We thought we were going to the land of Worcestershire sauce. It turned out that what Worcester really wants to tell you about is Edward Elgar. The composer of Land of Hope and Glory grew up around here and has a good big statue in the city centre. I didn't take a photo of that one, so here we are gazing soulfully at the Malvern Hills, instead. I had spent my time off at Easter and Spring Bank redecorating and shifting furniture around for new carpets. Two bedrooms now looked a lot better, and it was time for a proper holiday. So, on the hottest May bank holiday ever, we were in Worcester. I was afraid it would be packed. However, all the sensible people had gone to the seaside. We easily got seats for lunch at Good Roots cafe (which was larger than I expected, too). After an enjoyable brunch we wandered down to the River Severn, where a man with a ferry boat was waiting to take us across to the other side. He rowed, we paid 50p each. A good deal. We followed a rough approximation...
It was a walk with a time limit today. The car park at Middleton Top offered 3 hours for £3.50, or all day for £7. I decided I could do 8 miles in 3 hours. Let's go! No time to sit and look at the view! Along the railway line, then off to the right. I diverted from the official Portway route here, but any ancient path has been obliterated by quarrying, anyway. Onwards, past a considerable amount of building work at Moor Farm, and an overgrown cliff that used to be Hopton Quarries. I read the name off the map, but wouldn't realise its significance until later. A tramline ran from the railway to the quarry, and a narrow bridge still remains. I went underneath it and through a farmyard, then up a steep field full of sheep. I was pretty close to the wind turbines now. They really are formidable beasts. From afar they look delicate, but at this distance the huge blades scythe through the sky, tempting you to duck even though you are well out of range. Bearing right, I tramped steadi...