LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Parked in Back Lane Mickleton at 12:45pm and started cycling to Dorsington Village, via Broad Marston Road to Pebworth, then Dorsington Road, to arrive at 13:30pm. Three quarters of an hour cycling. Another northernly wind, always against the wind when cycling along the Heart of England Way. Locked cycle to fence and started walking to Mickleton. What a sad society we live in when we have to continually worry about the security of our hard earned property. Way overgrown along Holeham Brook from start of walk to Long Marston. Path visible but flora very tall at height of the growing season. Official way crosses the corner of a horses field for 10 metres just before Long Marston. Easy to walk around the corner of the field to prevent disturbing the horses. I'm chicken really. Smart houses along Wyre Lane, Long Marston to Strafford Greenway. Memories of recent walk. See Walk 716. Delightful walk past ponds to edge of Long Marston Airfield. Here the Way becomes a narrow path around 'Doctor's Farm'. Beware of pot holes hidden by vegetation along this narrow path. Crossed the busy B4632 road and continued into Lower Quinton Village. Road extremely busy during the Bulldog Bash. Short walk along Goose Lane to Upper Quinton and its huge village green. Passed a house unusually named 'Itlldo', or 'It will do', on Hill Lane. After the village the path crosses an ancient ridged and furrow field, the result of a system of ploughing used in the Middle Ages. As Meon Hill is skirted, there are good views across the Vale to Evesham to Bredon Hill and the Malvern Hills. Steady descent through the corn fields to Gran Brook and the county of Gloucestershire. Short walk into Mickleton with the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds Hills.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: from Dorsington Village 413408/249798, - Finish: at Mickleton Village 416123/243832, - via: Lower Quinton 417800/247145. (Click on location and use Zoom and BACK Buttons).

Always follow map carefully. Care required north of Long Marston, path may be overgrown in high summer. Care also required at Upper Quinton to follow road to top side of houses before skirting footpath around Meon Hill.