Walking with Aunt Jean up Uncle Stan's hill

I know I said that I was going to walk up Box Hill in Surrey, but Crooksbury Hill was where we went on Wednesday this week. We climbed this hill in memory of my wife's Uncle Stan. This was his favourite hill, and there is a bench on the top dedicated to him. We spent a few days with her Aunt Jean, and had always wanted to climb 'Uncle Stan's Hill' with her. She was only too pleased to take us there.

Crooksbury Hill is another small hill, easy to walk up, but with a great view from the top. Leafy Surrey seems to be laid out before you. We sat on Stan's bench and ate our packed lunch, willing the sun to come out for an even better view! The leaves are all turning, and the trees all yellows and golds at the moment. A great time of year to be out walking. There were four of us for this walk. Myself, Rachael, Bethan and Jean. The dog had been left behind when we came down to visit Jean. After a walk around, we managed a quick drink in the local pub, then went for another walk on Puttenham Common. It was a lovely walk, again with some great views, and trees to climb for Bethan.

The weather has been amazingly mild for the end of October, and being outside to enjoy it during half-term a huge bonus. I've managed 4 hills so far, so I guess I'm on track for the 40, although need to pull my finger out between now and Christmas! I'm still looking for ideas (and friends) for hills, so let me know your thoughts!

3 down, 37 to go!

Caer Caradoc is a geat hill to climb. You can find it just North-East of Church Stretton, and on the oppsite side of the valley to the Long Mynd. As you approach down the A49 it rises up sharply out of the flat plains around. It is a proper hill, with steep sides that make you wonder how you are going to get up.

Bethan, Monty and I met my parents, Carole and Graham, and my brother, Simon, to climb it today. The weather was perfect, overcast for the ascent, followed by sunshine and blue skies coming down. We managed to leave the car near Comley, and walked straight up via Little Caradoc. The picture above is from the top of Little Caradoc (327m), looking towards Caer Caradoc (459m) itself. It was steep walking at times, but not for too long.

The views from the top are great. As you ascend, you get an increasingly impressive view of The Lawley, behind you with The Wrekin beyond, and a great view of the plateau of The Long Mynd over to you right. My dad had fun with Monty. Managed to get almost pulled over a couple of times, and finally accepted that the dog was stronger than he was!

We were expecting strong winds on the top, and it was a little breezy, but not too bad. We easily managed to find a sheltered spot for our lunch. A leisurely stroll down was then in order, heading first South, then curving around East then North around the bottom of the hill. The mid afternoon sun was warm on our backs as we headed back to the car for tea and cake.

My mum is going to arrange to climb another hill with me sometime, and wondered about doing Kinder Scout. I've climbed it once before, with Simon, and remember it being quite a hill. Should be good. Simon is still giving me list of hills he would like to climb, mostly in Scotland, and mostly very high...