E2: Hednesford to Lichfield

A rainy day walking through Cannock Chase and over very wet fields.

For breakfast I visited a Gregg's where I was disappointed that all the pastries were cold and prepacked, and then annoyed when shortly after I discovered a Wetherspoons nearby that might have served me breakfast in an attractive historic building. Continuing rain probably influenced my mood. My weather forecasting App was unusually confident in giving the probability of rain as 100% for much of the day.

Despite the weather I enjoyed my morning's walk through the remainder of Cannock Chase on tracks through the trees. There were a few expanses of water where streams had overflowed or water filled dips in the track. These required a bit of negotiation through surrounding undergrowth. 

Walking back to the Heart of England Way from Hednesford I passed an area where there was a hospital in the First World War and later a colliery. Only an apron of concrete remained among the birch trees. An older site I visited was an Iron Age hillfort called Castle Rings. I climbed up the circling embankment where the guidebook promised a view. All I could see today was a misty white.

Leaving the Chase there was a mixture of waterlogged fields and quiet roads, I prefered the latter. One field was particularly difficult as there was extensive standing water. My feet inevitably became wet. As I reached a road the water was particularly deep as it escaped from the field with speed. There were no cafes on route today. I passed a church, sadly locked, so I sat outside on a wet bench in the drizzle and ate a slice of fruit cake a neighbour had kindly given me.

I was pleased to reach the outskirts of Lichfield, crossing the green expanse of Beacon Park and finally reaching a cafe for a coffee and cake (croissant and blueberry)! Tonight I have a room at the Premier Inn with an ensuite bathroom where I have showered, washed my underwear and spread around my wet clothes to dry on any available hook and surface. I bought a newspaper especially so I could stuff it in my wet boots.

Chores done I went to Lichfield Cathedral for choral evensong. In part this was to share in worship that extended back to the 7th Century in this place, a connection with history. The present building dates back to the 13th century. Statues of saints looked down as the choir sang prayers and psalms in haunting voices. There were more choristers than people in the  congregation on this wet Friday night.

Tonight I ate at a busy Ukrainian restaurant, not a type of restaurant I have encountered in Britain before. I had varenyky (which are like pierogies) with potato, bacon and sour cream, plus a salad to get my "greens". Pancake with cottage cheese, raisins and sour cream (again) for dessert. All delicious!