A circular walk from home on a bright and sunny afternoon, perfect for an interesting outing with plenty of variety. The sky is a subject in its own right today. At the Haycop a very cheeky robin is eager to pose for me. Later, the light is fading and becoming golden as we pass Benthall Hall and its picturesque little church. In a swampy pool nearby a crocodile lurks, waiting for its next meal. (I blame global warming)
Shirlett Lane again. A noted landscape photographer* said (in so many words) that what we’re really doing is photographing the weather. Certainly our surroundings look different compared with the last visit, and it’s all down to the sunlight, the air, the clouds and the wind. A puff or two of white steam or smoke, many miles away on the Welsh border, catches the eye. It’s the chipboard factory at Chirk!
* http://www.irenefroy.co.uk/
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365660&Y=298545&A=Y&Z=120
A walk down the lane, visiting the site of the old mines and the sheep at the top of the bank. No sunshine today, and a certain amount of gloom – though there’s a touch of blue in the sky as we near home.
We could do this as a circular walk, but one leg (and therefore both feet) would be very muddy. So we’re doing it as an ‘out-and-back’, but varying the first part – out by the Fiery Fields, and back past the little toll house. It’s cold again, but there’s no wind, and the sunshine is bright.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367555&Y=300185&A=Y&Z=120
Twenty-four hours later, I was proved wrong (see yesterday’s post Walking from home). There’s been a hard frost overnight – and mist. Everything is white and sparkly – and the mud is rock-hard. “Shall we try the path to Red Lane again?” No problem – we’re through! Red Lane is, of course, white today.
“Let’s see if we can get through to Red Lane”. It’s a few weeks since we last walked that way, and there’s been a drop of rain… If we’d been wearing wellies, it might have been possible. Perhaps in the spring – if we have another dry one.
For the next few weeks, we’re going to be walking in very familiar territory, within a mile or two of home… “Shirlett should be quiet.” It was, of course. There are one or two others out and about, but there’s plenty of space and fresh air up here. Let’s hope the weather stays dry!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365660&Y=298545&A=Y&Z=120
Monday: returning from Shrewsbury, we’ll pass the Cound road end. It’s cold, but it’s dry – we’ll stretch our legs around the quiet lanes. Someone’s lit a bonfire, but apart from those bright flames, there’s very little light this afternoon. No winter sunset skies today.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=356010&Y=304045&A=Y&Z=120
First outing of the new year (blame the weather!). It continues to be cold, but at least it’s dry today. Last week’s snow still lies on the (slightly) higher ground around Church Preen, which adds a little something to the photos. The light certainly isn’t going to help today, though for a few moments the sun tries to break through. By 3pm the light’s gone, and soon after, we’re heading for home.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=355085&Y=298270&A=Y&Z=120
A local walk and few photos to mark 2020’s last gasp – next time the sun clears the horizon it will be 2021. If it’s past midnight when you read this: Happy New Year! (“Let’s hope it’s a good one”)
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