Author: geoffspages

The wood’s in trouble

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

On Wenlock Edge, it might be, but we’re on Benthall Edge, last gasp of the aforementioned, where it reaches and overlooks the Severn. The wind’s not very strong – not going to do any damage, just providing a steady whoosh overhead. Last week’s blow may have brought some branches down – National Trust staff have got a bonfire going, and the wind is really encouraging the flames. Happily, it’s downwind of the path.

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Spring shall surely come again

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

To Willey – out via Darley (rhymes with rarely) and the Honeypot; back down the sunken lane behind Deancorner. Just short of five miles, and no-one else about (apart from a lost taxi driver). In the sky over the fields near Darley, swanee whistles are playing:

On the moor I saw a plover
And a curlew call her lover
“Pee-wit!” “Pee-wit!”
Spring shall surely come again

No curlews, but four or five lapwings wheeling and fluting. Wonderful – not a sound we hear often now. Made our day! (listen here Lapwing Bird Facts | RSPB)

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Dean Farm Lane

On By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

We were on gardening duties earlier in the day – partly because of the likelihood of a sharp shower or two. By mid-afternoon, things are looking more encouraging: we’ll have a quick stroll as far as the end of the lane to Dean Farm. The sunshine is bright, the breeze is stiff (and cold). It’s a real ‘blow away the cobwebs’ outing!

March winds

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Yesterday was wet and windy; today it’s bright and breezy. We’ll need to time it carefully to avoid the showers though. It’s a familiar route, past Round Hill and Willey Lower Pool, down Bould Lane and back through Linley Brook, but the weather makes each outing different. When the sun shines, there are photoflood moments – got to be quick though, they’re gone in seconds.

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A Coalport circular

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Down the lane past Swinney Farm, then the old railway track to Coalport Bridge. Cross the river and make our way to the china works and the youth hostel, where maybe before too long we’ll once again enjoy tea and cake. Back over the memorial footbridge and up the dingle (which isn’t too muddy…) – a most enjoyable outing!

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The green man

On By geoffspagesIn NT and EH, Photography, Shropshire hills1 Comment

Wandering from Willey once more – this time, back up Scots Lane and down to St Leonard’s church at Linley. An interesting little building, tucked away from reality down a rough-surfaced leafy lane, its main claim to fame seems to be the green man over a blocked north doorway. It is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/church-listing/st-leonard-linley.html

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Some sunshine would be good!

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

That’s what I said yesterday, and today’s forecast was “overcast”. It was wrong. The bright sunshine made it feel warmer too. We’re enjoying a short walk around the very quiet lanes from Willey. Where’s everyone else on this lovely afternoon? We usually see at least one other person out walking, sometimes as many as three or four on a Sunday afternoon…

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