The rally was based at Stourport-on-Severn and the aim was to walk the full length of the Worcestershire Way, a distance of some 45miles stretching from just above Bewdly in the north to the Malvern Hills in the south.
Our Campsite was Lickhill Manor Park, a large grassy site on the side of the Severn with more than adequate facilities and sufficient space for our 14 units, the very useful rally gazebo (marquee) and our temporary boules court. (We missed Mollie & David, who sadly broke down and were unable to attend the Rally.)
Stourport was in easy walking distance of the site and well provisioned with shops and services. It is a canal town that has grown up around the junction of the river Severn and the Staffs & Worcs canal with an interesting complex of locks controlling access to the canal, river and barge basins.

We walked the Worcs Way, in six 7½ mile sections, travelling from north to south and thanks to good planning the sections mostly finished close to a welcoming pub or café – except in the case of one notably unhelpful landlord. We were well looked after, being shuttled to and from the walks by coach and on return to the campsite an already boiling urn gave instant access to tea or coffee.
The northerly part of the route has low hills and gentle valleys with many irregular fields, dense hedges and numerous small patches of woodland. An intimate countryside with limited horizons that makes for interesting walking with continuous changes of scenery.
As you go south the Way follows the river Severn down to Bewdly after which the route returns to the undulating countryside but the scenery becomes more open, the fields more ordered.  Although we had of course met stiles before, this southern section seemed to have a breed of particularly badly positioned and awkward ones.
The next two sections were both ridge walks but the ridges were often wooded so the occasional views across the countryside were appreciated. There were several climbs. Climbs steep enough to make the talkers quieten and concentrate on breathing. We also had descents.  One led down to the banks of the River Teme, a tributary of the river Severn. Here, we came upon a bikini clad young lady enjoying the sun. This “caused” an immediate “apple break”. Three males (who shall be nameless) occupied a strategically positioned bench and enjoyed the view - Very reminiscent of the Last of the Summer Wine.
The last section of the Worcs Way walk was the approach to, and ascent of the Malvern Hills. We approached through rich farmland with many well-tended orchards. At first the ascent was gentle but it gradually got steeper as we climbed to West Malvern. Above West Malvern we initially followed the Lady Howard carriage drive around the hills and the views across Malvern and the countryside were glorious and the route relatively level.  We passed St Ann’s well the official end of the Worcs Way and climbed towards the Worcestershire beacon, at 1395 ft the highest point of the Malverns.  As we climbed the wind increased and felt gale force when we finally gained the Beacon. After the obligatory photograph we continued to Wych cutting, the end of the days walk. After refreshment at a local pub our coach arrived to return us to Lickhill.
That completed our walk along the length of the Worcestershire way.

To add interest to each walk we were given conundrums, the solutions being visible at sometime during that walk. The answers were keenly sought and the prizes, small packets of miniature smarties, are fast becoming a tradition on some walking rallies.

During the rally we enjoyed happy hours, a trivia quiz, fish and chips and of course a Boules tournament. The long tense final game of the tournament was won by David Bentley and Ted Elgar who beat Laura & Walter Huston by the narrowest of margins, the score being 21 to 20.

On the final day, guess what!  During the morning we went on an additional walk in the Sawley area so making the total distance covered some 50 miles.

The final dinner was held in the evening and was a great success. The food was good and the constant buzz of conversation with the occasional burst of laughter was witness to the happy atmosphere. The customary speeches were enjoyed. Dick McDonald gave an amusing summary of the Rally and was followed by Rita Bentley who expressed our gratitude to the Rally Officers. Finally, Joan Kelham spoke on behalf of the Council of Management.
We all enjoyed our rally, so thank you to Di & Dick McDonald and Jo & Sandy Sanderson for the happy hours, the competitions, the company, the barbeques, the coaches, the meals, but above all for the walks.