Similar to last week, this was a hike from the South of Worcester, heading North.  I was to the West of the M5 this week though.

Again, it was a case of taking a bearing across some fields and trudging across the freshly-ploughed mud.  The most frustrating thing with this sort of necessity is when you arrive at precisely the correct point, only to find out that it is so disused and overgrown that it is completely un-navigable.  The style I came upon would not have taken my weight (especially with the additional 10kg on my back) - and that was presuming I wanted to try and battle my way through the thick brambles!

On the plus side, I did have the pleasure of seeing a deer jump out of a hedge in front of me at one point.  It scampered and hopped across the field as I watched it, jealous that its hooves did not seem to get as clogged with mud as my boots do!

The amazing thing about living in Worcestershire is that within just a 20 minute drive you can be out in the countryside, away from cars, fumes and noise pollution.

Entering the forest near Defford I glanced around to see a ghostly apparition in the trees - someone had staked out some plastic in the shape of a person.  Catching sight of this at dusk would probably have set the heart racing.

For this walk I'd dropped my backpack down to 10kg.  The previous weight had served its purpose in reminding me that I really do not want to go carrying such a load over hills in Nepal.  From this point onwards, 10kg and plenty of miles is what I've planned.

Navigation was a lot easier this week, as the paths were generally much more regularly trodden.  It's always hard to tell when planning a route on the map.  What looks like a popular bridleway on paper sometimes turns out to be nothing more than an historic route, with no markings on the ground. Sometimes the farmers take no notice of such pathways, and the choice is to either cut across their crops or circumnavigate a large field.

Luckily on this route the farmer had considerately left an extra-wide path through the middle of his cornfield.  It is possible (and I've had to do it) to squeeze through the standard between rows of corn, but I'd rather not have to.

There was some impressive sights on this walk, including views across to the Malverns, and of Croome court.  A nice, easy 15km walk.

I vividly remember a lesson I learned during one exercise in the army:  We were dropped off in a remote location, shown where we were on the map, and told where we had to get to.  Except that we'd deliberately been shown the wrong starting point.  It took us quite a while to work it out, and it meant that our trek was all that much longer because of it.

Unfortunately,we don't always remember these lessons when we are keen and eager.  On this particular trip I actually dropped MYSELF off at a different location to the one I had planned.  It didn't take me as long to work it out this time though, and I kicked myself more for my initial mistake.  Luckily, it was an error which was quickly accounted for.

I retained the 15kg backpack weight I'd been carrying on previous trips and the trek took me through green fields, woods and pathways.  I passed a pub with a very neglected playground, and I discovered that many of the public footpaths in Worcestershire cut directly through the middle of farmer's fields.  At this time of year, many of them have recently been harvested or ploughed.  The harvested ones leave short, sharp stalks of straw sticking up - you would not want to stumble and put your hand out onto these.  The ploughed ones are even harder to cross if it's been raining, as the mud sticks to your boots, making you taller and heavier.  When you cut across these fields, it's generally necessary to take a bearing to where you're trying to get to, as there are no paths to lead the way.

The highlight of this trip for me was the necessity to cross a railway track via a pedestrian crossing.  I can't recall ever having had to do this before.  It's strange to stand (albeit very briefly) in between the tracks, looking down the line.

After a 15km trek, Esta met me again the The Retreat in Norton, as we had to head over to catch the Warriors match against Wasps.  (Warriors lost, but it was a good match).

Sunday 3rd September actually felt like the first day of autumn.  There was a steady drizzle in the air as Esta dropped me off in the village of Naunton Beauchamp, east of Worcester.

I had 15kg in my backpack, along with water and some sugary snacks, and I made my way along the footpaths towards home.  For some reason, most of the tracks appeared to be uphill, and the weight on my back was very noticeable.  I'm no longer in my 20s, and army days of tabbing with far heavier packs are almost 30 years distant.  Besides, this is supposed to be fun, not grueling.  I'm on a steady build-up to put miles in my legs ready for Nepal in 2018.

Luckily, the day brightened as I walked, and aside from crossing one field as the farmer was thrashing the grass with a tractor I don't think I saw another person until I arrived at The Retreat in Norton.

It amazes me how many public footpaths actually cut right through church grounds and cemeteries.  These churches are typically lovely buildings, nestles in small villages, and the trees seem to pre-date everything they tower over.

With quite an extensive rail network in the county, many of my walks involve crossing a line at some point, or at least paralleling one.  Stopping for a drink and to watch a train rumble past is a good excuse for a rest.  The worst part is putting a sweat-soaked backpack back onto my aching shoulders.

If nothing else, it all makes me realise that I do need to keep my packing list as small and light as possible for Nepal.