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Where to Next?
By
LFTO Features Team
Features
12 May 2008 08:19
Monday morning blues, huh? Know the feeling.
The dismal switch-on chime of your computer sounds an instant death knell for those sweetly-crafted weekend memories; the feel of cool rock under your fingers or the scent of bluebells in some distant wood – it’s all gone the moment you read the words ‘Inbox: 54’.
But not now! Today, LFTO helps you banish the Monday blues with inspiring ideas for where your next days of freedom might take you. And you can help - why not tell us where you've just been and why someone should make it their next priority?
You can send ideas for Where to Next using the comment section below, or via the Forum.
No 1: The Clee Hills, Shropshire
Country Walking writer Nick Hallissey votes for Shropshire's crinkly bits, having fallen in love with them on his first visit.
There’s a lot going on for walkers in Shropshire, including the formation of a new Geopark Trail in the Malverns.
But the highlight has to be the grand opening this summer of a massive upgrade of the southern section of The Shrophsire Way, with new routes, clear waymarking and a vastly improved information network.
Plus there’s a massive new circular trail, starting at Wilderhope Manor Youth Hostel and taking in the Clee Hills, Caer Caradoc, Ragleth, The Long Mynd and the Stiperstones.
Here we are on Titterstone Clee, which was criminally ignored by the trail’s former route and has now been recast as one of its Crown Jewels.
From the summit, you’ll get a truly spectacular view taking in the Malverns, the Wrekin, Wenlock Edge and the Long Mynd, plus the skyscrapers of downtown Brum and – yes – the summit of Cadair Idris, 50 miles or so west.
The range also includes Brown Clee (Shropshire's highest point) and the iron age fort at Nordy Bank, and is home to a fine posse of wild, auburn ponies.
Throw in the Secret Hills Discovery Centre, some scrambling on the Stiperstones and a thriving geocaching community, and you’ve got a heck of a weekend to play with.
Want to know more? Visit www.shropshirewalking.co.uk and see the June issue of Country Walking...
And click here to see how Where to Next? fits into your new-look LFTO!
Pictures by Jim Stabler and Bob Atkins
