Wrekin Woes

Crossing the bridge to start our walk

Lottie having a run

far from the crowds

It was a cooler morning and we got up later. After a leisurely breakfast Van Man drove over to the service point to empty the grey water, fill with fresh water and empty the toilet cassette. By the time we had done these jobs it was 10.00.

We decided to visit the Wrekin. Getting there was fine but parking was impossible as everybody else had gone there too. There was a one way route to the parking areas and out again but the main two parking areas were full of cars and cars lined the road wherever they could stop. Having gone beyond the Wrekin without finding room for a mini to park, Van Man turned around in a wide driveway and headed back towards Shrewsbury. 

bridge over a side arm

We followed the one way route passing even more parked cars then met a man driving towards us, oblivious of the one way route. Fortunately the road widened just in front of us so Van Man squeezed by. The wrong way man drove on causing the cars following us trouble when he reached the squeeze point opposite a cluster of parked cars.

            However it was probably not a good day to walk up the Wrekin as it began raining heavily. The rain did not last long but several heavy showers followed over the next two hours.

the canal and disused side arm

rooted in stone

We emerged in Wellington where Van Man was pleased to find a garage with diesel cheaper than any other he had passed. After filling up we trundled along to the Montford picnic area on the A5 which I had noticed (from yesterday’s journey) had a walk along the River Severn which passed under the A5. We arrived there just after 11.30 having driven through several showers and found ample parking beside a wide picnic area.

the side arm

site of an old liftbridge

Armed with waterproofs we followed a trail through the long grass which led to a wide grassy path running alongside the River Severn which had been kept mown for fishermen and walkers to enjoy.

Lottie on the Aqueduct

Lottie soon found a way down the steep bank and bathed in the water. We followed the river until the path came to an abrupt end at a local canoe centre. After Lottie had explored the slipway we strolled back to Sally Van for lunch.

As we arrived back we had another heavy shower but Lottie stayed outside on the damp grass while we ate our lunch.

going down under the aqueduct

come on you slow owners

After lunch the sky had brightened so we decided to try to find the Montgomery Canal at Pont as we were that side of Shrewsbury. We crossed the canal but there was nowhere to park a car let alone a large van so we drove on through Knocking and on to Queen’s Head having enjoyed the local views. Once there we headed to the car park we found yesterday to walk further up the canal towards Frankton Junction with Lottie whining to gain our attention when we passed the picnic area. Obviously she was happy to repeat yesterday’s walk. She was satisfied with our parking when she realised she could walk a new section of the canal.

This section took us away from the road through lovely countryside with sunny views of the Welsh hills. There were several canoes moving on this section but apart from meeting one couple we had the path to ourselves, not bad for walking in the high season.

at the end of our walk

We reached the aqueduct which crossed a small river. After looking at this we turned around and strolled back. The whole walk took us 1¾ hours, and was far easier than climbing up the Wrekin with hundreds of other people on the trail. Van Man then drove back to the camp site.



 As we passed Haughmond Abbey Van Man checked there was room to park Sally Van there.

We spent another quiet evening with a home cooked meal on site.

The Montgomery Canal

Sally Van at Queen's Head

Lottie waiting for us to catch up

After breakfast we moved Sally Van to the motor home service point where we emptied the grey water and filled with fresh water. As the day would be hot we drove along the A5 to Queen’s Head to walk along the Montgomery Canal. This would allow Lottie to bathe to cool down and we were hoping for shade from canal side trees.

canal wild flowers

The drive to Queen’s Head was easy apart from a slow queue of traffic around Shrewsbury at each roundabout. We parked in a small CRT car park which had just enough depth to fit Sally Van in and had a small picnic area by the canal.

We had to cross the canal before gaining the towpath and then started walking. We met two boats in a few minutes, surprising on this little cruised canal.

“I’d have thought we would have reached the locks by now,” Van Man remarked.

“That was the other way,” I replied. We are heading towards Frankton Junction.”

“I’ve gone the wrong way,” he replied.

“We can walk the other way after lunch,” I replied.

butterfly by the canal

Bridge 74

The walk was lovely with overhanging trees giving us quite a lot of shade, even though a road ran alongside us. Fortunately the traffic was not too busy. Our walk was quite tranquil as we enjoyed watching the plentiful dragonflies and butterflies. Lottie approved of our route as she could get into the canal at several points to cool down. We reached bridge 74 and found another car park close to the canal so we could walk from there another day. We retraced our steps to Sally Van having been out for an hour and twenty minutes. It was very hot so we spent a couple of hours relaxing at the picnic area which Sally Van was parked adjacent to.

Looking down from bridge74

There was one table under shady trees so it was a lovely place to have lunch and relax. Lottie found a cool place to sleep near our table. The temperature mid day was thirty degrees, far too hot in the sun.

After lunch we walked the other way along the canal to look at the three locks. At first the towpath was along a gravel lane which led to the house at the first lock, which Lottie did not like but she managed to walk along the narrow strip of grass. We passed a cyclist repairing a puncture made by the sharp gravel. Lottie could not get into the canal to cool down as the corrugated piling holding the bank back was higher than the bank.

Sally Van from the tow path

Lottie at a lock

At the first lock Lottie swiftly crossed the top lock gate to explore the far side and headed straight to a gate. We followed and found it led to a small nature reserve with an overflow pond fed from the canal. Lottie paddled into the water and sat down in the shallows, cooling off.

From this point onwards it was a normal towpath which our Lurcher appreciated. It clouded over and we had a light shower as we approached the second lock. However the rain was refreshing as the day was still hot. We chatted to boaters working on their moored narrowboat and moved on.

lock surround

Lottie explored both sides of third lock oblivious to the family in lifejackets resting on the towpath beside their canoe.

As we walked slowly back past lock two a man raced along the towpath on a four wheel ATV from behind us. The boaters blocked his path and an angry exchange of opinions was heard. Lottie crossed over to the far side as if to avoid the commotion. The boaters stood their ground probably pointing out that ATV’s were not allowed along the towpath. At last the man got past them and thundered past our lock scowling.

Back at the first lock Lottie revisited the pond for a dip while we chatted to the cyclist who was repairing a second puncture. He was very unlucky to get two punctures in under a mile.

Canal mile post

We returned to Sally Van after being overtaken by the canoeists who were propelling their craft swiftly through the water.

Back at Sally Van we had a hot drink. After sitting in the shade until the heat of the day had passed we headed back to our camp site at 4.00. It was cloudy and showery there but much cooler thankfully. We had a relaxing evening in a very quiet campsite.

The lock chamber

On the road again

This is our first proper trip in the motor home since the Covid lockdown apart from a visit to our family.

After packing the last items we left home just before 9.30 as we had packed the night before. The sun was shining and the day soon grew hot. Van Man drove to Cobham where we donned masks and visited the services. It felt strange and was not helped by some people going the wrong way round the interior.

I drove to Cherwell services and felt confident driving the van. We had Cornish pasties for lunch and walked Lottie by the stream after we ate them. The sun was so hot she wanted to cool down in the water but the stream had narrowed to muddy shallows. Thankfully most of the mud came off before we returned to the van.

Looking towards The Wrekin

The Wrekin from our campsite

Van Man drove the rest of the way to Shrewsbury via the M40, M6 and M52 which took just over 2 hours even though we had to pass an accident. A lorry had hit a trailer pulled by a van and was stuck in it, but it seemed that there were no injuries to the people. The campsite was in a disused quarry with two levels. Our pitch was on the smaller lower level. It was quiet and peaceful. There was plenty of space between the pitches which was good for both social and Covid reasons.

After a quick cup of coffee the Lurcher took us to explore the dog walk. It was excellent, taking us past the fishing lake and up through the woods. There were several paths to explore so the Lurcher will be happy with tomorrows walk.

 After the walk we relaxed in the shade before having a cold evening meal. It was strange not to have the use of a toilet block but we had been told there would be no facilities due to Covid. When we explored the whole site we could not find the toilets which we expected to find locked up. What had they done with them? The dish washing facilities were open as long as only one person was in it. I was beaten by a family with three bowls of washing up but they kindly let me go first when they saw how little I had. 

Home again

We woke earlier to a lovely clear sunrise with Lottie keen to go out, but by the time we were ready to leave heavy clouds were appearing. Van-Man gave Lottie a second short walk round the camp site while I washed up and got the van ready.

We set off straight for home. Van-Man handed over the helm to me at Victoria Services. My first drive was dry but windy, however I have got used to the gusts and managed to keep up to 60mph most of the way. I stopped at the Hog and Hedge at Whiddon Down where we walked Lottie, used the facilities and enjoyed excellent coffee.

Sally-Van

Unfortunately Van-Man drove into long queues waiting to get on the M5 at Exeter. As we reached the last exit we heard on the radio that 2 lanes were closed due to a broken down lorry. He turned off but ended up driving towards Torquay. After turning round we headed cross country to Honiton which was tricky and congested as lots of other drivers were by passing Exeter. He stopped briefly at the Honiton services for a toilet break and then carried on driving only to get stuck in a queue of traffic at Monkton. It was slow through the Blackdown Hills at times it felt we would have been quicker walking. The queues and stop start only abated after we joined the A303. Slowly the traffic flowed quicker.

Van-Man eventually stopped at the first lay-by after Solstice Services. This section had taken him over two hours.

The rain eased as I took over and I managed to drive at a good pace. We reached the M25 at 15.45 which we hoped was early enough to avoid the worst traffic jams. We eased onto the M25 without too much trouble and the traffic improved after we passed the M3 turn off. I drove into Cobham services to find a large area including that reserved for caravans, coned off. I had to park in the car park taking up two spaces to fit Sally-Van in.

Van-Man had an easy drive home as the M25and A22 were running freely at the speed limit.

It was not the easiest journey home from Cornwall.

West Pentire.

its a long way down

It was a dry morning so we walked Lottie at West Pentire. We walked along the cliff top towards Crantock beach but had to turn back before we got there. We then went to a supermarket and bought tonight’s meal and travel food for the journey home tomorrow.

Van-Man dropped me off at Blaze Church so I could join the family for the church service. He then drove to our daughters’ house and relaxed for the morning. Lottie stretched out in the middle of the lounge floor, something she doesn’t do when the family are at home.

goodbye sea

We arrived home bring pizza for lunch. Then we began a game of Monopoly with the older children. One dropped out then Van-Man walked Lottie. While he was out I played his hand for him. Despite Melody’s best efforts, my daughter's helpful swaps and my negotiations Van-Man won even though he had been out for an hour.

Lottie became restless while Chelle got their food ready so we said goodbye as they needed a quiet evening to get ready for school. Their schools have a different half term to most counties. I think it is because Cornwall depends on tourism so many parents need to be working on national half term week.

We filled with diesel and had a quiet evening before going home tomorrow.

Netflix at Holywell

Holywell dunes

tasty fresh water besisde the sea

We got up after eight so Lottie must have been as tired as her owners. We set out to walk Lottie at Holywell beach but on arrival at the NT car park we had to wait to see if our Motor Home could be parked as most of the car park was cordoned off.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

the life guards watch the few surfers

“Oh that area is need for the film crew... they are filming a new Arthurian Series for Netflix.”

“So they are stables then?” I pointed to la long marquee with stable like doors.

“Yes there will be horses charging along the beach in the film.”

the rocks offshore

Meanwhile his friend had moved the barriers sideways into the film set area giving an extra row of vehicles.

clean sand

The space was instantly filled by us several cars and another motor home.  We had to walk alongside the temporary road that had been laid down to get the film vehicles in place.




When we crossed the river Lottie insisted on going in for a drink. thirst satisfied we walked along the beach returning up into the deserted dunes.

The clouds started building quickly while we were walking back.  By the time we reached our daughter’s who was preparing lunch it was raining.

going up..

We relaxed after lunch until the rain stopped and then set out for a walk with the whole family. By the time we arrived at Goss Moor it was drizzling again. Lottie insisted on getting out so we waited for the family at the start of the path as cows were preventing us going further.

...through the dunes...

...as the clouds build...

By the time they arrived it was raining heavily. Our daughter jumped out from the driver’s seat and jogged over holding a small child’s coat over her head and shoulders.

“I like the rain gear” I said.

“It’s Verity’s. Her coat was on top.

Nobody wants to walk in this.”

up to the top

The rain was increasing as she spoke.

“We’ll see you later then,” Van-Man said. Fortunately the cows had moved away from the path so we followed the track until we met a large herd. We retreated gladly.

and down the other side

We had an entertaining evening with the family. The rain couldn’t prevent that.

We were fortunate to pitch in the dry and hook up to the electricity before the rain pelted down again.

through the vegetation

Seal Watch

seals at Godrevy Point

seals with young relaxing on the sand

The wind howled around the van during the night but I still had a good sleep. We got ready to leave lazily and left the campsite before 11 and headed east. At Land’s End that is the only way to go. We took our time as we can’t meet up with the family until 5.00.

On our way we decided to go back to Godrevy Point to walk Lottie as it was only a minor detour.

The lighthouse

This time we drove beyond the main car park to the field at the end of the road near the lighthouse.

We set out for a walk up the hill away from the lighthouse with the large Lurcher eager to explore new ground.

walking towards St Ives

Near the cliff top was a sign indicating that seals basked on the beach below.



It requested quiet voices and no sudden movements to avid startling them. We crept to the edge where several people were standing. It was high tide and the beach was full of seals relaxing on the sand.

The resting seals were unconcerned by the people far above them. I hoped Lottie wouldn’t bark but she waited patiently while we watched the occasional movement form the recumbent seals below.

St Ives from Godrevy Point

After awhile we walked Lottie around to the lighthouse where we were protected from the stiff wind. The views across the bay to St Ives were lovely.

We went back to Sally-Van for a long lunch rest. Lottie lay outside on the grass sheltered from the wind by the field’s stone wall.

good winds for sailing

After lunch we went back up the hill to look at the seals. The tide had gone out and we thought they had gone. We walked along the coast path away from the lighthouse to give Lottie a good run.
As we passed the beach on the way back I saw something move.
“The seals are there,” I said.

further along the coast path

As we watched our eyes gradually made out the seals that had moved down the beach. Lying between rocks, stones and seaweed they were almost invisible.

We walked back to the main vantage point. A large seal came out of the water and headed straight to a mum and her pup. She objected to the visitor by squealing loudly baring her teeth and trying to thump it with her flipper.

How many seals?

After a couple of minutes the newcomer retreated and left her alone.

We drove straight from Godrevy Point to Gwinear Camp site. We arrived at 3.40 and chose one of the level pitches. One was next to the toilet block so we picked the other which was next to a giant caravan with pull out sides.

the seal beach from the cliffside

Fortunately the pitches were well spaced apart so it didn’t feel too close.

We went over to our daughters for dinner. We had good food and great company before returning to the site in the dark after 9.00.

mum seal  argues with intruder seal

Mum seal left alone with her pup

Our pitch was not beside a bright light which I prefer as I sleep better when it is dark outside. The site was very quiet apart from the wind which gusted throughout the night.