This year was the second time I’d spent a few days in the Malvern Hills (almost literally: the quirky little flat I stayed in was in part built into the hillside, thus the kitchen was, essentially, underground) and as last year, it was entirely splendid. Great Malvern is a lovely little town, if ferociously steep in parts but generously supplied with bookshops and, of course, there’s the hills themselves, rising dramatically from the southern Worcestershire plains in three sharply defined ridges. I “did” the northernmost section – the closest to my home for a few days, and the highest part – last year, thus this year the plan was to walk the central part, as seen above… and dammit, I did. A pleasant bus journey and an equally agreeable hours walk saw me at the only really steep section, but once actually on the ridge, well, granted it was something of a switchback, but the astonishing views on either hand were more than worth the effort. An added bonus was the first day of the Malvern Autumn Fair on the Friday, a splendid no-nonsense country fair with everything from giant vegetables to cookery demonstrations and just about everything inbetween… and of course, with the hills as a backdrop. What’s not to love ?
Returning, I felt immediately at home and it must be said that having no memories other than those from last year helped. That’s one of the joys of going back: you get to know the place, feel less of a tourist – in fact, I was twice asked for directions, so apparently I looked local enough. Back next year to complete the set with the southern section ? I think so. It makes sense, doesn’t it ?
