A substantial group gathered in fog and sub-zero temperatures for a 7.5 mile walk from Dorridge Village Hall. Many layers of thermals and insulation were in evidence.

This was not a walk for distant views, at times we could barely see everyone on the walk. However, this meant it was an opportunity to look closer at hand, and the lowest temperature we have seen locally for several years meant some fantastic displays of frost, and the mud of recent weeks was solid underfoot. Fortunately, the paths we took were rarely slippery, so walking was easy.

Jill led us though Dorridge Cricket club and along Four Ashes Road and we soon arrived in Hockley Heath, The front gardens of the houses gave some fine displays of frost covered plants.

There was still some flooding which gave rare views of frozen flood water.

We walked to School Lane and soon arrived at the canal, frozen solid.

We then headed to Lapworth across frozen fields. The bare trees looked spectacular through the haze against the frozen white ground.

We stopped for a hasty bite in St Mary’s Church (which we had recently visited in warmer weather). The weathercock glinted impressively with its covering of frost (or possibly peeling paint on closer inspection!). By this point we were all congratulating ourselves on our wise clothing choices as everyone was quite warm and comfy.

We then returned via Packwood, though Packwood House was nowhere to be seen even though we walked through the grounds.

We all returned safely to Dorridge, congratulated Jill on her excellent route planning and ourselves for wrapping up warm and having a great walk.

Here is the route, with a link to OS Maps.