…for much of the day. The last few drops fell around teatime, and though it’s not going to be a sunny evening, it should stay dry. It’s gradually brightening from the west, but the light’s not going to improve noticeably before the morning…
Month: August 2020
The Avenue and the Edge
Tuesday 18 August: taking advantage of some evening sunshine after a drop of rain. “The Avenue” is the lane linking Benthall Hall to the main road; beyond, a rough track takes us to Benthall Edge. That’s far enough for today – there may still be the odd shower…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365755&Y=302472&A=Y&Z=115
Storm clouds
There was some heavy rain earlier in the day; this evening it’s dry, there’s some sunshine – and some huge clouds gathering. Happily they’re not above us. We’re taking in the views in all directions from the high ground at Shirlett. To the north and east, the skies are dramatic; towards the lowering sun, there’s a much calmer feel to the evening.
Heath Chapel and Clee St. Margaret
We’re on the western slopes of Brown Clee, starting out below the hill fort and walking down the lane as far as Heath Chapel, a remarkable (grade 1 listed) little building dating from Norman times. Leaving the chapel, we head for Peckledy (a farm), from where a tree-lined track aims towards Clee St. Margaret. Beside the lane there’s much buzzing – a wild bees’ nest, which appears to have been robbed recently (the evidence is on the ground a few feet away).
Clee St. Margaret is distinguished by its unusual ford, where the brook runs along the road – and around the bend – before continuing its journey down to Corvedale. Our journey continues gently uphill, across the grassland below Nordy Bank and back to the car.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=356225&Y=284720&A=Y&Z=120
Red kite and small blue
A walk along the very quiet road through Shirlett, down Ned’s Lane, through the Smithies and back up to Shirlett via Round Hill. There’s plenty to see as the season moves along – today’s highlight being the pair of red kites which circled above us briefly (a photographic failure!), followed by the small blue posing just a little further on. Meanwhile, the harvest continues.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366240&Y=297950&A=Y&Z=120
Fruit, berries, butterflies
Despite the recent very warm weather (it’s much more temperate today, thanks), autumn seems to be approaching rapidly. The landscape is late-summer drab, but there are seasonal colours in the leaves, fruits and berries. No shortage of butterflies either, though they’re mostly white varieties on this occasion. Lots of interest in this local leg-stretch!
The Wyke walk
This time yesterday it was almost 30°; today it’s barely over 20°. What a difference! The air feels cool, it’s still and humid – clammy in the shadier places – and we’d better not hang around, it’s going to rain later. The blackberries slowed us down significantly (we have to assess their quality for jam-making purposes), nevertheless, we were practically back to the start when the rain came on. One of these days, we’re going to get caught out – but not today!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365265&Y=301021&A=Y&Z=120
Will we get wet?
An evening stroll, taking it very gently – it’s very warm. There are thundery showers about, and that ominous-looking mass to the south seems to be heading our way – the highest clouds are spreading rapidly overhead. We’ll head back…
It didn’t rain, of course. Later, perhaps.
An evening leg-stretch
Thunder, lightning and rain this afternoon – but by early evening, the skies have cleared. The forecast says there’s a risk of more before long, but we’ll chance it… It’s just a short one, for a change of scene and some fresh air.
Plaish
It’s a hamlet in the quiet country between the Wenlock Edge and the Stretton hills. It’s notable for its 16th century hall, apparently one of the earliest brick-built houses in the county. The views would be wonderful from its elevated position – but not today – it’s murky, and only just starting to feel warm as we return to the car. A very pleasant leg-stretch nevertheless.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=353520&Y=295320&A=Y&Z=120
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