Not getting lost on Corndon

22 July 2012

Another crack at the Corndon route, just to make sure we have it sorted.

Set off from The Bog at 8.46 after seeing the solo red kite flying near Stiperstones car park once again. Shortly after setting off we saw the rabbit and jay - groundhog day in Shropshire.

A walker and a runner and several cars passed, the sun has brought everyone out. Arrived at Shelve at 9.15, 2.6km where there was some harebell and lady’s bedstraw in the hedgerow. Nine swallows spotted on the wire, a bit early for gathering for return to Africa surely.

Harebell and Lady's Bedstraw.

Shelve church.

Forestry Commission track at Shelve reached at 9.29, 

3.6km. No sign of Mr Wellies today. First ravens of the day heard croaking above the woods. Reached the farm alongside A488 after avoiding last week’s detours at 9.43, 4.6km. A488 was a bit treacherous, especially on the bends but at least the verge wasn’t too wet when we had to clamber up to avoid being mown down.

Corndon from Shelve road.

Forestry sign at Shelve.

Looking back at Shelve, Stiperstones in background.

Southern marsh orchid.

Arrived in Powys at 10.02, 6.01km. Hadn’t noticed last week that the Powys sign displayed a red kite. Stopped for coffee and sandwich at the church again, but noticed that it now had a next service scheduled that evening, so not just a tombola hall after all.

Church at White Grit.

Entering Powys, land of the Red Kite.

Old mine building.

Old mine building by A488 

Yes they do have services.

Lovely aroma of meadowsweet on the lane up to Corndon from White Grit. Sun now beating down and makes climb up Corndon much tougher. Reached summit after twenty minutes at 10.52, 8.57km, which means we have gained at least half an hour on last week already. Surprising to see no-one here though. In last week’s greyness there were several bands of walkers but not one today.

Corndon hill sign.

Gate at foot of Corndon.

Looking back to path from Corndon.

Woodgate Farm sign.

Kestrel hovering as we set off along the ridge. Found the downward pointing arrow again round the corner and set off down the track which was a good deal drier this time. Reached the gate at the foot of Corndon at 11.21, 10.00km, then found way to Woodgate Farm with ease by 11.37, 10.86km. Easy when you know the way!

Straight on through Little Cefn Farm and then following the yellow arrows until the woods. Still boggy here but not quite as bad and the pig trough stile appeared after a very short time making us realise how much time and energy we wasted last week. After crossing the stile, had lunch on the bank. Sue’s flapjacks are the best yet. 12.13, 12.68km. Only Black Rhadley to go now.

Follow the yellow arrows.

Giant hogweed.

Old farm building near A488.

On the way to the A488.

After a tiny uncertainty we found the route fairly easily down to the A488 and along to Welsh Lodge. Fortunately not too far on the road which was again pretty busy. Arrived at Welsh Lodge at 12.30, now nearly two hours up on last week.

Buzzard spotted again as we passed Nind, although a solo bird this time. The lane up to Black Rhadley was a real trudge in the heat, broken by a final coffee and flapjack stop, but the path up to the summit was easy going as long as we avoided the inquisitive cows with their calves. Reached summit at 1.55, 17.94km. Not quite fast enough to make it in five hours then, but a lot better than last week. 

Corndon seen form Black Rhadley summit.

Cow blocks Black Rhadley path.

Cows and calves.

Rock formation from Black Rhadley.

It’s a surprisingly long trek back up to The Bog, wonder if we might consider a path across the hill during the Hike, although keeping to the road is likely to be safer in the dark. Arrived at The Bog at 2.32, 21.00km, accompanied by some swifts, and had a look in the visitor centre where the cafe was doing a roaring trade. Some useful interpretation boards inside explaining the mining history of the area and a good selection of local books.

And having finally cracked this section we retired to The Bridges for the ritual pint and a half.

Pint and a half at The Bridges.