Return of The Shakespeare Stroll

I do have to confess I find it very hard to walk when it is hot so, looking out of my Hermit’s Cave I am pleased to see changes afoot in the countryside beyond my Exercise Yard. The blistering summer heat is subsiding. We are promised some rain too. In fact I see it falling now outside my cave. Temperatures are falling and the countryside has greened in gratitude to the rain. There is even some danger of my having to cut the lawn! The very idea.

In addition I have made a commitment to another September Stroll and I need to give some thought to the route and more importantly, refreshment stops. Last year we walked two decent routes, bearing in mind we are walkers of a certain age, this allows supporters to join us for the weekend; the day or any part thereof. A couple of decent pubs were included allowing walkers to take part of refreshment should they wish.

Last years Stroll went really well. The weather was kind to us and we had great fun walking the routes with friends – and raising a little over £1100 for the Shakespeare Hospice, Stratford On Avon, in some thanks for their marvellous help they gave my wife – and myself, during her final illness. Was it really nearly four years ago?

Last years routes were roughly follows. Both walks departed St Nicholas’ Church Alcester at 10:00am then Day 1. Depart Alcester through the Roman Way portal. Cross the A435 and follow the footpath crossing the A422 Worcester Rd. Then up to The Ridgeway at Weethley. Pass the church and down hill following the path to Wood Bevington before crossing the B4088 to Dunnington. Next, refreshments at The Fish Inn at Wixford before following the Roman Road back to Alcester.

Day 2. Depart via the Footbridge portal. Then through Oversley. Take the path up to Oversley Wood car park. Down lane crossing Trench Lane. Through the fields to Haselor then pass the church to Walcote and over the fields to Aston Cantlow and The Kings Head. Return via Little Leigh and The Monarchs Way all the way to the Alcester Trig point and thence to returning to the start.

This year I am hoping to use the newly-re-opened Mother Huff Cap in Great Alne as our refreshment stop. So with that in mind SHWF and I switched on the Walkers App and set off on a bright but slightly draughty day. The route was as already described above for Day 2. However having paused at Walcote we crossed the lane and set off towards Great Alne. Hidden buzzards mewed as we walked but it was not until we reached the river that we actually saw a couple circling high above us. We circumnavigated Great Alne Mill and then through the fields, crossing the old railway line to emerge on the B4089 and thence to lunch.

SHWF and I often lunch as part of our walks. Usually when the walking is done. Today was different. We still had some distance to go and it took some time to get the stiff legs working again as we followed the first part of our journey along the old railway line until we emerged into fields. Our path, to the left, diagonally bisected a newly-harvested field towards Kinwarton Dovecote.

Through the village, we crossed the fields and over the River Alne footbridge to the lane towards the main road. Then home via Oversley and the portal through which we originally departed.

Distances shown on the plan below are to/from from my home so approximately one mile should be added to the route from St Nicholas’ Church and it could be extended by routing the inward journey via The Monarchs Way and the Alcester Trig Point.

will be giving some thought to the second route over the next few days and I will be launching my Just Giving page too. So please look out for that both here and on my Facebook page.