Last Day!

So the last day arrived - and as I woke in Alfrick the sun was breaking through the clouds and the forecast for the rest of the day was good. I was eager to get going and complete the rest of this epic journey. After a delicious breakfast of boiled eggs and toast, I was taken the short distance to my starting point back in Knightwick.

The first part of the journey was on a very pleasant footpath through a field that went right by the river. It was shortly after this point on the practice that Peter and I went slightly wrong, but aware of our mistake I found the stile on the other side of the field (having first passed by a herd of cattle who initially came towards me, then ran away!). Over a few more stiles and I was onto a lane for a short while before turning left onto a bridleway.


The bridleway, muddy is places no doubt from the rain of earlier in the week, took me through fields of corn with poppies growing at the edges. Passing over the disused railway line and through Hayley Dingle, it eventually turned into a lane again and brought me into the charming hamlet of Brockamin.

From Brockamin it was only a short walk to Leigh Church, my first port of call of the day. I had clearly wildly overestimated how long it would take me, as the faithful were expecting me at 1pm and it was only 11.30! However, at about midday the vicar, Andrew Bullock arrived and the additional time I had meant that he was able to show me the impressive tithe barn, dating from the early 14th century, that stands next to the church. It is the largest full cruck barn in the country, and was restored - and is now maintained by - English Heritage.


Before too long the faithful arrived with a sumptuous lunch and so I was able to take on board ample refreshment before setting off again.

From Leigh my route took me along the lane to Bransford. Here a footpath left the road and went through a field and some woods alongside the river to Bransford Bridge. Climbing a few steps up onto the Bridge, I crossed the river for the first time since Little Hereford, and could see it making its way towards Worcester.

Luckily there was a pavement beside the busy road, which I had to walk on for a short time before I could again join a footpath. This took me across the railway line and through more fields to the hamlet of Upper Wick. Once more there was a little walking on throught the lanes of the hamlet before entering the final section of footpath towards Powick.


Before long I could see the top of Powick Church tower in the distance. I passed under the A4440, with traffic thundering overhead, and soon arrived at Powick Bridge, where Christine Parry from Ashford Carbonell was waiting to greet me, with her mother Irene and Yvonne Slater, another Ashford resident. After a brief chat with them I set off again on the Monarch's Way in search of my destination.


Soon I could see the distinctive shape of Worcester Cathedral in the distance, and I avoided the mistake of the practice by cutting across the top of the loop that the river makes as it approaches the Severn.

Finally, and triumphantly, I reached the confluence, and so the end of my journey, at 3.20pm. In the picture, the Teme is on the right, the Severn, which it flows into, is in the distance. On the bank a woman was sitting, enjoying the afternoon sun. "I've just walked the entire length of the River Teme", I said. "Is that the River Teme, then?" she replied!



Feeling quite euphoric, I then turned left and started to walk up the Severn towards the Cathedral. Soon the fields turned into a tarmac path and I reflected how different the hustle and bustle of the city was from the remote tranquility of mid-Wales, where I started on Monday morning. To my left I could hear the cheers from the cricket ground, where the England and Australia women's teams were playing a test match. Now I was approaching the heart of the city and the Cathedral was towering above me on the opposite bank.

I crossed the bridge that takes the A44 over the Severn and walked back down the opposite bank. I entered the Cathedral at 4.10pm, where Christine, Yvonne, Irene, mum and dad were waiting for me. I then called upon the Dean, Peter Atkinson, who made me a cup of tea, and told me about the Worcester Pilgrim, a character from the middle ages who was discovered in 1990 buried near the central tower, with walking boots and a staff. We wondered whether he had been doing a sponsored walk, and I felt an immediate affinity with him!

I pootled back into the Cathedral and mum, dad, and I attended evening prayer, after which I posed for the final photo of the trip with the Dean in front of the Cathedral's nave altar. After that we went home - in the car.

So, my epic journey is over. It has been at least a year in the planning, and I feel a great sense of satisfaction at having completed it. But there's more to it than that. There is something quite amazing about travelling such great distances under your own steam, and it is truly wonderful to see familiar landmarks appear into view as you trudge along. As well, of course, as being a money raising venture, this has been a real spiritual pilgrimage. I have been greatly encouraged by the deep faith and generous hospitality I have encountered along the way. I have come to appreciate the timeless quality of a river - no matter what else is happening, it just keeps flowing, like God whose love and mercy never ends. And I really have developed a wander lust - so watch this space for the next adventure!

Like an author writing a book, I must thank a huge number of people, without whose help this journey would not have been possible. In no particular order I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to the following:
To the members of "Team Teme", the support entourage who ferried my kit and kaboodle from place to place, and came to cheer me on, namely Duncan and Josephine Green, Christine Parry, Jeanne Hunt, Yvonne Slater, Irene Wallage, Peter Stretton, and Matthew Oliver.
To those who accompanied me on the practices, and thus ensured that the real thing went without a hitch: Shaun Ward, Peter Stretton, Elliott Ashley, Tim and Sue Phipers, and Jonathan and Alison Adams.
To Christine Parry, who did much of the ferrying of people to and fro during the practices, and was an unfailing provider of refreshments during the whole enterprise.
To those who provided a bed, shelter, and food and drink on the overnight stops: Neil and Nigel in Leintwardine, Claire in Tenbury and Janet and Josie in Alfrick.
To my travelling companions on the walk itself: Tim and Sue Phipers, Neil Crawford-Jones, James Stewart, Susannah Hall, Peter Dyke, and Elliott Ashley, together with canine friends Brae, Bertie, Purdy, Boris, Rigby, Milly, Archie and BB.
To those who welcomed me at the various churches I called at: John Peregrine, Churchwarden, and the faithful of St Michael's, Beguildy; Ruth Davies, Churchwarden, at St Mary's, Llanfair Waterdine; to Brian Whittal and Ian Hay-Campbell, Churchwardens, at St Mary's, Bucknell; to Frank Jones, Churchwarden, and the faithful of St Mary Magdalene's, Leintwardine; to Julia Tandy, Churchwarden, and the faithful of St Giles, Downton on the Rock; to Madelyn Carlyon, Churchwarden and James Stewart, Parish Priest, at St Mary's, Bromfield (and special thanks to James for providing refuge from the rain and a fresh pair of socks); to John Nash and Veronica Batsford at St Giles, Ludford; to Frances and Geoff Marrow and Michael Poyntz at St Mary Magdalene's, Ashford Carbonell; to Mr & Mrs Jenkins and Mr & Mrs Sandall at St Mary Magdalene's, Little Hereford; to Jean and Owen Picton and Claire Lording and Judith Dunkling, Parish Priests, at St Mary's, Tenbury Wells; to Max Jourdier, former Churchwarden, at St Mary's, Stanford on Teme; to Myrtle Kneen, Churchwarden, at St John the Baptist's, Whitbourne; to Jean Colley, Churchwarden, Andrew Bullock, Parish Priest, and the faithful of St Edburga's, Leigh, especially for a splendid lunch; and to Peter Atkinson, Dean, and the vergers of Worcester Cathedral.
To all those who have so generously sponsored me, and to anyone else I have forgotten to mention who has helped in any way.
Above all I thank God for this beautiful river, the wonderful places I have been to and the amazing people I have had the privilege of meeting.

Bye for now ....!

Day Four!

More joy this morning as I woke in Tenbury to see the sun shining for the second day in a row!

After breakfast with Claire I went to the church for morning prayer at 8.30am before walking down to the swimming pool to meet Tim, who was walking with me again today, together with Boris, one of his dogs, and Rigby, his daughter's dog. They were dropped off by the ever faithful Peter Stretton!


We set off from Tenbury at 9am and passed through Rochford before arriving at Eastham at 10.30, where we stopped for a drink of water, a snack and a little rest. Our first port of call today was Stanford on Teme Church, where we were due at midday. The road to Stanford is rather undulating, and with the pleasant weather this made for warm work. However, we were clearly making good progress, for at about 11.30am the welcome sight of the Church came into view over the horizon.


We got up to the church at about 11.45, and soon after Max Jourdier, the former churchwarden came to meet us. He showed us the church, which was a real gem, especially the ceiling, and the amazing east window, in front of which Max and I posed for a photo.

Leaving the church, we were now on a footpath for a bit, passing behind Stanford Court and some either recently built or renovated dwellings. The path went through a field, but before long we were confronted with knee-high brambles, so we climbed over the fence and continued along the drive of these houses. Then we crossed the drive and the footpath took us into a wood which eventually came out onto a lane.


The lane took us down to Shelsley Walsh, home of the famous hill climb. After Shelsley we crossed over the Clifton on Teme-to-Martley road onto another footpath which led to Ham Farm. Passing by the farm we went over some fields towards another farm - it was here that Peter and I went wrong on our practice, but this time the fact that the fields were full of crops helped as the farmer had cut a path through, so we could see where we had to go.


Eventually we passed a field of cattle, including this very handsome Hereford bull - and we were pleased we didn't have to go through his field! Then it was back onto a lane for a short while before turning left onto a footpath which took us down to the river and on to Whitbourne.

Arriving at Whitbourne Church just before 3.30pm, we were met by one of the churchwardens, Myrtle Kneen, and her black labrador Meg (see right). After a brief chat with her and a little rest, we set off for the short walk to Knightwick.

It was not long before we were greeted with the lovely sight of the Talbot Inn coming into view as we crossed the little footbridge over the river. Here Tim and I enjoyed a much-looked-forward-to pint before my friend Matthew came to pick me up and take me to stay with his friends Janet and Josie at nearby Alfrick. Meanwhile mum and dad came to drop off my stuff and take Tim and the dogs home.

So, the penultimate day is over: only one more to go! Today, I think, was my favourite leg of all so far. I am falling in love with the west Worcestershire countryside! Also we enjoyed some gorgeous footpaths, especially the ones towards the end of the walk that took us right by the river. And yes, I am still having a whale of a time, still with no blisters - and the forecast for tomorrow is good. See you in Worcester!

Day Three!

At least two reasons to be cheerful today - first, today is the shortest walk of the week, and second, when I got up this morning, it was not raining for once.

In fact, I suppose there were three reasons to be cheerful, the third being that I had a relatively late start. Mum, dad, Bertie and Brae (canine companions for part of today) and I went up to Ashford Carbonell Church for morning prayer at 10.30 am, where we were met by Michael Poyntz, the treasurer. After morning prayer we walked back to the house and met up with Peter Dyke, the assistant organist of Hereford Cathedral and a good friend, who was joining me for today's leg.

So we set off at about 11 am and after a brisk walk with the sun shining down on us (what a relief!) we arrived at the Temeside Inn at Little Hereford at noon. Here we handed over the dogs to mum and dad, who had driven out to meet us, and had also brought with them Elliot Ashley, another Ashford Carbonell resident who was joining us for the second stage of today's walk.

A brief stroll through a couple of fields and we crossed the footbridge to Little Hereford Church,
where four members of the congregation, Mr and Mrs Sandall and Mr and Mrs Jenkins met us with coffee and biscuits (see left). As we approached the church a few drops of rain began falling but mercifully they soon stopped. Peter, Elliot and I ate our sandwiches in the porch and just before 1pm we set off again.
As we passed through Little Berrington we were relieved to see that the roadworks that almost brought a halt to our practice of this section had been completed.



We continued along the lane for a short while, then walked through the Frank P. Matthews nursery before proceeding through fields and woods and before too long we had arrived at our destination, Tenbury Wells Church, just as the church clock was striking two (though the photo to the left was taken as we were leaving an hour later).

Inside we were greeted once again by two members of the congregation, Mr & Mrs Picton. They can be seen here in front of the nave altar with mum and dad, Peter and Elliot. After more welcome tea, mum and dad took Peter and Elliot back to Ashford Carbonell, and I popped to the vicarage, where I am staying the night with Claire Lording, the Team Rector of the Tenbury Team Ministry.

So, what are my reflections at the end of day three? First, relief that the weather has improved! Also relief that I decided to have a short leg half-way through. At this half-way stage I am still thoroughly enjoying the adventure; my body still seems to be in good shape; and I can't wait for tomorrow (especially if it's dry again!).

Day Two!

Waking up this morning in Leintwardine I was beginning to feel that someone had it in for me, as the sun of last evening had given way to more driving rain. However, undeterred I ventured out to meet Peter Stretton who had brought Tim Phipers from Ashford Carbonell, who was going to join me with his dogs Purdy and Boris for the next leg. Neil also joined us for the first part with his dog Archie.

We bade farewell to Peter and set off at 9am - the rain, thankfully, now having stopped. Our first port of call was Downton on the Rock Church. We had made good progress, and arrived just after 10am. This was well timed, as the heavens began to open just as we got there. Once more, we were welcomed by a band of the faithful (see left) and enjoyed a glass of water and some very tasty bara brith cake.

As we left the church the rain was becoming more persistent and remained so for at least the next three quarters of an hour. On leaving Downton, our route took us off the road and onto a footpath across some fields. As you might imagine, the weather made this soggy going, and what with the rain and walking through sodden crops and undergrowth, my trousers by now were totally soaked, with the water dripping down into my normally waterproof boots. Yuk!
Shortly before we arrived at Bromfield, the rain stopped and the sun came out - hence the photograph of me, Tim, the dogs and Madelyn Carlyon, the churchwarden (right) shows us bathed in sunlight.



At Bromfield we were greeted again by Peter Stretton, who brought Tim's wife Sue to join us for the Bromfield-to-Ludlow section. We went in to Bromfield Church and admired its richly decorated chancel ceiling (see left).

My Team Vicar colleague, James Stewart was also there to greet us, and he invited us to the Vicarage for some lunch and a cup of tea. I was particularly glad of this, since it meant I could take of my boots and wring out my socks (see right).
James, God bless him, gave me a fresh pair of socks; meanwhile Sue had stuffed newspaper into the boots and they had dried a little during lunch. We bade farewell to Peter, and Tim, Sue and I set off for Ludlow - James also joined us for the first part of the walk before turning back to Bromfield. Half-way to Ludlow we were met by Susannah hall, the other churchwarden from Ashford Carbonell, and her dog BB. She walked with us as far as the end of the bread walk, which leads down to Ludford, then turned back to pick up her car which was at Dinham.



We arrived at Ludford at about 2.30pm. At the Church we found redecoration work in progress (see left).

Here two members of the congregation, Veronica Batsford and John Nash greeted us with more tea, and we posed in front of the memorial to Sir Job Charlton, who was Speaker of the House of Commons from 1672-1673 (see right).

We then popped over to the Charlton Arms (guess who it was named after) where Chrsitine Parry, another of my previous companions, had brought some residents of Ashford Carbonell to meet me.

After a brief chat with them Tim and I set off for Ashford Carbonell. The walk was one with which we are both familiar, and we got back in about an hour, just in time for another shower as we entered the village. Bidding farewell to Tim, I went on to the Church where my mum and dad, and two members of the congregation, joined me for evening prayer. Then it was a very short walk home!

So there we are. Two days down, three to go. I still feel fine; no aches, no blisters. The rain again failed to dampen my enthusiasm, which is being constantly maintained by the lovely people I am meeting en route. I look forward to tomorrow, especially since it is the shortest of all the legs!

Day One!

So ... the day has finally arrived - the first day of the great trek along the River Teme!




The day began rather inauspiciously when I awoke this morning, pulled back the curtains and saw the rain falling. The waterproof coat was removed from the bag and put ready to wear. At 7 am the trusty Peter Stretton came and picked me up and drove me to the starting point for the walk - not quite the source, but as near as I could get, about four miles north west of Beguildy.



The weather this morning might be described as 'sunshine and showers'. When it rained, it really rained, then the sun came out for long enough to dry me off, and then the heavens opened again.


At 9.30 I reached my first port of call, Beguildy Church, where the churchwarden, John Peregrine, and a group of the faithful were waiting to me meet me (see right).











About 10am I set off again, heading for Llanfair Waterdine. Just before the village, my route took me off the road and along a footpath which then went over the river (see left) - and so out of Powys (and the diocese of Swansea and Brecon) and into Shropshire (and the diocese of Hereford).







I have never been so pleased to enter a church as I was when I got to Llanfair Waterdine Church, as we were in the middle of another deluge. Here I met the churchwarden, Ruth Davies, who had very kindly brought me some tea in a flask. She also took this picture of me (right).






Leaving the church the rain had stopped - for a while. I continued along the road until picking up the Offa's Dyke path to take me into Knighton. Here I called into the church (see left) before meeting my parents and seeking refuge from another downpour in the Horse and Jockey Inn, where we had an excellent lunch.






After lunch, the sun had come out and so it was a pleasant walk along the railway to Stowe (and so back into Shropshire). I even took my coat off but this only made it start raining again! By the time I got to Bucknell, however, the clouds had parted, the sky was blue and the sun was shining. At about 3.45 pm I met the churchwardens, Brian Whittal and Ian Hay-Campbell (see right) at Bucknell Church, who provided me with more tea.








Here I managed to take the first external shot of a church of the day ... the weather not having permitted it until now! (see left).











On leaving Bucknell I was on the home straight. Inexplicably I missed a turning which would have taken me through Buckton and ended up on the main road earlier than I had anticipated. This meant, however, that I was able to look at Brampton Bryan Church (see right).






Before too long I was in Leintwardine, and was welcomed at the church (see left) by the churchwarden, Frank Jones, and a group of the faithful with more very welcome tea. After a brief bath at the home of Canon Neil Crawford-Jones, with whom I am staying, we went, at Frank's invitation, to the Sun Inn for a pint. (By now it had turned into a beautiful evening.) For many years the Sun was run by Flossie Lane until her recent death - which was marked by an obituary in The Times. The Sun is a remarkable pub, consisting of three rooms - the tap room (three beer barrels on the floor), Flossie's sitting room, and the room where we sat with our very welcome pints. It seems that Frank has the keys, so is clearly a good person to know!






As I write this I am relaxing at Neil and Nigel's and we are about to have supper. Today has been an amazing day - I have met some wonderful people, and had an exhilarating time; and as I have survived today with all that the weather has thrown at me, then I am sure that I can survive anything!