Re:
Thanks everybody.
Okay, so the birthday boy was determined to make it to the top of the Worcestershire Beacon today. My sister and brother in law arranged to meet me at the top. They drove to the Wyche Cutting that cuts out about 500 ft of climbing, and walked up the easier paved route. I meanwhile would tackle traversing the front East Face, which my sister referred to as the Donkey Trail - never heard it called that before.
By the time I had got to the grassy knoll above St Ann’s Well, I had that sinking feeling you get when you just don’t think that you have it in you. Anyway, it wasn’t a race, and I know the terrain well, so off we set in good spirits.
You can sort of get the idea from this picture of the trail sweeping back and forth with its hairpin bends. It is easier overall than other routes, but there are still some steep sections.
Looking towards North Hill:
Worsc Beacon Donkey Trail by
Philip Mock, on Flickr
Looking South towards Jubilee Drive, with the Herefordshire Beacon just visible in the distance:
Worsc Beacon Donkey Trail_1 by
Philip Mock, on Flickr
Nearly at the top looking down onto where I was yesterday. The sheep are currently grazing on the slopes, which helps maintain the Hills, but they are penned in with electric fencing:
Worsc Beacon Donkey Trail_3 by
Philip Mock, on Flickr
Anyway despite my reservations (and advice from a Surgeon’s Registrar) I made it to the top. I reckon I could call that back to normal. My brother in law took this one, then the 3 of us made our way back down to the Wyche Cutting for a birthday meal at Café H2O, which is popular with cyclists:
Worsc Beacon 130819 by
Philip Mock, on Flickr
Pip
all heading in different directions on their leads, and quite a few cyclists too.
