back to The Chase to collect bicycle.

- www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: from Flints Corner on Marquis Drive 399985/315835, - Finish: Creswell Green Village 407330/310400, - via: Castle Ring Hill Fort 404345/312690. (Click on location and use Zoom and BACK Button).

Always study the map to check your location throughout the walk. Cannock Chase has a multitude of paths in all directions. It is always comforting to pass a finger post showing the direction of 'The Heart of England Way'. Cannock Chase and Gentleshaw Common are heathlands and blessed with many different species of wildlife not often found around the lowland countryside. Take extra time to observe this wildlife more closely.