LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

We alighted from Bus 900 at the nearest bus stop from the Queen's Head public house, Meriden and started the Coventry Way along Eaves Green Lane towards Eaves Green. Soon after Walsh Lane we met some protestors on Day 312 of their 24 hour vigil against development of green belt land by gypsies. We gave them our support and continued through Eaves Green to a gate and stile, just after the caravan park. After a couple of muddy fields we sat on a small log horse jump and put on our gaiters. We continued through Meriden Shafts Wood to Hollyberry End and Ivy House Farm where we turned left onto Harvest Hill Lane. At a sharp left bend we crossed a couple of fields northwards to Birchley Hays Wood. There the 'Heart of England Way' parted from the 'Coventry Way' on the edge of the wood. We soon passed a rope suspended waste bin on the east periphery footpath of Birchley Hays Wood, to our pleasant surprise. The path deviated slightly from the official way on the map around Birchley Hill Farm to Windmill Lane. We passed the windmill to a welcome pint in the Red Lion public house at Corley Moor. It was a very muddy footpath from the pub to the M6 motorway and its substantial footbridge. We ate lunch on the bridge watching the busy M6 traffic. The kissing gate just north of the motorway splits the Coventry Way from the 'North Arden Trail – Parish Loop'. Care was required at Red Hill on the B4098, the way sign being partly hidden by a gate to the footpath alongside a residential house. The path was directly through New Spinney by Red Hill Farm and ponds. We followed the path carefully directly across a field of crops to Square Lane reservoir. There were quiet lanes to Breach Oak Farm with its pond and willow trees. Great care was needed whilst walking along the pathless Ashley Lane into Bedworth Heath, the most dangerous part of the way so far. The walk ended at Four Lane ends garage where we caught Bus No 57.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk
Start at Crackley Finish at Meriden

Hazards: None.