It was a wet start to the day and to make matters worse, my phone hadn’t charged over night, with only 34% juice left. Figuring it was the cable, I had to wait around for the shops to open to get a new one.
Tesco opened at 8am. 30mins later I had a new cable, my lunch and started out on the walk. Being a veteran on these sort of jaunts, I had packed my power bank. My battery worries now over, I got to what I do best, walking.
Three kilometres later I had left Lichfield behind following a country road in the direction of Cannock Chase. Thankfully the rain eased.
The first village out of Lichfield is Farewell; the route passes behind the church. Saying farewell to Farewell Church, it is country fields and small forest trails to Gentleshaw, which is on the edge of Cannock Chase. 10km down!
Into the chase I went. Woodland as far as the eye could see. This is also the hilly section of day. Following the undulating path dodging mountain bikers, whom were more mud than cyclist, I enjoyed the scenery.
The sun was desperately trying to break through the dark grey clouds, but they loomed over menacingly. At 14km I stopped and ate my pasta while sitting on a gate. There is a lack of picnic benches!
After another 2km, the down pours forced me to put my coat back on and zip up. With the wind, the rain was driving sideways. After 10mins I was sure that was it for the day. However as quickly as the deluge started, it was chased away by beaming sunshine! Best thing is, it remained sunny for the rest of the way into Stafford!
While weaving through the woods I came upon a herd of deer. At first I thought they were painted wooden sculptures (they weren’t moving and I didn’t have my glasses on). As I got closer I saw one of their ears twitch.
Shortly further on I came up to an even bigger herd, right by the path. Although they kept an eye on me, they didn’t seem to mind my presence.
With the sun shining and the route now going gently downhill, I was in my element. I exited Cannock Chase at Milford to begin the last leg into Stafford.
I chose to join the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal to avoid a section that passes sewage works. Eventually I left the canal to follow the banks of the river Sow into Stafford, completing the day’s walk at St. Chads Church. It’s been a journey of the two chads.
Stu's Camino 