Author: geoffspages

Church Preen

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

A walk around a triangle of quiet lanes, up to Church Preen and back. We’ll take a look at the 13th century church (St John the Baptist) – and its remarkable yew tree. It claims to be more than 1,500 years old (it looks it!), and the oldest tree in Europe (perhaps not…). There are butterflies in the buddleia, just over the churchyard wall, and some quite astonishing fungus near the lychgate.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=354900&Y=298525&A=Y&Z=120

Chestnut Coppice via the SVR

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

A fairly short stroll today, and once again we’re dodging the showers. From the parking spot near Chestnut Coppice we’re walking down the road until we can cut across to the old Severn Valley railway trackbed. The former railway brings us to the foot of Chestnut Coppice, for a very pleasant and gentle ascent through the woods and back to the car.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=371955&Y=296510&A=Y&Z=120

 

Breezy

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Perfect weather for a walk; less-than perfect for photography. Everything is moving about in the wind, and the curly cirrus clouds foretell more high winds tomorrow. At last (we’ve been watching them closely) there are wild hop flowers in the hedge. Rub them between the fingers and sniff – mmmm! Back home, we’re slightly more sheltered – there are butterflies posing in the buddleia.

It rained…

On By geoffspagesIn Photography1 Comment

…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…

Storm clouds

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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

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks2 Comments

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

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

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