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Continuing the walks theme, I am taking the 248 Bus route, as on previous walks.

On its return to Stourbridge alight at the bus stop as the bus leaves the Merry Hill site. Walk to the traffic lights, cross Pedmore Road, turn left past the houses to gain access to Saltwells.

This walk to me is the jewel of all the walks made; it is so varied through the seasons particularly Doulton Clay Pit.

You will find a number of marked trails to guide you:

The Sculpture Trail follows the path to the heart of Saltwell Wood with the most interesting hand crafted wood sculptures.

Perhaps the best time is in the Spring with the fantastic display of bluebells, the best in the Dudley area.

Doulton trail

The Doulton Trail takes you through the woodland to Doulton Clay Pit; this is now a site of Special Scientific Interest.

The pit was quarried until the 1940鈥檚, the clay being moved by tubs from the pit to the canal sidings at Brewins Cutting and then by canal to the Potteries to be used mainly in the production of sanitary ware.

The Clay Pit was a vast area of quarrying which left behind a truly wonderful area for flora and fauna. It is very tranquil and you will rarely meet anyone, considering that it is less than 陆 a mile to Merry Hill with its crowds of people.

Murray Grey Trail

The Murray Grey Trail, the longest, takes in Lodge Farm Reservoir and then onto Netherton Hill (again can be muddy in Winter). The summit affords extensive views of the local area including Clent, the Malvern Hills and the Black Mountains in Wales.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council has published a new leaflet:
"Saltwells. Local nature Reserve" showing the trail routes. Most Borough libraries have these available and there is also information on the Dudley web site.

For the photographers, all the pictures except Nos. 13, 14 & 17, were taken with a compact 28.500 mm Digital Compact, a truly wonderful lightweight camera to use, perhaps more so with many of you making longer walks such as in the mountains.