Friday 20th pril Kinver Edge

Kinver Edge Friday 20^th April 2007

Up for it were:

Yupmeister, Dasher, Mid Week Tone, Pedro, Stubbee, Mr Tahoohigh, Spikelett, Keithee's up for it, Jacko, Thingy, Paul Hecky Thump, Graham Orchid, Tim Mothy and latecomers Nige (No-el) and Matt Nice-one.

Approx route details:

Start from High St in Kinver. West via Stone Lane to view point at northern point of Kinver Edge. South along Staffordshire way then east to picnic area near Lodge Farm. South past Baxter house to North Worcestershire path. East to Caunsall. South to Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal and follow south westerly to Wolverley, passing the houses over the canal. Take Drakelow Lane north west to Bayhorse Farm before turning north east. At lane, head north west to Blakeshall Common and north east to Vale’s Rock and along Kinver Edge to return to view point. From the view point head north to pass the rock houses.

Malc Jay jibbed out with only hours to go with the prospect of becoming a granpop (just like Bill) during the day resting on his shoulders. Mrs Malc Jay was that excited she’d lost her voice, or had she been shouting at Malc for even considering going on a walk on such a momentous occasion? There was no need because, as is a girl’s prerogative, she kept him waiting for a further couple of days, and another opportunity to join the lads was lost. Still, at least he enjoyed the peace while it lasted.

The usual reprobates assembled at the Westbury Tavern for the ever so reliable minibus at 6.50am. Most had turned up on time except for Pedro and Mid week Tone. Spike turned up in his leathers before heading off on his Honda in the hope of meeting up again at 8ish in Kinver. A desperate call from Mr Tahoohigh sent the chilling message round that the minibus hadn’t turned up at his house on route to the Westbury as arranged.

Yup immediately contacted Kev, our ever so reliable minibus driver, who confirmed that his mate Darren (Deadly to his mates!) should be on the job and said he’d get straight back to us. Oops, Deadly had it in his head that it was a 7.45 pick up, not 6.45. To his credit he sped onto the pub forecourt just 15 minutes later, picked us up and raced off down the M6 at breakneck pace only slowing down occasionally for those dreaded speed cameras. Somehow though, he managed to avoid the most direct route with the help of a sat nav. A few frantic calls later and the troops in Kinver were finally alerted, through Spikelett, that we’d be half an hour late.

Matt Nice-one and Nige No-el had decided to join us at the eleventh hour for this walk whilst Sparklett, who had been forced into attending an office meeting, vowed to meet us for lunch and the afternoon brewery visit arranged by Mid-Week Tone.

The walk finally commenced but at roughly the same speed as the minibus, until we arrived at the view point. Here we collapsed and drew breath, well several actually, before taking in the wonderful views between the trees. Life doesn’t get much better as one regular squarrite often comments.

We caught up lost time by the time we arrived at the picnic spot for breakfast. Pedro munched through a homemade bread and homemade jam butty before slipping down a homemade cake, without even the slightest hint of sharing any of the damn thing. Did we care? Were we bovvered? Look at my face. Do I look bovvered?.

The walk, excellently put together by Thingy, took us through some spiffing areas and along bridleways and canal towpaths in places. As usual we were blessed with yet another warm and sunny day. The bridleways were mostly dry and sandy, whereas several weeks previous they were found to be muddy and wet when Thingy had checked out the route.

On one section of the canal some klondikes had built their homes into the rocks. Some of the rear gardens were so steep that it would be impossible to cut the grass or hang the washing out without abseiling from the back door. Pedro was caught ogling at the canal boats again, contemplating spending his retirement on one, dropping anchor into a different pub every day and trying to get someone to buy him a pint. Another one of his dreams!

A woodpecker could be heard at one location as we returned back to the ‘summit’ (John Skinner would have been impressed), before passing Vales Rock. Jacko pointed out the erosion around the cave indicating it had been created many thousands of years ago, even before his time. Hecky Thump gazed out from the Vales Rock as we approached and admired his surroundings. Could this be Hectors house?

We arrived at The Vine at 1pm, bang on time. Enville and Kinver Edge ales along with London Pride were on tap. The Enville ale was the sweeter of the choice but the Kinver just had the edge.

Sitting on the veranda in the sunshine a flamboyant Italian waiter named Luigi attended to our every need including bowls of mayonnaise and horseradish for Keithee. The meals were excellent. Even the meal prepared for Sparklett who never showed up looked terrific, before it was returned to the kitchen untouched. Luckily the group discounted meals made up the difference and Thingy didn’t end up out of pocket.

The He-men amongst the group continued on for another 3 mile extension of the walk beyond Whittington, whilst the three fittest, Mid Week Tone, Pedro and Yup stayed a while longer to admire the canal traffic. We agreed to meet up at The Whittington pub about an hour later. Hecky Thump took his leave at this point to avoid the rush hour traffic, the extra walking and the brewery.

Opening the door on leaving the Vine proved a little difficult for Pedro but I said I wouldn’t mention it. But if the sign says ‘push’, then you push the door, you don’t pull. It’s quite simple really. Bit like following chevrons.

The Whittington pub, according to our real ale expert, was of course in the CAMRA beer guide. What we weren’t aware of until we got there was that it was mentioned in an out of date beer guide. There was still draught ale available though, but without the great choice anticipated. Talking of draughts, it was sufficient to provide us with a couple of features in the garden well worth taking a peek at, for those who dared. It must have had an effect on Keithee, who, emerging from the toilets soaked from the waist down, declared he hadn’t been for a waz but had just washed his hands!!

The brewery was just a short half hour stroll back in to the village, where we parted company with some of the group, and continued on and into an industrial estate. 2 lads were found tottering about outside the brewery, which had opened its doors for the weekend with free ale. They had obviously overstayed their welcome but decided it was now time for them to go on a pub crawl before returning home to Crewe. Dasher impressed them by immediately asking for lemonade before crashing out in the sun. The rest entered the brewery and filled their glasses with free ale comprising, I think, of either Kinver Edge or Kinver Caveman.

Ian and Dave, the brewers explained the intricacies of their brewing techniques which was interspersed with questions from the aspiring brewers amongst the group. I recollect something said about the hops making all the difference to the aroma and sweet smells and citreous something or other….before retiring outside to find Dasher and now Jacko both asleep amongst the barrels.

The brewers finally locked up and escorted us down to the local ‘con’ club where we were treated to their Centurion ale at £ 1.60 a pint accompanied by a huge tray full of sausage rolls and quiche. Joe is adamant it was called ‘Old Git’??

After thanking the brewers for their hospitality we were back on the bus at 6pm. Several nodded off but were woken by a fight which broke out between Pedro and MW Tone on the back seat.

Life just doesn’t get any better.

Regards

Yupmeister

PS Many thanks go to Thingy for organising the walk and the lunch time pub; and to MW Tone for arranging the brewery trip. Oh and of course many thanks and best wishes for the future to Ian and Dave at the Kinver Brewery.