Eleven walkers met in the public car park behind Coal Aston Village Hall. Our walk leaders, Hilary & Ann had considered two routes depending on the weather. Given the damp conditions and the heavy rain over the past few days they opted for the dryer of the two routes taking in more of the tarmaced tracks in this area.
We set off along Eckington road but turned off onto Owler Car Lane at the far end of the village. Despite the recent rainfall, the ford in the valley was only 2 to 3 inches deep but most of the group chose to step over the brook and use the footbridge. Following a short climb towards Povey farm we took the broad farm track on the right towards Ryall’s Wood. After exiting the wood we continued on to Geerlane Farm and then on the quiet road to Birleyhay where we had our morning coffee break.
We passed by the mill pond where the eagle eyed amongst the group spotted a grey heron. From this point we made our way through fields to join the road passing through Troway, taking the path opposite the Gate Inn. Graham has done research on the wood we have passed through many times and has found that it is named “Mires Spring Wood”.
The last part of the walk took us along Sicklebrook Lane and Eckington Road back to our cars. We thanked Hilary and Ann for leading us round and keeping us relatively mud free.
