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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 | |||||
HEART OF ENGLAND WAY Creswell Green to Horse to Horse & Jockey Public House Tuesday 5th June 2007 ..................................Walk No. 697 |
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HEART OF ENGLAND WAY No. 3 Total 17.5 miles Time Taken: 3.25 hrs Distance: Enjoyment: Weather: Warm & Sunny 12:50 pm - 3:30 pm 5.5 miles 90% Little Breeze Temp: Cloud: Rain: Visibility: Ground Conditions: Wild Life: Poppies 21oC 25% None Very Good Excellent Rabbits, Squirrels Total AA: Total MH: Total LD: Total AW: Other: Total Distance: 1027.5 mls 931.5 mls 1841 mls 162 mls 1099 mls 5061 miles Companions: (Derek) Points of Interest and LINKS: Heart of England Way Pipe Hall Farm Pipe Green Lichfield Lichfield Walk Visit Lichfield Lichfield Information Lichfield Railway Lichfield Canal Lichfield Cathedral Lichfield Cathedral Photos Horse & JockeyDescription:
Parked car in empty car park of Horse & Jockey Public House on Tamworth Road at noon (with permission) and started to cycle to Cresswell Green Village. Crossed over the bridge of the A38 Truck Road and soon spotted a canal lock gate next to the road, but no water to be seen. Parked my bike to investigate, soon realising that this was a restoration project to restore the canal to its former glory. Without water it is surprising to see how shallow the canals are in reality. Continued cycling through the town, past the shopping precincts and the Cathedral to the A51 main road. Crossed the road with care and noticed a gathering of youths in white sun hats, all kitted out for a day's walking. Progressed along the narrow Abnalls Lane of Cycle Route 54, past the rock outcrops and Pipe Hall entrance, to a gated road through Spade Green. Turned right from the gated road up Hobstone Hill Lane to the junction of Little Pipe Lane, passing a colony of squirrels. One youngster didn't realise I was passing close and continued rummaging around in the roadside. I stopped for a close observation and a rest. After Little Pipe Lane junction and the top of Hobstone Hill, it was a free-wheel ride into Cresswell Green Village. Locked bike against a large post in 'The Nelson' Pub Car Park at 12:50 pm and started walking back into Lichfield. Soon crossed plank over Bilson Brook and reached a dead end alongside the brook. I took the right fork soon after the plank instead of the left fork into the adjacent field. The field was occupied by horses, but surprisingly full of buttercups. The next field beside the brook was normal grass without the buttercups, but this field had a portable toilet. No obvious works taking place in the area. Just a new clean Portaloo in the middle of the field. I thought about using the facility but expected 'Candid Camera' to be around. You shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. Why not? Entered Ford Lane by the Chorley Village Sign and turned right past Brook Cottages up hill to Keeper's Lodge. Over the footpath stile, at the sharp corner of Dark Lane, alongside Keeper's Cottage, between the hedges and into a grand view of the local countryside. Passed the first group of youths in white hats while crossing Ashmore Brook near Pipe Coppice. Shortly after I met the second group who asked about the progress of the first group. They were heading for Castle Ring. I hadn't the nerve to explain that Castle Ring was the highest point of Cannock Chase. As I was passing the rock outcrops on Abnall Lane I passed the third group of youths. This time four girls. I explained that the boys where miles in front. They didn't hurry, obviously no film star potential in any of the boys. Just after the dyslexic school I turned off the lane into Pipe Green fields. To my surprise I passed the forth group of the youthes. They were obviously trying to catch up with the girls. It was the best time of the year for poppies. Most of the fields had a few wild poppies sprinkled around the hedgerows, especially near Pipe Coppice and on Pipe Green. Crossed the A51 with care to Lichfield Golf Course and Beacon Park. Walked up Shaw Lane to Beacon Street, passing the traditional public house 'The George and Dragon', the 'Probate Court' and 'Free Library' to The Close which surrounds the magnificent Lichfield Cathedral. I was so impressed with the detail on the stonework that I took far too many photos. Horray for the digital camera. A quick visit to the Cathedral before I continued through the City Centre Precincts to the suburbs and well kept residential areas. Navigated the passageways to the Tamworth Road and the Horse & Jockey Pub using the 'Heart of England Way' markers in the pavements. A very clever idea to reduce the impact of the signs in built-up areas. Drove back to Cresswell Green to collect my bicycle. Another excellent day's walking in the warm sunshine.
Location:
- www.streetmap.co.uk, -
Start: from Creswell Green Village 407330/310400, -
Finish: at Horse & Jockey Public House 413648/308245, -
via: Lichfield Cathedral 411545/309760. (Click on location and use Zoom and BACK Button).
Hazards:
Take care with the traffic along Abnalls Lane and crossing the main roads. Allow more time to visit the Cathedral, the Market Place and the Museums. I hope to return one day. Study the map carefully and follow the pavement 'Way' signs through the residential area of South Lichfield.
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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2007 Devised: June 2007 |