Like several of my recent SOTA trips, I was without OS maps (because I didn't bring any), SATnav (because I don't own one) and Jimmy M0HGY (because he was at work). But neither my memory nor road atlas navigation were letting me down, and so it continued. Liam's road atlas navigation was also in good form while I was at the wheel, and he successfully negotiated several turnings from View Edge G/WB-018 until we parked by the church in Hopesay village.

It was Thursday 29th August 2013, and time to walk up Burrow G/WB-014, always a rather eerie and spooky hill I find. We set off through the narrow PROW between high hedges, before starting to climb through more open fields. Much of the route I did not recognise - especially when I missed it! I was on new ground when walking uphill around a field boundary to a wooden bench and adjacent fence crossing point. But this brought us onto the vaguely recollected track along the side of wood which flanks the iron age hillfort.

       

At the highest point of the track we turned right to enter the hillfort, following a trodden grass path between the earthworks. I clambered to the top of the one I deemed to be the highest point of the hill and set up my 12m aerial. A very light spot of rain came in. It wasn't really enough to even justify adding any kind of waterproof layer to my T-shirt, but Liam requested the bothy bag!

Just six contacts and four unique chasers were worked on this activation, 3 on CW, 2 on SSB and 1 on PSK31. But the activator point and 12m Challenge multiplier were secured, so I was content if not overwhelmed!  After the return walk to the car, I drove down the A49 into Ludlow to begin looking for accommodation for the night. This proved tricky, and somewhere on the outskirts would have probably been easier to find than anything in the town centre. But we got in at the historic Feathers Hotel and had plenty of space to lounge around, have a shower etc.

       

Curry was the target as we walked through Ludlow town centre, and we had a very good one at the Golden Moments restaurant. Liam indulged in his love of cheese with a paneer starter and a paneer main course! I went for lamb tikka followed by the three most enormous giant king prawns (sorry about using far too many adjectives than necessary) I have ever witnessed, sitting atop a delicious lentil and chick pea dhal. Plus Kingfisher and J2O of course.  A pint in a pub afterwards more than paid for itself when I managed to win £9 playing Word Soup on the quiz machine!

       

We returned to the hotel and lay in our beds watching Mock The Week on telly. Liam reported that I fell asleep halfway through it, but he watched the end followed by a further TV programme.  We would continue the expedition the next morning on High Vinnalls G/WB-012.