We had a short drive over - since we had spent the previous few days with
Steph in Newbridge. We had to drop some stuff off at Presteigne (the storage
unit was closed - I had forgotten it was Sunday!). Then broke for Sunday lunch
at the Sawley Arms - a place we knew from a previous visit. then continued up
the A49 with a stop over at Stokesay castle.
We all gathered at Botvyle campsite - a Camping and Caravan club site - near
Church Stretton. There were nine of us for the first night in four vans and a
car.
We had eaten on our earlier stop on the way over so had snacks for dinner,
whilst the others sorted themselves out and then gathered for a group
"blether" outside.
-
Monday we woke to a sunny day with a good outlook, and worked out
a walk on the far side of the valley, up Inwood hill and around to the
Yew Tree pub in All Stratton.
The pub welcomed us and we had a table in a room by the kitchens, then
back to the campsite via Cael Caradoc
Monday evening followed a generic formula with everyone finding their own dinner then over to the campsite room (it was colder this night) for a continuation of the nattering.
-
Tuesday and a band of rain came over and stubbornly remained for the
morning. Alan and Lyn had left early to get home, so it was seven of us
that settled for an easy day -
we walked along the roads back to the Yew Tree
(again) and tried to wait out the rain. Back at the campsite, Dominique
left to go to work - now we are six.
Back at the campsite we all hibernated until late afternoon. I got restless as the day improved and slipped out to go and find the cave on Caer Caradoc, and returned before everyone else emerged. It was still a little drizzly but not enough to warrant water proofs.
The evening was a repeat of the night before.
-
Wednesday, and it was a repeat of Monday's weather, and we determined
where to go by the pub we could reach for lunch - this time the Royal Oak
in Cardington.
We repeated my solo excursion from yesterday, however instead of coming
back to the campsite we went over to Cardington and the pub. Back to the campsite via the direct route over the fields and
another afternoon hibernation.
The evening was another repeat of the previous ones.
- Thursday the rain was back, but the outlook was for improvement. Sue and I however needed to leave for home - a 4 hour drive at best. that left the remaining 4 to go out - their plan was to go over the Lawley.
The journey back home was as expected, although we drove through several
showers including one much heavier.