Walk 16/2008 – Two Beacons Walk

Sunday 13th July 2008

Read on to learn about the latest Walking Club farce.

Despite the apparent distance, it only took just over 2 hours to reach Great Malvern and we parked at the foot of the Malvern ridge. The walk started with a zig–zag path straight up onto the ridge. From here there were great views on either side as we walked along the ridge reaching the highest point at the Worcestershire Beacon. Further along, the path up North Hill appeared to be closed off, so most of us walked around. There were plenty of paths to choose from.

As we came off of the ridge, our route turned south and we followed footpaths along the western side of the ridge at a lower level. It was along here that we came across a narrow gauge railway which had a sign claiming to be the oldest in the world. This claim sounded rather unlikely for what seemed to be a recent tourist attraction. However a bit of research later established that there used to be a number of narrow gauge railways dating from the early ninteenth century which were used to transport rock from the quarries.

When we got to Everdine, the Herefordshire Beacon was looming large in front of us and we decided that Stuart, Graham and Owen would go ahead so that they could climb up that hill which was not on the planned route. The rest of us would plod along and they would catch up with us on the ridge back which was quite narrow and therefore easy to spot people. It was a good plan in theory!

So the boys shot off along a footpath and quickly disappeared. The slow group strolled down the village street of Everdine. At the far end of the village we were just approaching our turn down a footpath, when who should appear coming from the other direction, than the fast group.

So after a quick chuckle and various derogative comments about going faster, the boys shot off again and disappeared from sight at an even faster rate.

It was at this point that, in hindsight, the plan started to go wrong. The slow group missed the path and ended up tramping through the wilderness (see picture 11). We eventually located an overgrown path (not actually the one we should have been on) which, after negotiating a mixture of stinging nettles and mud, took us up to British Camp.

There are some public toilets here, and so the opportunity was taken for a pit stop. As I waited nearby, I looked up to see Rosemarie coming out of the toilets with a man. Yes, she had walked into the wrong toilets. She appeared to look somewhat redder when she came out than when she had gone in. [Ed – Rosemarie, are you that desperate to get picked up?]

To add to our time here, Rosemarie and Karen, who had chosen to wear sandals which had not fared too well in the mud, decided to try and wash some of the mud from between their toes.

But eventally we got on our way and were quickly on the ridge. Jane, who was on her first walk, looked a bit disbelieving as we assured her we really were going to walk over the three hills she could see in front of her.

Of course you can guess what had happened. The three boys had got onto the ridge before us. So they were in front and not the slow group. So the slow group were going along slower and slower thinking surely they will catch us up soon. And the fast group were going along faster and faster trying to catch up.

This is actually quite a bad scenario, because logically it means the gap between the two groups is continually increasing and that they will never meet!

So when the slow group did eventually decide to return to the cars, it was to find three frustrated boys who had been waiting for over an hour.

Hopefully they have seen the funny side by now.

In hindsight, the plan should have included us making contact by phone once we were on the ridge.

Report – Alan

Pictures – Alan

Walk rating – Very good

A view from the ridge.

Looking back towards the Herefordshire Beacon.

This parasailor has to wait some time for a decent breeze.

Looking back along the ridge.

Owen’s looking good as he conquers another hill.

The view guide at the highest point.

Anyone for a cone?

We suddenly came across this narrow gauge railway station. Apparently this is the oldest narrow gauge railway in the world – circa early nineteenth century. It used to serve the quarries.

Looking on towards the Herefordshire Beacon.

A tree.

This was the bit where we lost the footpath.

We ended up down a well wooded path.

Yes, we have to cross each of those hills before we reach the car.

As we near the end of our walk, we can see the Worcestershire Beacon ahead which was the first hill of the day.