16/08/15 - Queen and Castle

Distance - 6.88 Miles
Geocaches - 7
Walk Inspiration - Stage 27 of the Millennium Way
Pub - Queen and Castle, UBU Purity

This leg of the Millennium Way is the Poster Boy Route for the entire trail.  Can there be a finer starting place for a walk than Kenilworth Castle?

Kenilworth Castle

The route has me circling the walls of this impressive ruin, offering occasional glimpses of what is inside.  A few micro caches mean that the walk takes a while to get going.

But get going it does.  There's not a huge amount to say about the walk - its simply a classic countryside ramble on fine paths.

Fine Paths like these

Fine countryside like this

The last of the caches (for now) is near Fernhill Farm and i can concentrate on the walking.  At one point, I join the Warwickshire Ramblers - as I catch up with and then overtake about 20 elderly walkers.  Its not the fact that they are aged that means I easily overtake them - its the amount of stuff they are carrying.  I wonder why every last one of them has at least a 35l rucksack, fully packed.

They must be having a much better lunch than me.

The wildlife is a touch more exotic than expected at Gospel Oak Farm.  These are protected by a dog that is best described a pseudo St Bernard, who is fine with me until I take a photo and then comes galloping over, barking his head off.

Have their own Guard Dog

There's usually a surprise on my rambles and today's is at the next cache location.  The information board reveals that this was a WWII Anti Aircraft placement.  Quite apt really, as the only noise on this walk is the planes that are coming in to land at Birmingham International.

WWII Anti Aircraft Site

The locals have a sense of humour as well, but I don't take them up on their kind offer.

Free Dog Poo Bags - Nice Touch!

The Millennium Way shares the return path with the Centenary Way - a Long Distance Path to celebrate 100 years of Warwickshire County Council.

Centenary Way and Millennium Way

In no time at all, I am back at the castle - sharing the paths with rather more tourists than at the start.

The Queen and Castle is handily placed directly opposite for the post walk pint.  Quite a fine looking pub with a rather beautiful beer garden.

I decide to go local - with a Purity UBU.

Queen and Castle

UBU Purity

Stage 27 out of 44 of the Millennium Way - and at the moment, its winning the prize as the best section.