15/03/14

Marvellous weather, clear and sunny, quite a breeze on the hills  A few others on top of Caer Caradoc, some runners going up Hope Bowdler and then a chap on the top who asked if there was anywhere better to be – I agreed not.

Down to the road and then up Hazler Hill and along to Ragleth.  Steep descent into Little Stretton, where I had an orange juice in the pub (I wanted to use the lav) and popped into a little shop – the village seemed a bit ‘local’.

Up via Cross Dyke to the road across the Long Mynd; exchanged a few words with a woman who seemed to be a kindred spirit.  Beautiful valleys with wild camping potential.   On to the summit of Pole Bank where there seemed to be some wheelchair accessible paths – great opportunity for everyone to experience the hills.  From the toposcope I could identify the distant hills I had been able to see all day – the Malverns, Clee Hills, bits of the Brecon Beacons and, on the edge of visibility, where the clouds and the peaks become indistinguishable, Snowdonia.

I think I took a different path than that intended but found my way down Carding Mill Valley.  It suddenly got much busier and I eventually reached a National Trust car park and cafe.  Back into Church Stretton for an outside beer (first of the year) and lots of tense rugby fans.

 14 miles

Caer Caradoc Hill; Marilyn, 459 m

Hope Bowdler Hill; HuMP, 426 m

Ragleth Hill; HuMP, 398 m

Long Mynd; Dewey, Marilyn, 516 m