Worcestershire wanderings

We left Upton and the White Lion, whose staff had looked after us so well. They, of course had a torrid time during the flooding as well, but there is a certain stoic amongst the residents we spoke to. They are obviously well prepared, one house on the riverside has a door in the eaves - escape or entry?

We continued along the banks of the Severn, disturbing a heronry, whose residents were clearly enjoying a Sunday morning lie in, for we were resoundingly admonished by these prehistoric like birds.

Everyone we meet to chat to, tells us that we are going uphill and today my case was proven when we came to a road called Madge Hill. The photo hasn't made it today but maybe at a later date.

Throughout the course of the morning we have been accompanied by the Malverns to the west, and I think they may have protected us from the rain we were 'promised'.

During our journey, today, we have passed a gravel pit, that has been reinstated as a wildfowl reserve (unofficially) and there was a wonderful variety of species that would even make Slimbridge envious. In addition to birds we have already seen there were; oyster catcher, lapwing, terns, golden eye, and so many more (she hadn't got the eye-spy book with her today!).

We passed oast houses, a relic of the days when the county had a thriving hop industry, now much depleted.

We passed an incredible amount of damage resulting from the floods; hundreds of bamboo canes washed up, rubbish literally miles from the river but deposited by it, and mud - bizarrely worse either side of the city of Worcester.

We passed a clay pigeon club, making horrid banging noises (I don't like banging noises - my tail goes right underneath me and touches my nose!)

We passed a yacht club, where we were given some really useful information with regard to our journey north, and I guess dad is going to have his nose back in the maps tonight.

Mum used to go to Worcester a lot on business, but had never really appreciated the historic architectural gems that there are there. We wandered along the riverside, past the cathedral, and over Worcester Bridge, where there were well over a hundred of last years cygnets gathered and waiting for the next stage in their gracious lives.

At lunchtime we needed to have our main meal as there will be nowhere to eat this evening. We struggled to find somewhere where I would be welcome and in the end, as by now it was raining, we had an excellent Sunday lunch in the outside smoking area of restaurant in the park! Most people looking to satisfy their habit were kind enough to use the umbrellas, but there were some who, quite rightly, exercised their right.

The rain passed over and we continued our journey to Hallow, where we shall spend the night.

Keep spreading the word.

M
xx