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!