Wolverley village - this is very special & mentioned in the Doomsday Book

After walking the dogs up to drop them off at Linda's, the dog groomer, in Kidderminster, I walkd back into Wolverley and could hear the merry sounds of chainsaws across the valley. That sounded like hard work, so I thought I'd take some time out and explore the ancient village which is mentioned in the Doomsday Book. 

So here I am up at the church, built on a massive (and very steep) sandstone rock which dominates the scenery for miles around. Built in 1772 in Italianate style, I found it quite ugly - but with stupendous views. The photos don't do this justice as I've had a spot of camera operator trouble.

The cottages here are hewn out of the stone - they have very few windows and the back rooms are, in effect caves. Does that make the residents semi-detached trogladytes?

This is the old blacksmiths.

Even the 'new' architecture is different

This little guy insisted on having his head scratched and his horns waggled

The old courthouse has seen service as a grammar school (1629) and council offices

The village pub, shop and coffee house.

The Whittington Inn c1310, the home of Dick Whittington's grandfather and, later, Lady Jane Grey - didn't go in (that maks a change) so can't comment on the beer.

Birmingham to Kinver - Part 3

From Stewponey, Lesley and I slotted back into our walks into the lovely countryside as if there had never been an enforced break in citydom. Our usual setting off for an hours walk and getting a bit lost/carried away for 2 to 3 hours.

 I love these circular weir streams.

 We had intended to hang a right and head north at Stourton Junction with the Staffs and Worcester, but having walked to the left and found Kinver a quick change of plans was in order- we couldn't miss the run down to Kinver and Stourport; it was, simply, too gorgeous so the next day we hung a left with the boats.

 Now that's what I call a garden gate.

 Muttley was so thrilled to be back in the wilds he couldn't decide where to take his 'wack-wack' next!

I've just realised that it sounds like I'm knocking where we've been since November - I'm not. We've enjoyed our industrial history, met some great pople and enjoyed some superb entertainment but the countryside is why we, and our animals, chose this lifestyle and this is where we're 'right'. The Staffs & Worc is beautiful.

Birmingham to Kinver - Part 2

These escapees were looking very happy outside our boat when we left Bumblehole in the morning and we arrived at Merry Hill in pretty miserable weather but were greeted by Rock n' Roll & Seyella more cheerfully and with a cuppa and toasted buns which were wonderful, as was the company.

 Molly (the Patterdale) on Rock 'n' Roll with MR through the window (Daisy would love a spot like this).

 We waved them all off in the morning even Megs (the Bearded Collie) came out to say goodbye

More new friends met, made and enjoyed thanks, entirely, to blogs.

We stayed a second night & Lesley and I went to see the excellent (and surprisingly funny) King's speech.
We set off the next day for Stourbridge - I don't know if it was because I was unfit after our enforced winter ice confinement  but I found this day horrible and seriously long and tough. Here are some of the nice bits at the bottom end of the Stourbridge flight.

 An old stable block with horses in it!

 With 3 or 4 locks to go, both G and I had lost the will to live and eyed up this old derelict warehouse site as a potential overnight mooring (yes; we were that desperate).

Then we sawa flash of blue which made our spirits soar - not a Kingfisher, but Lesley the whirling lockwheeler in her blue jacket on her bike had come back to help us; setting the last locks as she joined us and working down the other side with me. Adam and Adrian (NB Debdale) had turned up and helped them down andLesley came back for us after seeing them off. Wat a bum piddle wee wee flight.
I was so sore and shattered that I couldn't rouse myself enough to walk into Stourbridge the next day and I was very pleased to leave; having our first proper country walk in ages out to Stewponey. Lovely. I think it was probably me out of sorts but it was hard and horrible.