Following a few of Offa's footsteps

13 Oct 2012

We've definitely got the bug now. Having joined the Long Distance Walkers Association and signed up for the South Shropshire Circular in February we are now investigating unknown country on the other side of Stiperstones. 

Starting off from Marton, where the SSC starts, at 1215 we headed east up towards Long Mountain. The first section leads up from the post office in Marton and soon gets into some seriously muddy fields before entering a wood with a very steep path. 

Black Bryony

Welshpool

We missed the stile at the top of the wood but saw it once we'd gone past and arrived in the lane. Diverse hedgerow included some black bryony full of berries which Sue managed to photograph. We up the lane and took a turn to the left towards Red House. It looked like a footpath on the map but it wasn't or isn't now anyway. A 1.5km trek to the end proved that it was a dead end. To be fair the path on the map didn't quite meet the next path and we should really know better than think we can just jump through gaps on the map. If the paths don't meet, don't go there!

Back on the lane we headed for the next path left. It wasn't quite where we expected either and we ended up further up the hill but it wasn't a problem. We soon entered the woods and after a slight diversion reached the road. A snack of coffee, nuts and grapes got us on our way and we then had an easy downhill trot to meet Offa's Dyke, although it was a bit further than we thought.

We set off on Offa's at 2.28 having done 7.6km, and proceeded to climb back up adjacent to the hill we had just run down. At the top of the slope we saw the path from the lane that had a 'no entry' sign; clearly the landowner, Leighton Estates, likes to punish walkers.  Three buzzards flew overhead, bizarrely joined by a solitary crow who joined their circling formation, evidently a case of species uncertainty. 

Walking along Offa's Dyke

The walk through the forest was a pleasant diversion after the road section and since this was a national route, the signage was good with a simple acorn symbol to follow. But the forest clearly has a story to tell as shown by the huge brick wall around one of the ponds, which was presumably linked to its industrial past. A monkey puzzle tree at 9.5km also showed evidence of planting of exotic species.

Colours of autumn

The track led back to the road for a short distance where there was a distinct deer-like movement in the woods opposite, but it didn't stick around long enough to be identified. We took a right turn towards Beacon Ring and then through a stile into a field. Several goldfinches flew across our path and on the final approach to Beacon Ring we came across a very large flock of finches, but too far away to identify clearly. 

Beacon Ring

We arrived at the ring at 3.36pm, 11.5km. The mound is topped by a beech plantation which we subsequently learned was planted in the coronation year and the planting also includes a group of conifers which spell out 'E II R' from the air. The source was a guide from the Powys Archaeological Trust who was conducting a guided walk for local children, and in his final sweep for lost infants found us floundering about in the thicket and led us back to the lane. 

Modest statue at The Beeches

Once back on the lane we headed down to the road and took a left back to Marton. This was an easy downhill section which we ran full pelt covering 2.5km in half an hour. Just hope that we don't get sent up this hill on the SSC!