Today we had to move the campervan, Bambo, as well as do a walk that involved meeting up with three men and a dog. This is the first dog of the blog and is called Cilla. More about this later!
After leaving the car in a car park near the Ironbridge we went back to Bridgenorth for me to start walking. There were plenty of potential distractions in Bridgenorth. I tried out the Cliff Railway because it’s good to have unusual firms of transport on the End to End. It is the steepest and shortest in Britain at a 1 in 1.8 gradient. There are great views from the top.
I was soon back on the Severn Way negotiating the golf course before joining the Sustrans route 45 which was my main route to Ironbridge. It actually runs alongside the Severn Way but because it is a disused railway line it is flatter, wider and has a smoother walking surface. It is now named the Mercian Way and I have used sections of it before including yesterday. It is a continuation of the Severn Valley line we’d travelled on but this part is disused. Some signs of the railway still exist in cuttings and a station.
It was a beautiful green shaded route and I was glad I’d chosen it. Just in time for lunch my walking companions appeared around a bend and we stopped for a picnic.
Chris, Alain and Eric are members of the Lay Community of St Benedict and I have often met them in Wolverhampton for regional meetings. As Wolverhampton didn’t seem that far away I invited them to join in today and they happily accepted along with Cilla, blog dog number 1.
As we sat on a stile eating our sandwiches Bob came by so now with a full compliment of walkers and full tummies we set off for Ironbridge.
On the way into Ironbridge we visited St Mary’s church Jackfield where we read about how a large section of the village had fallen into the River Severn in 1952 after a significant landslip.
Arriving at the iron bridge itself we crossed over for some refreshments on the north side of the river to mark the end of a hot but companionable days walking.
Nunc dimitiss
Holy God, now let your weary servants go in peace.
Your promise to see the hope and love you have prepared for us has been kept.
It is wonderful indeed.
Like a light: glorious in every way to those who embrace your kindom.
Glory, Glory, Glory
Creator, Son and Spirit,
Amen, Amen, Amen.
JAL 14.05.2019
Day 39 of the End to End, Bridgenorth to Ironbridge on the Mercian Way