Blog

The day started well. There had been overnight rain but it was dry with blue sky in places. I set off across the wetlands and before long onto a canal tow path, once I persuaded a gaggle of geese with their goslings to move to one side rather than hiss at me. The tow path took me all the way to Drayton Bassett, a pretty village with no shop or amenities. 

After Drayton Basset there was, it has to be said, a dire section all along mundane busy roads for 2 1/2 miles. After that though the path climbed and made its way across pleasant pasture, albeit with views of HS2 being built down in the valley. There were then lots of pigs at the end of the section. 

The next section went to Litchfield. I like Litchfield. It’s an old town with a nice cathedral and was buzzing on a Saturday afternoon. I had a good lunch and passing the cathedral walked by a small little house that belonged to Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of the famous Charles. I left Litchfield through a pretty park and then walked across some lovely heathland. The sun came out again defying the forecast of rain as I walked down pretty country lanes and across wildflower meadows. The last day of walking had been pretty dull but it seemed the Heart of England Way was going to finish with a flourish.

And it’ got better. As I approached the forest at Cannock Chase the landscape started to change. Fields of corn, wheat and rape seed were replaced with trees and heather. I felt as if I was on the cusp of reaching northern England.

The long awaited rain finally came and for two hours it rained,not hard, but persistently. My wet weather gear, recently purchased, kept me dry as a bone, very good news as I should expect heavy rain at some point. 

I walked through the forest for a couple of hours making good progress and about 8 o’clock I called it a night, pitching my tent on pine-needles under the cover of the trees.

Day Summary

A grand hurrah for the Heart of England. Warm and dry in the rain. The Peak District awaits.