Month: January 2016

Chasewater

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

I’m walking-in some new boots, though I suspect they don’t really need it. A slightly-extended circuit of Chasewater is just the thing on this cold, bright and breezy afternoon. It’s an interesting and popular spot. There are swans, ducks, geese and coots by the dozen. There are deer (at least, there are the heads of deer). There are dog-walkers, families and cyclists: some are quiet, some have to talk very loudly, and some chat with invisible people using little hand-held gadgets. Two of the cyclists are pushing their machines, for no very clear reason (other than the obvious “push-bike”). Close to the car park, there’s a truly crazy golf course – but surely that can’t be the hole? Back at the car, the boots appear to be suitably muddied – and though they didn’t need walking-in, their owner enjoyed a walk out.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=403480&Y=307860&A=Y&Z=120

Attingham on a sunny afternoon

On By geoffspagesIn NT and EH, PhotographyLeave a comment

A sunny afternoon (especially after a wet night and morning) is too good to waste at this time of year! We’ll have a walk around Attingham Park – the footpaths shouldn’t be too bad there, and the longest route is a reasonable leg-stretch. We can say hello to the crocodile* in the far pool (he wasn’t there! Where’s he gone? Warmer climes perhaps)…

*see “Snowdropping”  Feb 2015

Attingham Park NT

Great Orme…

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Walks2 Comments

…and a great day out!

The journey to Llandudno was a chapter of accidents (not literally). Bitter cold and a hard frost at home (scrape scrape), almost forgot to put my boots on, thought I’d miss the train (road works and heavy traffic), but actually managed to catch the earlier (9.00am) train. Congratulated myself on that – the 9.06am was running ten minutes late, and I’d have missed the connection at Shrewsbury. Except that the Cardiff – Holyhead train was ten minutes late too. It stopped for several minutes just after leaving Wrexham, and the driver eventually admitted that he didn’t know what the problem was, but our train was now so late that it would be terminating at Chester. He helpfully gave us the times of connecting trains there – the first being the 11.00am Manchester – Holyhead. We eventually made it (35 minutes late now) to Chester with five minutes to spare. The 11.00am was a loco-hauled train – comfortable, spacious, quiet and smooth – wonderful. I began to think I should have chosen Holyhead as today’s destination.

On arrival at Llandudno Junction, my plans went further astray. There would be no train to Llandudno for three quarters of an hour. I eventually discovered the bus stop – the timetable said I’d just missed one (and the next wouldn’t be for ages) – and then it arrived, three minutes late. Hadn’t expected to arrive at my destination by bus, but I got there.

The purpose of the trip was a walk around the Great Orme, that huge block of limestone jutting into the Irish Sea to the north-west of the town. I started out on the road by the pier, but it would be in deep shade (and very cold!), so followed a path up to the sunlit plateau. It’s a popular spot, especially with the dog-walkers, but there’s plenty of space up here, with interesting coastal scenery, some attractive limestone outcrops and cliffs, and extensive views. It’s a perfect day for it too – bright sunshine and a clear blue sky. The time went by all too quickly, and I was soon back at the railway station, for a return journey that was, in complete contrast to the outward run, flawless.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=276605&Y=383225&A=Y&Z=120

January skies

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks1 Comment

We’re out on Brown Clee, enjoying some drier weather, though it’s very wet under (and at times, in) our boots. There was a spot of light drizzle too, early on (the 0.1mm threatened by the forecast) but we coped. Once on the ridge, all (extremely minor) discomfort was forgotten as we took in the drama of the skyscape and the misty distant border hills. What a great place to be on a day like this! It’s a shame to have to come down again, but the hours of daylight are short.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=359990&Y=286571&A=Y&Z=120