a "what's new" guide to the whole of Geoff's Pages, and a selection of bits and pieces that never made it to the site
It’s back! The bridge (at Ironbridge – yes, that one) has been wrapped up all year. The major refurbishment is almost complete, and apart from one small area just above the water-line, the wraps are off.
I’m taking a round-about route past Benthall Hall, walking down to the bridge from where, if I time it nicely, I’ll be getting a lift back…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366610&Y=302296&A=Y&Z=120
I’m keeping out of the way for half-an-hour, a little before 5pm when (for a few minutes) there’s just a little colour in the sky. There isn’t really enough light for hand-held photography, but if I stand very still and hold my breath…
We saw no 70000 “Britannia” on test in October. Today (a gloomy and intermittently wet one) she was in revenue-earning service – on the “Welsh Borders Explorer”, the circular route from Crewe, via Chester, Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton. We’re at Preston Boats, not far out of Shrewsbury, and she’s going well – we could hear the exhaust when the train was leaving Shrewsbury, more than a mile away and out of sight.
Last day of autumn (meteorologically, but not astronomically)… And speaking of matters meteorological, it’s a fine and intermittently sunny afternoon (we’ll dodge the showers) – a walk from Barrow to Wyke will be just the thing!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365265&Y=301021&A=Y&Z=120
A very short walk for some fresh air, after a spell of rain and strong winds. The sky was blue when we ate our lunch, but more clouds gathered as we walked – the few spots of light rain made straight for the camera lens. The splendid crop of toadstools on a fallen tree was a bonus (I’ve no idea what they were).
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366785&Y=296346&A=Y&Z=120
This afternoon’s bright sunshine might be the last chance we’ll get for a few days – we’ll have a leg stretch on Wenlock Edge. The sun is really low at this time of year, and by 3pm we’ve lost the best of the light, but it’s been very pleasant out here.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=361310&Y=300261&A=Y&Z=120
I know – there are still four weeks to go. But the Christmas lights are being switched on this evening – Saturday 24 November. We’d better get our coats on…
There’s a procession of unlikely vehicles (and even more unlikely drivers and passengers), then, after a (mercifully) few words, the lights are on, and with them, the fireworks.
Once that’s done, we’ll take one or two more photos, but we won’t hang around. There seems to be an unofficial “who’s got the biggest speakers” competition, and our ears are already hurting. But it was fun, and good to see such a big turnout at this very local event.
