New Places – Seager Hill

Time to head back out on my quest for new and less walked hills courtesy of my new found interest in the list of Marilyns.

This time my poring over maps found Seager Hill in what looked like a fairly nondescript corner of Herefordshire. There were paths marked but no rights of way so I was keen to avoid any “get off my land” encounters. In the end I saw no-one at all.

It had been dank and dreary weekend and even the slight lifting in the gloom engendered low hopes for anything other than an excuse for a bit of fresh air and exercise. A short steep climb from the road had me on top of the ridge which was open with surprisingly good views across the Herefordshire countryside towards the Malverns.

The area is clearly very much dedicated to the shooting fraternity judging by the viewing seat above and the hundreds of pheasants I startled on my walk.

As I walked past the Trig pillar and on past the highest point, ticking my list as I went, the skies began to clear a little and there were some broad shots of sunlight. I hadn’t expected to see any sun so was lifted by this positive turn in weather.

I dropped down into the forest to try and make something of a circuit but it was boggy and wet with deeply rutted tracks that were hard to walk on.

On my way back up the sunshine was catching this autumnal bush perfectly making it look like fire.

When I was back on the ridge there was a large patch of blue and a pretty decent setting sun.

A view back along the ridge.

I was amazed at my luck again. From a walk designed merely to take a stroll for some fresh air in new surroundings I had a pretty superb finish to the day.

The walk along the ridge was a pleasure, having it all to myself made it even better.

Every gap in the trees gave a new view of the setting sun and pink clouds.

The walk back down through the forest was muddy and a bit of a pain but worth it to make a decent circular walk to fill a couple of hours.

Just short of 4 miles over an hour or so that rescued a dreary weekend of domestic chores and playing with my new smart home kit. Life is full of delights, planned and otherwise.