Thursday 24 May – Meriden to Kingsbury & Friday 25 May – Kingsbury to Lichfield
If you were waiting excitedly yesterday for a blog, let’s say: not every day deserves one. “Nothing going here, move along” would aptly summarise yesterday. A lane or two. Fields, lots of fields, totally lacking in charm, with hard ground underfoot. And what we thought would be the highlight – walking alongside a reservoir – turned out to be a walk sandwiched between a railway line on one side and thick woods on the other, the reservoir itself hidden behind the trees and behind an embankment. After that disappointment we weren’t at all surprised when our entry into Kingsbury through part of the Kingsbury Water Park (a network of lakes and the River Tame) likewise turned out to be a let-down. Our route took us around the perimeter of the park with very few views of the lakes themselves. But the day was improved mightily when we met Debs in Kingsbury and she drove us back to Debs and Jo’s flat in Narborough to spend a very pleasant evening and to stay overnight.
We woke today to heavy rain, but fortunately did not have to start super early as today was only 22km, so could wait till the rain eased off. By the time Debs dropped us back at Kingsbury around 11am the rain had settled to a very light drizzle.
It remained thus for much of the day, and was considerably cooler than in previous days, just 16 degrees. It gave us a chance to dust off our waterproofs! However, in compensation, the walk was actually a lot more pleasant than yesterday. It started with a far more interesting ramble through the central part of the Kingsbury Water Park before picking up a canalside walk for a few kilometres – always bliss!
Even better, when we got to the village of Drayton Bassett, who should we see but Debs, in their campervan, to greet us with cheese sandwiches (made by Jo), crisps and a banana, – and we could sit inside to eat it all!
With Debs having offered to take our packs most of the way, and fuelled by our excellent lunch, we raced (well, walked faster than normal!) through the countryside, meeting Debs again on the outskirts of Lichfield to pick up our packs. Walking through Lichfield, we passed the hugely impressive Lichfield Cathedral, with three spires (the biggest such cathedral in Britain) and dating back to the 8th century. It features some 16th century Flemish stained glass windows, a soaring nave, and as we walked in a choir was practising, completing the atmosphere. We were so pleased to have ‘dropped in’. Even so, we were at our hotel by 5.30pm, and later on joined Debs and Jo for some scrumptious pies and mashed potatoes in a local pub.
Distances: Thurs 24 18km, Friday 25 22km
Scrumpy to Scotch 
I do like that there was a choir to sing you in! How kind of them..
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