Another trip begins, once again in a city away from home.
After a very crowded train journey from London and a mile or so if walking from the station I find myself in the centre of Lichfield, in Staffordshire, twenty miles or so north east-ish from Birmingham.
It's a compact city, just 35,000 souls, with a pedestrianised centre and lots of Georgian red brick mixed with older styles.
Dominating it is the only mediaeval cathedral in the country to have three spires, built in local red sandstone (there are two others with three spires in Truro and Edinburgh, both Victorian).
It was impressive even before 19th century restoration of the main west façade, the hand of George Gilbert Scott having added numerous statues and decorations in the original material.
A service was in progress while I visited this afternoon, so only part of the interior could be explored and photography would have been inappropriate.
The city's other claim to fame is as the birthplace of Samuel Johnson, in 1709, celebrated in a small museum (closed by the time I reached it. It's Sunday).
The forecast thunderstorms have not spoiled the afternoon, no doubt they're waiting for me to start the walk for real tomorrow. The first day is planned as a gentle introduction, with little drama in the landscape, and is due to take me about 18 miles north, to Tutbury. The hotel there has just taken prepayment, which adds an incentive!
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