JOHN MERRILL'S SWEET PEA CHALLENGE WALK - 27 MILES

ABOUT THE WALK & MY STORY -

Some walks fall into place like clockwork, others take longer to sort out; this one has been the latter! In fact it has taken four years because of problems with rights of way. I have walked more miles in North Shropshire sorting this out than for any other of my challenge walks, but is has been worth it! A chance visit to Hawkstone Follies alerted me to the potential of this “forgotten” walking area. Then stumbling into the delightful town of Wem and its unusual road names crowned with a sweet pea, the idea of a challenge walk here germinated. With the Llangollen canal nearby, which I have both walked and boated, meant I had another point to link on the walk.

(See my book Walking the Llangollen Canal - End to End).

My first attempt from Wem was to the north and a walk over 30 miles long linking the canal. I found great difficulty in following several rights of way, that I had to abandoned the plan. Back to the drawing board I worked out a southern route which again turned out to be 30 miles and again rights of way problems. Combining both I though I could make a weekend walk of 50 miles with Wem as the start, middle and end. But the key right of way was a nightmare so I gave up the idea.

However, I had come to know the area well and still liked it! So pooling what worked and still keeping to original plan of canal and red sandstone I worked out anew route and this time it fell together; so here it is! It is not a demanding strenuous one but a very pleasant “stroll” in North Shropshire. I waited for a good day and set off from Wem in early November under a cloudless but cold sky. Wearing shorts caused a few eyebrows to be raised as I walked through the town, but I did not care it was a day I never wanted to end. The views were stunning and although the last two miles were in the dark it was a walk of great enjoyment and a pleasure to do. I can only hope you have such exceptional weather as I and enjoy this
peaceful area. Please let me know how you got on.

A5 Walk guide, placed in a plastic wrap around cover.

Special embroidered sweet pea cloth badge and signed certificate by John Merrill, are available to successful walkers from John Merrill.

Walkers added to me Walkers Roll of Honour page.