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Day 27 Spoonley Gate to Penkridge (Cowgate)

 

Sarah joined us again for her third stint walking with us (glutton for punishment!)



Today was the longest day Garry had walked, started on tracks, included some fields, lanes and a canal towpath. Garry set off form the AirBnB in Spoonley Gate whilst me and Sarah did the car drop off. He went through Oaken and Perton.



We met together at Codsall (after me and Sarah had a cuppa and a scone!)

St Chads church in Codsall.


All was going well as walked on tracks through fields . Then we came across a field full of mother cows and their calves blocking the gateway we needed to exit the field so we chose a small diversion along some lanes.

          

On the diverted route we found ourselves in a field with some lively young cows. There were no diversion available so we summoned up all knowledge of cow taming and headed through. I was the most 'nervous'! I did find my teacher voice and a half hearted arms out. Sarah and Garry were much braver and Garry walked slowly towards them and they did run away. This happened a few times. 

We didn't quite make the gate but made our escape over a low barbed wire fence.

We (I) rushed through the next field to find the gate tied up and a overgrown path (part of the Staffordshire Way or Cross Britain Way). We managed to clamber over, and Alfie crawled under. 
After a short while we found an open lane and we could relax a little! Even walking over the M54 was more pleasurable than what we had experienced!
After the adventures of the morning, we found Avenue bridge over the Shropshire canal to have our lunch.

We continued through woodland and lanes until we joined the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal, plenty of barges, locks, swans and ducklings.
        

       

      


As we headed towards Penkridge with rather weary feet and legs, we called in at the Roundhouse by Roundhouse bridge and lock to rest our legs and to have ice creams.
      

     


The final stint took us along the canal to the CrossKeys bridge where we had a drink and then walked the final section back to the car. 



A long day for us all with 19.3 miles walked for Garry and 12.5 miles for me and Sarah.

Over 40,000 steps for Garry and over 30,000 for me and Sarah.

Onto our next Airbnb in Hednesford for a good night's sleep!

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