The Tony Smith Report Ansley, Saturday 23rd November Tony and Donna Smith lead a 5.6 Mile Walk Venturing in to Warwickshire saw 18 ramblers setting off from Ansley on a dry but cold November day. Unfortunately the overnight frost hadnt contributed much to drying out the ground and mud was to be a feature of the day. Maybe not much consolation to the walkers other than the walk leaders, Tony & Donna, but the muddy sections were not as muddy as when the walk was reccied! After crossing the green opposite the Boot pub and negotiating a street or two the group were soon into their first crop field - winter rape - on a well defined path. This was the first indication as to the condition of the terrain. For a good part of todays walk we were following the North Arden Trail and to a lesser extent Centenary Way. Near to Galley Common the group had an early decision to make. Follow the base of a hill (which is in fact a former slag heap) or undertake a steepish climb. The group chose the latter option which is not as odd as it seems at first sight. This as the path around the base was very, youve guessed it!, muddy. The former slag heap makes a pleasant viewpoint now that it is covered in closely cropped grass. Descending from the hill we touched on the edge of Lady Wood, skirted Lodge Farm and headed for a late tea stop at Astley Church which is very close to Astley Castle. A seat around a substantial old tree made this a very suitable stop. Astley Castle is, after substantial refurbishment, available as a holiday let. Although named as a castle it was actually a moated, fortified manor house. It dates from the 16th Century and was owned by the Grey family. It is highly likely that Lady Jane Grey, aka the 9 Day Queen, spent some time here. After the tea stop we continued across a number of fields, through Gorsy Spinney and then across part of Oakridge Golf Club and then passing behind the Boot Inn we were back to the cars. Afterwards 14 of the walkers socialised in the bar of the Boot around the log fire which on a cold day was quite welcome. Beer choices included Abbot and Ruddles County. The County at £2.50 a pint just had to be tried.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 06:58:39 +0000