LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

All the boyz met at Tesco for a breakfast, then travelled to Wroxall for the start of the walk. We parked in a lane behind a school and walked down the lane past the cemetery to the footpath on the left towards Abbey Farm. As we walked through the farm buildings the farmer moved the bulls in the barn so I could take a photo, but the picture was blurred. It was a short walk down the main Birmingham road to the drive for Wood Corner Farm. A slight detour around the farm was needed, into a very muddy field before entering the frosty Hay Wood. We crossed a path in the centre of the wood which was extremely slippery and completely white with frost. Another detour was taken around the Old Keeper's Lodge. After crossing Haywood Lane to Baddesley Clinton Church we enjoyed refreshments from our rucksacks. We inspected the tombstones then continued south past Rowington Coppice to Lyon's Farm. It was a short walk along the lane to Rowington Mill where we continued along the Heart of England Way to Rowington Village. There was a large patch of isolated ice just before the church, probably a small spring freezing as the water emerged. I was surprised to see the church toilet was open, which was welcomed by some of us. We skirted the church down to a brand new kissing gate at the exit of the churchyard, leading to Mouseley End. The footpath was very muddy and icy just before Quarry Lane. There was a horse in the mud by a stile. We walked along Case Lane and turned left into Wroxall Estate just before The Case is Altered public house. We took a short detour from the footpath to see the Abbey, Church and Priory ruins as we passed the entrance road. As we left the buildings and entered the park we could see several semi-circular walks in a row, but then realised it was probably the reverse side of a walled garden with a curved wall to create sun traps. From the park we crossed the main road to a short footpath to the car. After changing footwear we drove to The Case is Altered Public House for a welcome pint. Another good day's walking enjoyed by all.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk
Wroxall

Hazards: None.