I started off on my well used route past Lifford Lane Tip, then on to Icknield Street and I chose to get to Ullenhall via Mockley Manor (with a ferocious drop down where I once got caught in a pile up of bikes at the bottom when someone slipped in the mud). After the climb up to Mockley Manor care home I feel as if I should be admitted there myself!
Surprisingly soon I arrived in Ullenhall and back to Danzey Green and the pleasingly named Pig Trot Lane toward Hockley Heath.
I decided to go to Packwood via Nuthurst Lane and Wharf Lane to avoid the main roads. I cycled around Windmill Lane and Grove Lane which I mistakenly thought would take me through Packwood House grounds. Then I headed for Illshaw Heath and Braggs Farm Lane, where there is an ideal picnic stop with an old barn and steps to sit on. I know there will be a frenzy of barking when I’m spotted by the farm dogs but it soon dies down when they remember they’ve seen me before.
And so then back via Houndsfield Lane ford and finally Gay Hill for a nice big downhill before I got back to Walkers Heath and Lifford Lane – again!
Lifford Lane Northfield, Walkers Heath, Icknield Street, Forhill, Weatheroak Hill, Birch Acre, Portway, Aspley Heath, Mockley Manor, Ullenhall, PerryMill Lane, Danzey Green, Pig Trot Lane. Kemps Green, Hockley Heath where (on entering) I turned into Nuthurst Lane (Isn’t that the home of Rupert Bear?), Wharf Lane, towards Packwood House then Windmill Lane, Grove Lane and back to Hockley Heath, Illshaw Heath, Lady Lane, Cleobury Lane, Tidbury Green Houndsfield Lane and on back to Lifford Lane.
LEJoG 82 