Wild Eadric day 3

I slept with some comfort, my brain having forgotten that I had turned on the radiator to try and dry my socks from yesterday and the room became hot all night and by morning I was desperately needing a drink and cool morning air.

I began getting myself ready, a cup of tea followed by porridge in my new collapsible mug before dressing and packing my meager possessions for the final day and 20 miles to Ludlow.

I leave the room at 6.30am and head to the back of the pub and to rejoin the Shropshire way, my first few miles being a steady climb and up towards Bury ditches. The woodland is quiet at this time of the day and deer run about escaping my intrusion in their early morning feasting.

The air is settled around me around the sky’s are clear allowing me a view across towards Hopton Castle, the large banks of the fort begin to raise to to my left as the land drops down to my right.

Bury Ditches dates from around 5000 years ago when humans were in full swing of the farming lifestyle and used stones tools in their day to day life.

Bury Ditches is a spectacular example of a well defended enclosure and up until the 1970s very little was known about its existence until a large storm felled a large majority of trees on its top exposing some of the earth works and again in the 1980s further showing us what had lay hidden away.

2 large and deep ditches that would of been topped with formidable wooden fences with men stationed above and ready to throw down fire and death from above, what makes this an interesting place to others is the complex entrance ways where the walker is funneled through and around the defensive structures ensuring no easy access to the inner plateau.

A myth from old forms in my mind, a young boy makes a deal with a tricky fairy upon the hill, he wanting the pot of gold and unable to life it and carry it away ties a long and golden thread to it handle he walks back to the cottage he and his mother inhabit but on his way down he trips and the thread snaps. They search for many months but nothing is ever found again and the gold still sit hidden away on the hill somewhere.

down I trod and onto the car park for the hill, I had ended my last adventure here, the many cars that pulled up telling me that this was a ‘busy’ place for couples to meet on the evening and I took my leave quickly. Now how ever the car park was empty and bidding a farewell I wander the road for a little time before coming across a little cottage and farm, hidden away from the main roads of life, quietly watching time go by.

I was soon coming into the little village of Kempton, sleepy and empty it seemed to be hidden away in the world, with only one road into houses it was somewhere to remain hidden. Across the footpaths, tracks and hills I walk heading into Kempton, one thing is for sure this route certainly takes you through those small and forgotten villages and hamlets England does so well to give life to.

Farm land slowly begins to give way to the activities of humans as roads become more frequent and footpaths more common, from the greenery of the woodlands we are soon embraced with the glow and warmth of fields of Rapeseed, the yellow almost needing sunglasses to navigate, paths skirt Craven Arms, the call of tea and cake is strong here and I know there is a few cafe’s here, but I bolden my spirit and walk onward to Stokesay Castle where I am able to take a rest within the café here, what makes this even more sweet a deal, 20% off all food.

As I sit and eat, I’m mindful that the closure I get to areas of population people are less inclined to speak to strangers, those of us that tread the boundaries of society become ones to avoid or pay little attention too and in some instances make purposeful moves to avoid.

Stokesay Castle is currently run by English Heritage, Laurence of Ludlow was one of the richest men in the country at the time having made his fortune through wool and although built as it was, Laurence wanted to demonstrate his wealth and power. Despite its strong walls and defence’’ it was none the less built to reassure the Welsh lord who were more than keen to borrow from Laurence.

I bid my farewell to this rather distinguished home and headed out once more into the miles of farmlands, passing 2 rather eager train enthusiast and their equipment which seemed to cost more than my entire camping gear and off through more woodlands before coming down into Onibury and take a moment to sit in the delightful church yard.

Having struggled through countless pieces of farm land where crops were long and signs were few, I could no long bear the thought of trying to walk across even more freshly ploughed fields and instead pootle along the country lane towards Ludlow before coming out and on the gold course come racecourse.

I’ve never been a fan of golf course, they seem to take up large areas of land and only provide enjoyment to a few who are able to pay for the privilege, as I walk the busy B4365 I note that this area seems to be rich in burial mounds with 3 in very short distance of each other. One lie to the side of the main road here, resplendent with a giant and majestic tree growing from its Centre. This area once home to an very important ancient cemetery, one of the 20 odd barrows were excavated in the 1800s and the remains of a small boy were found along with some grave goods.

I head into Ludlow itself, my end in sight people mill around and non seem to keen to speak with myself as I wander the street heading for the front of the mighty castle and just as soon as it started my walk has now ended, I take a seat on a bench and spend a moment in contemplation before heading off towards the train station and home.