Leg 1: Every journey starts with a first step


Leaving Stratford-upon-Avon the King, still acting the part of a servant, was brought to Long Marston where the party stayed the night at the Manor House, now King's Lodge - the home of Mr John Tomes, a near relative of Jane Lane.

For the first leg of our Monarchs Way walk, Rod & Di, Deborah & Alison, and Lily the dog were joined by Richard & Helen, who came up from London to meet us at the start, in Stratford on Avon. 

The weather was a little chilly, but sunny and spring-like. We met outside the RSC and set off along the Avon, past Holy Trinity Church where William Shakespeare got baptised, married, and was buried. 












The path continued along the Avon until the river was crossed by The Greenway. This former railway line is now a cycle and foot path, so navigation from here on was straightforward,  as the path goes through Long Marston, which was today’s destination. 



 
After a couple of miles we came upon the Milcote Picnic Area, where a cafe in a converted railway carriage served a welcome cuppa to accompany our lunch.

Suitably refreshed, we then walked for a couple more miles until we reached our first finish, in Long Marston. The Masons Arms had kindly allowed us to leave a car in their car park while we walked, and it seemed churlish not to have a refreshing drink in their beer garden. 





Suitably revived, while Di, Deborah & Lily finished their drinks, the others drove back to Stratford to collect the other cars. Richard & Helen set off for London, and Rod & Alison drove back to Long Marston to pick up the others, and head for home. A very successful start to our Long Distance Walk; back to The Masons Arms in a couple of weeks for Leg 2, which will finish at the lovely National Trust garden at Hidcote.

Blog written by Rod Holliman

We are walking in aid of Grassroots Suicide Prevention

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