Author: geoffspages

Blue Clee

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

The bluebells are out with a vengeance on the lower slopes. The sky’s blue (with puffy white clouds, and the distant hills are blue (remembered…). And there’s hardly anyone else out (were there a couple of matches going on today?). A cuckoo makes its presence felt, and just off the north end of the hill, there’s a pair of red kites wheeling and diving. It’s good up here – shame to have to come down again.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=360190&Y=285771&A=Y&Z=120

Battles in vain…

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hillsLeave a comment

There’s plenty of colour on the Wenlock Edge now, much of it from the far end of the spectrum – blue, indigo and violet*, in other words. There are plenty of bluebells, and violets here and there – and the early purple orchids are out. There are yellows and whites too, and of course there’s green everywhere. It must be spring!

*Richard of York gained battles in vain = the rainbow… Does everyone know that?

No fog on the Tyne

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...1 Comment

Not a trace! We had a clear blue sky from dawn to dusk, a perfect day for this lengthy day out on Monday 14 May. We travelled by rail to Newcastle Central, then took the Metro out to the coast, stopping at Whitley Bay and Tynemouth stations. A fine fish and chip lunch (al fresco) kept us going for the rest of the day – the trip back to Newcastle, a quick look at Earl Grey and his street, and the journey home.

Most of the rail-related photos are on Geoff’s Rail Diaries – visit “A Tyneside trip“.

Out for a duck

On By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

Ten ducks, to be precise. These giants are on display around Ironbridge until July, as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Telford, and provide colourful compensation for the current wrapped-up state of the famous bridge. They will also help to raise funds for local good causes. Sadly, we could only snap nine of the them – the tenth is away, undergoing repair after being vandalised (there are some truly sad people around).
The names are those shown on the plinths – I didn’t devise them…

letsgoquackers.co.uk

A Tyneside trip

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...1 Comment

It’s a long way from Shropshire to Newcastle (upon Tyne, that is). The train from Manchester takes just under two and a half hours for the 150-mile journey, but first we’ve got to get to Manchester. At Newcastle, we’ll take a Metro ride to Tynemouth (and its magnificent railway station). Fish and chips, eaten on the wall overlooking the North Sea, will keep us going for the rest of the day. We’ll even get a glimpse of Newcastle’s Grey Street before heading for home. It’s an early start and a late return, but on a day of cloudless blue skies, this is truly a grand day out. More to follow – this is just a taster…

Mid-May in Bannister’s Coppice

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks1 Comment

We’re following what has become a favourite route – from Much Wenlock, down through Homer to Bannister’s Coppice, and back along the old waggonway route. There may be some deer about, and perhaps some early purple orchids? Down beside the brook, there was a group of perhaps a dozen deer, well-camouflaged amongst the trees, and only visible when they moved (away, of course). There were a few more in the field when we left the coppice – they didn’t hang around either.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=362200&Y=302111&A=Y&Z=120

Watermills in border country

On By geoffspagesIn NT and EH, Photography, Video1 Comment

A good day out – the steam-hauled “Welsh Marches Express” (see “Steaming through Stokesay” for more pictures and video), followed by visits to Herefordshire and Shropshire watermills, open to the public on “National Mills Weekend”. We’ll have lunch out too, in the black-and-white village of Pembridge.

The mills are:
Staunton Mill, at Staunton on Arrow (Herefordshire)
Court of Noke Mill nearby (with mill-wheel turning)
Wrickton Mill, near Neenton, Shropshire (also with a turning wheel)
Charlcotte iron furnace, near Neenton (no, not a mill, though its bellows were water-powered – many years ago…)

National Mills Weekend

Video on Youtube: Court of Noke and Wrickton mills

Brown Clee in May

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

…via the Burwarton estate road and Boyne Water. On a day like this, it’s against the law to stay in, apparently. Everywhere will be busy; Brown Clee might be quieter than places with ice cream vans and tea rooms? It probably was, though there were lots of cars parked where usually there might be one or two others. We didn’t see many of their occupants – perhaps ten in total. It’s quiet here – just the odd lark (ascending), hardly a breach of the peace. It’s warm too (jackets and jumpers not required – at last!), with a pleasant light breeze, and though the sky is clear the air isn’t – this is not a day for extensive views. Nevertheless, it’s a great place to be on such an afternoon.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=360215&Y=285696&A=Y&Z=120