Eleven of us took the challenge of the Clun Valley last Saturday. 2 routes were available of 16 or 25-miles.
10 of us set off to do the 25-miles. The event was organised by the Long Distance Walkers Association. After a
talk in the Clun Community Hall there was a mass start of 175 participants at 8am. The first 11-miles of the walk
both the 16 and 25-milers would stay together. Out of the hall and up towards the fields took us to the first bottle
neck as we all lined up to get over the stile. This had the effect of thinning out the crowd and split up our
group of 11. Dean, Neale, Bill and Dave rushing off in front and that was the last we saw of most of them until
the end. The day was cloudy and cool but so far dry. We were soon up on the hills following the Shropshire Way.
Soon we turned off to skirt Worns Wood, up hill again we headed for Bryn then skirted round the back of Argoods
Wood and Captains Coppice to reach Check Point 1. The snacks and drinks were plentiful as everyone took a
short break. Thanking the CP volunteers we headed off once again. It was beginning to resemble a roller-coaster
as we headed once again downhill then uphill through a large expanse of woodland. Reaching King Grove Farm
we came to a part that wasn't clear which which way to go. As we stood and contemplated the Farmer came
running over to show us the way. A really lovely guy. Heading into Clunton (sadly the pub was shut) we headed
once again into thick woodland twisting and turning for about a mile before reaching CP2 at Fiddler's Elbow,
and some amazing lunch time hot food. The rain hit hard here as we sheltered under the awning. Off we went
again this time with Neale who had waited here for us and left the other three to rush on ahead. Up on the hills
again, we were treated to some amazing views of long sweeping valleys, woodland and hills going off into the distance.
Off past Bergam, Fowdon, Wheelbarrow Bridge, Pentre, Chapel Lawn and Squire, then it was the steepest, meanest
hill of the whole day 'Stow Hill' at 1377ft. We knew we had climbed it by the time we reached the top!!!
Then it was a 3-mile trek across open country while the rain lashed down and the wind blew. The rain stopped
as soon as it began and the sun came out again. Really weird weather today. We dried out quickly as the sun
warmed us up. We reached Five Turnings and CP3 with more snacks and drinks. Leaving here we accumulated other
hikers on the Challenge and we decided to finish the last 5-miles together. We went astray together looking
for Offa's Dyke Path, we thoroughly enjoyed the company and laughter of the last few miles. Our legs were
getting tired and with the joking and banter the miles and final hills flew beneath our feet. On reaching the
hall and the end meal we met up with Dave, Dean, and Bill who had their own funny tales to tell. Dave and Bill
got attached to a lady called Jan (superwoman) who walks 30-miles just to go for a stroll. She has done the
Long Mynd (50 Miles) in 13-hours!!! Needless to say they were breathing very heavily by the end. Trouble was
they had to keep up with her and her hubby Jim or they would of been wandering the hills all night trying to get back to Clun as us lot behind had kidnapped Neale and the map!! Dean who came in 15-mins before them had the same
trouble and also had to keep up with the guy he had attached himself to. All of us completed the Challenge - So
well done us lot. To all the organisers and volunteers of the Challenge - it was a fantastic event.
All of you helpful, smiling and fantastic people. Great food too.