#marchington

#365daysofbiking In denial:

Saturday, October 17th 2020 - A great ride really that didn’t turn out as planned. I was heading for the Churnet Valley again, and rather than take the boring road up over Willslock and through Uttoxeter to Denstone, I decided to wind may way through villages to the west of there. 

I was beset by mechanical problems in the first 20 miles. And it rained that horrid, fine rain that slowly but surely dissolves your determination, by getting into your clothes and just by being no fun at all. But against my better judgment, I pressed on.

And as I neared Alton, the sun started shining weakly, and the rain abated. I found beautiful views and a lovely ford near Hollington, and in the dying hours of daylight the Churnet Valley was as gorgeous as I’d hoped. 

I had planned to do a loop up Ousal Dale and Dimmings Dale but it was such tough going up Ousal Dale that I decided to leave the valley via Oldfurnace and Greendale, which were gorgeous in their sunset, with the smoke-wreathed cottaged particularly enchanting. 

I headed home to complete the 70 miler though a gorgeous sunset at Crakemarshand up Buttermilk Hill in the dark, Marchington Woodlands and Hoar Cross, accompanied by a soundtrack of owls.

The windmill at Longdon and Black Swan at Smeltingmill were lovely treats, too.

A ride that started badly but finished rather well.

June 2nd - A visit to Draycott is always a good opportunity to do Marchington, Woodroffes and the Needwood Valley through Newborough and Hoar Cross. This time I returned through Rowley Park, the Ridwares and Armitage, which made a change.

At Marchington, the frankly ugly 1740 church is still a remarkable piece of architecture, complete with the curious, over-door war memorial. The church at Woodroffes is also still beautiful, sat in splendid isolation under Marchington Cliff.

The ride ended with a spectacular sunset enjoyed on the old Hit Bridge at Armitage.

April 2nd - A better ride on the first warm, shirtsleeve day of the year, with thankfully little wind. I rode out into Staffordshire, up through Chorley and Hanch to Blithbury, then a call at Cobwebs for tea and cake. From there, through Abbots Bromley past Bogot Wood, then over along Marchington Cliff to the church of St. John in Marchington Woodlans, at Woodroffes. This church is beautiful, and absolutely in the middle of nowhere.

A run through Marchington, Coton in the Clay, Hanbury, Needwood, Dunstall and Barton then back on NCN 54 to Lichfield and home was a lovely ride in excess of 60 miles.

I had a good average at near 13mph and felt fluid and full of energy - remarkable considering my recent issues.

Spring is here, so is the sun and I’m totally ready for this.

Okay SO Eliza and I and a few others came up with these name for months to focus on the Hamilcast! We will be following these months and are so happy and looking forward to them!!

Jan- Anthuary: Anthony Ramos

Feb- Thayneuary: Thayne Jasperson

Mar- Marchington: Christopher Jackson

Apr- Aprilin: Lin Manuel Miranda

May- Remay: Renée Elise Goldsberry

Jun- Junathan: Johnathan Groff

Jul- Juliza: Phillipa Soo

Aug- Aucast: New Cast, Ensemble, Understudies and Standbys

Sep- Peggtember: Jasmine Cephas Jones

Oct- Oaktober: Okieriete Onaodowan

Nov- Noveed: Daveed Diggs

June 7th - I also called at the Church of St John, MArchington Woodlands, at a place called Woodroffes. It’s a gorgeous church clinging to a hillside in the middle of nowhere. It overlooks the Dove Valley and is the most beautiful, peaceful spot. 

The meadows were dappled yellow with buttercups, the church was bright in the sunlight, and a distant cricket pitch dozed in the warm afternoon.