Christmas Walk 29th December 2014 - Market Drayton
28 were up for it: Tony and Chris, Yup and Barb, Zoe, Mark and Laura, Steve and (newly retired) Trish, Jenny, Mark and Jan, Paul and Wendy, Anne-Marie and Peter, Dave and Mike, Pedro, Barry, Scott, Tom, Dunc, Steve Bicko, Stand-back Dave, Keith, Tim and Bill
First timers: “Anytime but Midweek” Christine, Anne-Marie (Tony's sister) and Peter, Laura (Mark's girlfriend) and Jan Royall. Late dropouts were Gill and Mark, the latter having flu. Dave and Mike Cartlidge rejoined us after a few years' absence and Dave seemed fully recovered from his Achilles injury.
Zcarz 24-seater bus was on time and picked us up from Paris Avenue and the Westbury. We started with a double circuit of the Westbury roundabout - was this something related to the Mystery night, which was cancelled this year, or simply the driver losing his bearings?
We were dropped off at the Hippodrome, the Wetherspoons pub in Market Drayton and most took breakfast refreshments. Once the other attendees had arrived we posed outside for the usual team photos.
It had been a long day for some; and for some the day was only just beginning.
The bus was summoned for a 4.30 departure and we all went our ways. As usual, Scott led the singing of Christmas Carols on the bus on the way home.
The weather was crisp and bright as we set off through the town and down to the valley of the River Tern. We left the road at Walkmill Bridge and proceeded through Salisbury Hill Park.
What promised to be the steepest climb of the day, a few steps up out of the valley, went by unnoticed, then on past a paddock onto Bottom Lane, where we regrouped.
Heading out into the countryside now there was a view of Buntingsdale Hall, a Grade II* Listed Building. From the same point the back end of the Muller factory could also be seen in the distance.
This area around Market Drayton seems covered by a crop of what looks like bamboo for a far as the eye can see - it's actually miscanthus or elephant grass, used as a biofuel, and local boy Dunc informed us that the locals don't like that it's taken over from the usual arable and dairy farming. At least they'd cleared a nice wide path through it for walkers.
Across a few fields and a circuit of Colehurst Manor, then on to Sutton Grange. Our slug-like trail could be seen across the frosty field; though the pace was quickening as the first pub stop neared.
The walking was easier now, on lanes and a bridleway, and we arrived not too strung out at the Four Alls pub for refreshment. There were Wood's Shropshire Lad, Bombardier and Joules Pale ales on offer. A room had been set aside for us and we could really have settled in there; the carvery looked tempting. Tom obviously had an appetite and had to have a large baguette to keep him going until lunch.
Rob Belcher joined us for a pint. He had cycled from his home in Stafford, which he now realised was quite a way from Market Drayton... hope he got back OK.
Down the lane we reached the Shropshire Union Canal and the cottages at Tyrley Locks. Chris and Zoe had a hug-in.
The canal was initially in a steep-sided sandstone cutting but then emerged onto a high embankment before reaching the outskirts of the town.
Scott was caught short and had to veer off and check out the WW2 concrete pillbox
Tony reminisced about his boyhood fishing trips to the Wharf on the canal here at Market Drayton. Scott had heard enough and was looking for the way to the pub.
We set off again and it was all smiles outside the pub.
On reaching the Red Lion pub, the Joules tap house, we were greeted by Dave and Pam Fryer who were joining us for lunch. We adjourned to the front room of the pub as the larger Mouse Room was taken up by a wake. The food soon arrived and most seemed happy with the meals. Unfortunately Tony and Yup were less pleased as their vegetable portion ran out before it got circulated to their table. But otherwise the venue was great and well worth another visit in the future.
Many thanks go to Anytime Tone for organising this walk in Yup's absence, and for his notes and photos. Well done Tone.
(PS Pedro helped on a reckie !!)
