Stage 10a actually starts at Haughmond but combining the entire length with Stage 9 was just too far, so that section will be for another time and the report will no doubt appear below in due course.
It was a very cold December morning that saw me leave the warmth of the car and watch it disappear down the road. I had double layers plus my hat and wasn't warm but figured a brisk march would do the trick, it didn't and I soon stopped to add gloves. The hamlet of Rodington was soon reached across an icy field but then it was a lane down to Isombridge which, whilst quiet, meant Rosie had to stay on the lead. I did wonder whether she might get cold walking at my pace rather than her frantic speed but she seemed fine about it. From there, the path follows a stream for a little while then breaks out into fields behind the sewage works and across to Admaston on nice country paths.
A couple of roads to negotiate and we were into the Dothill country park which was very pleasant and avoided the main roads until finally emerging in the centre of Wellington. The country park featured many paths, a few lakes where the wildlife birds we walking rather than paddling across the lake, much to my amusement.
With Rosie, Wellington was a challenge but eventually we made it and completed this short section of the route. For me, it continues on Stage 9 as it made more logical sense to walk this in reverse.
Right, pay attention! So I did stage 10a from Rodington to Wellington a while ago - the report is above this one. This time I did the section from Rodington to Haughmond Hill which is in the opposite direction to the previous walk. There was a reason for this, and it is that I wanted to complete the entirety of Stage 10 which runs into Shrewsbury and continue South on the first part of Stage 1. Keeping up? Good!
Starting where I started last time, I headed off in the opposite direction. The weather was distinctly warmer and I was in a T-Shirt for the entire day. The route combines fields and short sections of lane to eventually arrive in Haughmond Hill Woods. Route marking is generally very good but having the route downloaded onto my phone was a distinct advantage.
The woodland section is very pleasant on very good paths. There are several marked trails in the woodland so quite busy with other walkers. It is about 2-3km from the entry point to the car park where there is a small cafe, although today it was closed, which was something of a disappointment. Given that I had only walked around 8km, it was a little early for a significant stop anyway. I continued down on a main road to Haughmond Abbey. Section 10a ends at the main road opposite the remains of Haughmond Abbey, where Stage 10b takes over.
It is quite mixed walking from Haughmond to Shrewsbury but mostly off road which is nice. After a few fields and a woodland track, the path makes its way down meet the River Severn which it follows right the way into Shrewsbury.
Due to the meandering nature of the river, it seems an awful long way to the bridge that is used to get onto the South side. The walkway is also shared by cyclists so can be very busy but eventually I arrived at the bridge.
It is not straightforward to access it, requiring walking some 200 metres up a slope in the wrong direction to get to the road before turning back to cross the bridge, which, incidentally, is a toll bridge. Walkers go free but cars must pay 30p per crossing.
It is at this point that Stage 1 begins, so if you want to keep reading, head over there for the continuation.
