Stage 10 actually starts at Haughmond but combining the entire length with Stage 9 was just too far, so that section will be for another time and the report will no doubt appear below in due course.

It was a very cold December morning that saw me leave the warmth of the car and watch it disappear down the road. I had double layers plus my hat and wasn't warm but figured a brisk march would do the trick, it didn't and I soon stopped to add gloves. The hamlet of Rodington was soon reached across an icy field but then it was a lane down to Isombridge which, whilst quiet, meant Rosie had to stay on the lead. I did wonder whether she might get cold walking at my pace rather than her frantic speed but she seemed fine about it. From there, the path follows a stream for a little while then breaks out into fields behind the sewage works and across to Admaston on nice country paths.

A couple of roads to negotiate and we were into the Dothill country park which was very pleasant and avoided the main roads until finally emerging in the centre of Wellington. The country park featured many paths, a few lakes where the wildlife birds we walking rather than paddling across the lake, much to my amusement. With Rose, Wellington was a challenge but eventually we made it and completed this short section of the route. For me, it continues on Stage 9 as it made more logical sense to walk this in reverse.