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| JIM TAKES ME BACK TO CASTLETON |
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| CAMPING NEAR UTTOXETER IN FARMER'S GARDEN |
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| PRIZE-WINNING LOO IN UTTOXETER |
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| YOU'RE NEVER ALONE IN THE COUNTRY |
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| HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE FOOTPATHS |
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| BOATS ON BLITHFIELD RESERVOIR |
It was Friday 4
September and, although I woke up at 6.00am, it was late morning before I was
ready to leave Sheffield because I wanted to finish and transmit my blog text
while I had an excellent connection. Jim was very patient. When I was done, he
delivered me back to the same location in Castleton where he had picked me up
on Tuesday. This was just in time for me to start walking at midday.
The day had started with a few promising rays of sun, but my cynicism compelled me to wear my waterproofs anyway. Good call, because it was raining within 10 minutes of me leaving Castleton. My southerly route was via the Limestone Way. I soon discovered that care was needed because my boots (Brasher Hillmasters) tended to slip on the wet limestone path as I climbed through Cave Dale. This problem was soon replaced by another when I found that the next section of the path was shared with cattle, lots of them, and was a total quagmire
Progress quickened significantly once I found myself on some minor tarmac roads and then a disused railway track now designated National Cycle Network route No. 68. The light fades earlier in the evening now, so I really need to consider finding a suitable place to pitch my tent by 7.30pm. It was gone 7.00pm and I fancied a drink. According to my map there was a PH (Public House) close by in the village of Biggin, just off my route. When I reached what turned out to be the Waterloo Arms, not only did they serve alcohol, but also substantial meals at sensible prices and, wait for it, they had a campsite in the back garden for which they didn't charge me. Truly, a backpacker's paradise!
When the hangover wore off in the morning (only joking), I returned to the cycle path. I speed-marched the 6 miles to Tissington, dodging the Saturday morning cyclists and stopping briefly for tea and cakes at the Tissington Hall cafe. I shared a table with a lady named Helen and her two dogs, and enjoyed a pleasant conversation with her. The dogs didn't say much, but looked at me lovingly as I ate.
On leaving Tissington I rejoined the Limestone Way and proceeded to Ellastone. The walk was pleasant, but uninspiring, and when I got to Ellastone I just carried on through as I couldn't find anything interesting enough to persuade me to stay.
Next stop was Rocester, where I purchased something for supper in the local store and enjoyed an hour or so chatting to, and accepting donations from, customers at the Red Lion pub before I continued my way towards Uttoxeter. Since the Limestone Way misses the centre of Uttoxeter, I walked on the generous verge alongside the B5030 instead, eventually camping in a Farmer's garden (with his permission) a mile north of the town. Oh, and for once I had a rain-less day!
I continued into Uttoxeter in the morning and had breakfast at a Subway in the town centre, the only place open on a Sunday, and used the local facilities (code for loo). I discovered a spotlessly clean place with pictures on the walls and ornaments on the shelves that had repeatedly been voted 'Loo of the Year'.
The day had started with a few promising rays of sun, but my cynicism compelled me to wear my waterproofs anyway. Good call, because it was raining within 10 minutes of me leaving Castleton. My southerly route was via the Limestone Way. I soon discovered that care was needed because my boots (Brasher Hillmasters) tended to slip on the wet limestone path as I climbed through Cave Dale. This problem was soon replaced by another when I found that the next section of the path was shared with cattle, lots of them, and was a total quagmire
Progress quickened significantly once I found myself on some minor tarmac roads and then a disused railway track now designated National Cycle Network route No. 68. The light fades earlier in the evening now, so I really need to consider finding a suitable place to pitch my tent by 7.30pm. It was gone 7.00pm and I fancied a drink. According to my map there was a PH (Public House) close by in the village of Biggin, just off my route. When I reached what turned out to be the Waterloo Arms, not only did they serve alcohol, but also substantial meals at sensible prices and, wait for it, they had a campsite in the back garden for which they didn't charge me. Truly, a backpacker's paradise!
When the hangover wore off in the morning (only joking), I returned to the cycle path. I speed-marched the 6 miles to Tissington, dodging the Saturday morning cyclists and stopping briefly for tea and cakes at the Tissington Hall cafe. I shared a table with a lady named Helen and her two dogs, and enjoyed a pleasant conversation with her. The dogs didn't say much, but looked at me lovingly as I ate.
On leaving Tissington I rejoined the Limestone Way and proceeded to Ellastone. The walk was pleasant, but uninspiring, and when I got to Ellastone I just carried on through as I couldn't find anything interesting enough to persuade me to stay.
Next stop was Rocester, where I purchased something for supper in the local store and enjoyed an hour or so chatting to, and accepting donations from, customers at the Red Lion pub before I continued my way towards Uttoxeter. Since the Limestone Way misses the centre of Uttoxeter, I walked on the generous verge alongside the B5030 instead, eventually camping in a Farmer's garden (with his permission) a mile north of the town. Oh, and for once I had a rain-less day!
I continued into Uttoxeter in the morning and had breakfast at a Subway in the town centre, the only place open on a Sunday, and used the local facilities (code for loo). I discovered a spotlessly clean place with pictures on the walls and ornaments on the shelves that had repeatedly been voted 'Loo of the Year'.
The Limestone Way ends at Uttoxeter, but the Staffordshire Way starts there, so I headed south along the latter. The walk was relatively flat and representative of the 'typical English countryside' one sometimes hears described. The morning was warm and involved walking through both horticultural and agricultural farmland. Farmer's waved as they drove by on their tractors. No rest day for them on the Sabbath when the crops need harvesting.
I arrived at the Coach and Horses pub in the village of Abbots Bromley at 1.00pm, and they served me an excellent roast beef dinner. Due to my high calorie burn I have lost several inches off my waist since I started this trek, so I take every opportunity possible to eat.
Next, I headed in the direction of Rugely, briefly stopping to watch the boats on the Blithfield Reservoir. Leaving the Staffordshire Way as I crossed the River Trent, I passed though the west side of Rugely and stopped to send some emails at The Horns Inn pub in the unusual sounding village of Slitting Mill. The staff there took a particular interest in my trek and said that they would collect for the charities on my behalf. Brilliant! We did a photo shoot at the front of the pub before I left, which was all too soon, but I needed to cover a few more miles before nightfall. Pity, because I would have loved to have remained longer with such a friendly bunch.
I cracked on through the forest to the south of Rugely until I joined up with the Heart of England Way, and this led me to Cannock Wood. Light was fading and there had been a light shower, so I popped into The Park Gate Inn and asked Steve Donnor, the manager, if I could camp in the garden. Permission was granted, so I was sorted for another night.
If this sounds a bit of a pub crawl, then I suppose it is. Then again, part of the purpose of a pub is to provide a refuge for itinerants like me! In any case, I never drink so much that I forget which way is south. Hic.