The Severn Way: Worcester to Bewdley; 11th April 2014

After checking that the camera was working, I start the day by visiting Worcester Cathedral. Unfortunately, you're not allowed to take pictures inside unless you purchase a permit, but let me tell you this, it is absolutely gorgeous! I lit a candle for my grandparents and wrote a short note in the book, which'll keep my Mother happy... 

Afterwards, I went and had a look at the cricket ground at New Road, home of Worcestershire County Cricket Club. (I'm a big cricket nerd!) Hard to believe it was under water 8 weeks previously! 

The cricket ground at New Road

Do not book this hotel.

Now it's down to business and after finding the Severn Way trail path, I head on out of Worcester, past the racecourse and then it's mud, mud, mud, all the way! 

Worcester Racecourse

Passed by some nice churches at Grimley and Holt, and even a big working quarry too, walking through the mounds of gravel, sand and clay! You can see the damage done to the trail by the winter rains at several points on the trail and also a disturbing trend of farmers either removing way markers, stiles and gates, cutting off access to public rights of way at some points! I also see some of the legacies of Thomas Telford on the trail too, on the way to Stourport-on-Severn. I stopped there for some food and drink, had a meander around and then continued on to my resting place for the night, Bewdley. Yes, just a short 13 mile hike today, after the last three days of marathons in which I amounted 71 miles! 

Grimley church

The quarry near Holt

Christmas Trees! 

The Malverns in the distance, south of me! 

Bluebells

Fallen tree blocking the route

There's been a waterfall here at some point!

landslip

Lincombe Lock

Stourport on Severn

The bridge at Stourport

After Stourport, I head up on past several caravan "parks", which add a bit of tension to the walk as they're not official parks, rather they've just plonked these old rickety caravans by the river and claimed the land as their own! Some very weird people inhabit these spaces and I pick up the pace just to get away from these places. An eyesore really...

The path gets very muddy and very disjointed before arriving at Bewdley too, a victim of the bad winter rains and flooding no doubt. I'm almost ankle deep in thick, sticky, gloopy mud at some points! But we soon arrive in Bewdley where I'm staying at a pub that's in the Good Beer Guide! :o)

Path into Bewdley

St Anne's Church, Bewdley

Tomorrow, I will be catching the train from Bewdley to Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley Railway! Really looking forwards to that! But first, some well-deserved ales in the Woodcolliers Arms! (http://www.woodcolliers.co.uk)