Gongoozling

We have just completed our third trip of the year. This time we chose the C&CC site at a place called Wolverley which is a couple of miles north of Kidderminster. The site is within a very short distance of the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal. However, as we discovered onsite, the actual land used for the site was once occupied by a US Military Hospital during WW2. It was a pretty large establishment and covered a total area far larger than that now taken up with the campsite. Amongst the visitors during the war to entertain the recovering troops was Bob Hope who made several visits as well as other stars of that time. The campsite still makes use of two of the original hospital buildings, one for the Reception and the other for the toilet block. If you explore outside the site entrance there are other original buildings visible to the left of the large playing field, albeit nearly in ruins now. We have noticed that several sites we have visited over the years have had some connection with WW2. Leek and Thetford Forest spring to mind but I am sure there are many more.

I like secret gates on campsites, like the one at Chatsworth. This site also has a secret gate that gives you access to the Lock Inn which is next to Wolverley Lock and an ideal place for gongoozling! For our arrival day this was just a reconnoitre to see the lay of the land.

Our first full day on site dawned a bit grey but at least it was dry. We wandered off to find the bus stop where we could catch the bus into Kidderminster. It seemed quite a long uphill trek but we eventually found the stop opposite a school. Wolverley Church dominates the landscape here abouts being on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside. On the way up to the bus stop we passed an enclosure hewn out of the red sandstone. The notice next to it said that it was used for stray animals found wandering in the Parish. They were only released to their owners if they paid a fee!!! Back down the hill and we again found ourselves watching the activity at Wolverley Lock. Next door to the lock is a café where we treated ourselves to coffee and something to eat, they do a mean bacon sandwich. Unlike poor Ed Milliband I did not have the countries press watching me eat it!!!

Refreshed, and no brown sauce down my shirt, we set off to walk to the first lock in the direction of Kidderminster. There was a fair amount of activity on the canal with narrowboats coming and going. We found the lock which seemed to be in the middle of nowhere although we spied a tower block in the distance which must be in the town. A narrowboat was coming through the lock. I offered to close the gate to allow the boaters to get on their way which they were grateful for. In France when you discover a canal lock they always seem to have an indication of how far the next lock is but not here. We strolled back to the campsite to have a rest!!!

The next day was bright and sunny. We had a decision to make do we faff around with the bus or do we walk? It was either a brave or foolish decision but we decided to walk!!! We were uncertain of the distance but it must be between two and three miles which is probably at the limit for how far we can walk these days. Walking is good for the soul and you can dictate the pace. You can chat to people on the way. Get upfront and personal with the wild life, like the Heron I managed to get within feet of in order to take a photograph. You can observe that houses that are now built with their front gardens facing the canal rather than turning their backs to it. We eventually reached Kidderminster Lock with its backdrop of the church. Another holiday boat coming through the lock. It puzzles me why so many of the ladies end up working the locks when the men are standing cool and composed on the stern without a bead of sweat on their brows!!! We had arrived in Kidderminster and took refuge in a nearby M&S Café for lunch wondering how much further our poor, out of condition legs would carry us. We intended to head back by bus but that plan went out the window when the one we needed sailed by before we could get to the bus stop. We succumbed to a taxi ride back which was quite reasonably priced. The cheery cabby asked if we wanted to go direct to the campsite or be dropped off at the Lock Inn. The latter seemed too tempting to be refused and it gave us an excuse for a pint, or at least for me, cheers!!!

More pictures from this trip here http://www.davidklyne.co.uk/travels_in_the_uk_2017.html