The sunshine is warm, but the air’s cold today. Fortunately, the outdoor tea area at Benthall Hall is sheltered from the breeze, so we’ll enjoy our al fresco refreshments without a shiver. The bluebell season is just beginning, the chestnut leaves are emerging (they remind me of pale green cormorants drying their wings) and the oilseed rape is brightening the fields – sunshine even when the sun’s gone in…
We’ve been on a brief (and fairly limited) exploration of railways in Cheshire, focusing on the town of Northwich, whose railway station still looks like a railway station, complete with canopies (on ornate iron columns) and a Joyce (of Whitchurch) clock, which has stopped. Almost exactly 40 years ago – April 1979 – I was on a railtour which also stopped (briefly) at Northwich station. Standing beside the old loco shed was a line of tank wagons, which I guessed were used for storing fuel for diesel locomotives. Look at the middle two – how old are those frames? What were they originally used for? There’s an estate of modern houses where the loco shed stood. I wonder what happened to the wagons?
More photos on Geoff’s Rail Diaries: “More Cheshire Lines”
It’s in Wellington, Shropshire – a “rare suburban villa and mini-estate” according to the National Trust. We’re exploring this property on what began as a grey afternoon, though as we left the house, the cloud was clearing. An interesting place – a former owner seems to have been obsessed with clocks… The trees in the avenue are Wellingtonia – they’d have to be, wouldn’t they?
I’m trying out some new kit – an hour in Ironbridge might be worthwhile. Wow – it’s busy! Oops! – after the first few photos, I’ve accidentally set a “creative” effect which has over-cooked the colours. I’ve tried to tone them down a bit, but really they’d benefit from a bit more tinkering. It’s hardly worth the effort – I could take them again (on a quieter day…) if I wanted.
Monday 1 April: another old favourite – walking from Aston Munslow, up onto the crest of the Wenlock Edge, and back via Munslow and the path across the fields. There’s no-one else about today – it’s very quiet up here. More signs of spring’s advance – the first bluebells are starting to appear, amongst the primroses, violets and celandines.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=351170&Y=287796&A=Y&Z=120
It’s a landmark for miles around, marking the highest point of the Wenlock Edge. At the top of Flounders’ Folly. we’re 80 feet higher! Benjamin Flounders, a Yorkshireman, had it built in 1838. After falling into disrepair, the tower was renovated by a local trust in the early years of the millennium, with a new metal staircase. It is open to all who wish to take in the magnificent view from the top (and who are prepared to make the 500 ft ascent from the parking area) once a month – usually the last Sunday, also on certain high days (appropriately) and holidays. Today being the last Sunday in March, we’ll pay it a visit…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=345895&Y=285041&A=Y&Z=120
After an excellent lunch at Jules in Weobley (http://www.jules-restaurant.co.uk/) we needed a gentle wander for an hour or two to let it settle. “It’s not far to Berrington Hall”
…to Pole Bank. Thursday 28 March – the sky is cloudless, we need an outing to enjoy this weather. Haven’t been to the Long Mynd for a little while, so we’ll go for the old favourite – up the Ashes Hollow, to its stream’s source in the Boiling Well (which is neither), on to the highest point of the Mynd at Pole Bank, then back along the ridge which eventually brings us back to Little Stretton by Small Batch (which is aptly named, a batch being a valley). Despite the weather, we have the hills almost to ourselves – I think we saw more wild ponies than people.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=342610&Y=293211&A=Y&Z=120
Monday 25 March: I arrived just as the school parties were leaving… It’s a bright sunny afternoon – perfect for a wander with the camera
It’s a beautiful spring day, perfect for a picnic lunch on Climbing Jack Common… We’re walking from the Black Pool car park near Ludlow, up to the top of High Vinnals. The air is cold but clear – those are the Brecon Beacons, more than 40 miles distant on the southern horizon. Heading downhill now, we cross the top of Hanway Common and look down on the Goggin (who wouldn’t?) before descending to what’s left of Richard’s Castle. It’s defended, or tended, by a pair of goats, currently basking atop the highest remaining wall. The church nearby has a separate bell tower, The village of the same name is perhaps 3/4 of a mile way. A curious settlement – mostly in Herefordshire, its village hall is in Shropshire.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=348480&Y=271266&A=Y&Z=120
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