A Whittington Walk

Determined to get to know our immediate area much better and on foot, we embarked upon a Whittington walk today.

Whittington is a delightful little village not far from Lichfield and I noticed an advert on the village website recently for a book outlining Ten Circular Walks around Whittington, available from the Parish Clerk (who lives in Cannock!). I duly sent a cheque for £3 and the book appeared with full directions and maps. Most walks started and ended at The Bell pub which seemed as good a place as any to end a walk.
Today we chose the Huddlesford Footpaths walk. 4 miles along the canal to Huddlesford and then back across fields to the village. The weather was perfect, more autumn than winter and armed with OS map, book, dog and dort we set off.

The walk followed the canal for a mile or so before turning on to footpaths, over stiles, through bogs and along tracks. A wonderful way to while away a couple of hours. I had not realised quite how close to the mainline railway route we are and as Virgin trains crossed our paths every few minutes, I tried to imagine what the countryside would look like in 15 years time with the HS2 route near enough straight through our walk. I would recommend listening to the Richard Bacon podcast this week where he interviews Pete Waterman who is an avid train spotter and expert, he has an interesting take on the HS2, good listening!


http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017wygv




Depressing to see a pub we once frequented To Let, closed down and looking rather forlorn at the side of the canal. A great pity, they always served rather good bar food in a lovely setting but with over 25 pubs a week currently closing, it is easy to see how this slightly out of the way at the end of a very dark road with no street lights and not situated in a village or even hamlet would have to take stock and close its doors.


On returning to the village and feeling a little faint, we were forced into the pub for refreshments and reflection. A good morning had by all and had to be a huge improvement to the alternative of supermarket shopping.

A Misty Morn in November

What better to blow away the excesses of the previous evening's dinner and a cooked breakfast than a ramble in the countryside? Armed with map, boots, waterproofs, oh and the puppydog, we set out on a gentle 6 mile hike from Fradley Junction. 

Have not been to FJ for years, even a tarmac road to pub these days! The walk started from the pub and we followed the canal for about 2.5 miles. The colours, even on such a misty day were amazing.

Only 66 miles to Preston Brook.

Monster mushrooms growing amongst the fallen leaves.

Kings Bromley Wharf, not a lot going on there these days.

Don't they know the canal is closed around the bend?

After about 2 miles we left the canal behind us and continued along a B road towards Kings Bromley.

Wonderful autumnal colours in every garden. Soon we found a farm track and a long horned cow.

 aahhhh, baby fresians.

Next stop, Alrewas Hayes, (nice wedding venue). Beautiful farmhouse although pity about the bit stuck on at the end to change what must have been a beautiful symmetrical Georgian farmhouse.

Maize? No, bamboo? now why would anyone grow so much bamboo?

Across a field of brassicas.....across a wood by the mobile homes and finally a wonderful sight.

2 hours in total, a great walk, hardly anyone about and those of us hardy souls who were, well our spirits were lifted by a trudge, a yomp, a ramble, a hike, a meander, anything you may wish to call it. A brilliant walk.

Pear Tarte Tatin

Autumn fruit is amazing. A colleague handed me a huge bag of pears so feeling somewhat energetic this week I set to and made a pear and ginger cake for his meeting. Unfortunately he didn't actually get any of it, so better set to and make another one.

Pear Tarte Tatin, almost better than apple. Thanks, Gordon.

One of those days

I feel like writing one of those letters which is signed Disgruntled of Lichfield.

Yet not really a bad day, the Freecycling continued after work. Garden furniture to a delightful couple who were on their way to the tip in their van and asked if I had anything they wanted me to take with them. You see, brief connections with people like this in the everyday humdrum of life often reassure you that, after a rubbish night's sleep (or doze should I say), most people are genuinely nice and want to help.

What is a house worth?

Listened to a laughable offer today. Incensed, infuriated and indeed I did laugh and said positively no, we are in no hurry to sell. But what if it is the only offer? The market is static, bills need paying, closure needs addressing, what price a house where you spent so much of your life as a child, a teenager, a young married 20 something, a 30 something mother, daughter, sister, you cannot put a price on that. I find I am defending the fact it has 'potential for improvement' - estate agent speak. Why does everyone need an ensuite these days or an island in the kitchen? It was fine for us growing up and the grandchildren growing up who have such fond, happy, hysterically funny at times memories of this house and their grandparents. I suspect the emotional ties now the house is becoming a shell of its former self are beginning to loosen. The day is fast approaching for the final time when we shall lock up the back, close the front door, close all the downstairs doors, draw the curtains and taken a final look behind us as we say goodbye. Tears will flow.

How lucky we consider ourselves to have those memories, how sad they are all in the past.

and so the Freecycling continues....

I had to ask my hubs the name for this...the sack truck, useful I'm sure but I had no idea of its name. So many responses. Came down to 'I have a disabled husband and would really appreciate it', no brainer as to the need.







The twin beds have gone to 'our friend who has recently opened a day centre and respite for the elderly and would be well cared for'.






The garden chairs, parasol and table go to the lady whose daughter is 'trying to make her garden nice for her and her daughter'.





Freecycling reassures your sense of what is right in the world.
You are all welcome.

Freecycling

What is it about Freecycle which gives such a sense of satisfaction?

I was introduced to it about a year ago by a friend who seemed surprised at my lack of knowledge. Once she had explained the premise and philosophy behind it, I created an email account just for freecycling and advertised my first item…..a chest freezer we were desperate to rid of in the garage as a)too large and b) things got lost in its cavernous base. Within hours of advertising I had received several responses. Now what? Did I choose according to time of email response ie first come first served or perhaps another fairer (in my eyes anyway) method? So I decided that the unwritten rule would be the Most Polite email or the Neediest or the Best Reason given and with that in mind I made my choice. So ‘my son has just moved out to start his own catering business and is desperate for a freezer’ won. The freezer was duly collected, I was thanked profusely and what was even better was the follow up email a day later telling me it was working perfectly in situ and how perfectly it fit the space.

Well, I am currently house clearing and have advertised 2 stereos, a video cassette recorder, 2 breakfast stools, conservatory furniture, DVD player, vinyls (there must be someone out there collecting?), a record player, a coffee table…..most of the items have generated lots of responses from ‘does the DVD work?’ – why on earth would I advertise a broken DVD? That one was deleted straightaway to a most polite email from a lady “I would be grateful for your DVD player my grandson has come to stay with us at the moment he has been using his play station to play his dvd’s but some of them don’t work and gets very disappointed this would be very appreciated, thank you”, of course that decision was made.

A young lady has just called to collect one of the stereo players. She arrived by taxi and used a walking stick as she walked up the drive. She explained she did not drive or have a car and had booked a taxi to collect her freecycle item. She was extremely polite, thanked me profusely and all I asked was she email me to confirm it worked ok when set up (why you may ask, it was free after all).

Dad knows the house is up for sale and is very interested in the process. I know freecycling his belongings in this way would both please and impress him that there are people who value and cherish what once belonged to him. I must tell him all about Freecycle.

Just a few tips….

Taking photos helps and replying with a quick email and photo can confirm or not someone’s interest..

It is useful to be able to send an email to the group stating Taken to explain the item has been claimed and sorry it’s not you…..

A polite response perhaps with a reason will get you far….