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