A tale of two railways

On 19 May 2020 By geoffspagesIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

19 May 2012: the beginning of a most-enjoyable week in France, staying near St Valery sur Somme. “There seems to be an interesting steam railway nearby – we’d better go and have a look”. See “A week in France” for more on this trip
19 May 2013: A very brief visit to the Abbey station in Shrewsbury. It was the terminus of the grand-sounding but ill-fated Potteries, Shrewsbury and North Wales Railway – which never got close to the Potteries than Shrewsbury, and only made it into Wales by the skin of its teeth. Given that it has been out of use as a passenger station since the 1930s, the station is a most remarkable survivor.

Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme
Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust

St Valery Ville: no. 15 departs for Cayeux-sur-Mer

Summer?

On 19 May 202019 May 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

Down by the riverside… It certainly felt like summer – the plentiful shady stretches were very welcome on this pleasant wander down to the river Severn, a couple of miles north of Bridgnorth. Out of the valley, along the quiet road and past the landscaped fishing pools, the light breeze was just what we needed.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=370940&Y=297505&A=Y&Z=120

Signalman’s view

On 18 May 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...Leave a comment

18 May 2013: I’d forgotten about this little outing – an invite into Bewdley South signalbox, for a chat with the signalman. What a great place to be, watching the trains arriving and departing.

The yellow fields of Wyke

On 18 May 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

A pleasant amble from Barrow to Wyke and back, through leafy lanes, along quiet roads and past dazzling yellow fields. The sky is grey, but it feels as though the sun is shining when the oilseed rape is in flower. And there’s no-one else here – what more could one ask?

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365225&Y=301215&A=Y&Z=120

Nothing in common

On 17 May 2020 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

…except the date – 17 May:
2003: Evening light on the western slopes of Brown Clee
2011: Squatter’s cockerel, Blists Hill
2014: Forest near The Bog
2017: Rainy day – visit to the Docklands Light Railway
2018: On the Edge, near Much Wenlock

Cut off in its prime (approx. 40 years old)

DLR: train leaves Canary Wharf, heading for Heron Quays

More from Red Lane

On 17 May 2020 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

It’s rather cloudy when we set off – perhaps I can concentrate on the colour and interest in the hedgerows. Having settled that (decisions, decisions!) the weather improves. Not complaining…

Riotous colour

On 16 May 2020 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

16 May 2010: we’re visiting the Dingle, a garden centre near Welshpool. It’s notable for its astonishing hillside garden constructed around a pool, well tucked away in the Welsh countryside. The colour is amazing!
It’s also very colourful near home – that evening, we’re out amongst the bright yellow fields of oilseed rape. It’s hardly a traditional English landscape, but it’s certainly spectacular. There’s a deer out enjoying the evening air, posing for a moment or two before bounding away out of sight.

Dingle nurseries and garden

"hillside garden constructed around a pool"

The lane again – more sycamore…

On 16 May 2020 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

Just a short leg-stretch. The camera has to come too, of course.

In the hedgerow

On 15 May 2020 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

We’re walking down the lane again, taking a closer look at the plant life. As we near home, a red kite is circling over the houses. Inevitably, he’s out of camera range within moments – a grab shot will have to suffice.