Monkhopton Highlands

On 03 Dec 2017 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

It’ll be wet underfoot – we’ll have a walk along some quiet lanes in the high ground south of Monkhopton. It’s not especially scenic, but it’s easy walking, and there are some fairly extensive views. By the time we’ve completed about 2/3 of the route, the gaps between the clouds have gone, and with them the light for photography, though it’s only just 4pm when we get back to the car. This time next month, the nights will be getting lighter again.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=363415&Y=292071&A=Y&Z=120

Cold day in Coalport…

On 30 Nov 2017 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

…and Jackfield, Madeley and Ironbridge. The sky is clear blue, but the temperature is barely above freezing and there’s a stiff northerly breeze. The sheltered valley and south-facing slopes might be the best places to aim for, and there’s plenty of interest on this short leg-stretch.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=368465&Y=303561&A=Y&Z=120

Parkland

On 26 Nov 2017 By geoffspagesIn NT and EH, PhotographyLeave a comment

They’re feeding the deer at Attingham Park this afternoon – and the deer have accurate internal clocks – they’re ready and waiting. Alert and watchful, they’re much more photogenic than when the feeding has begun – that’s the time for us to continue around the park, through the woodland, before heading homewards.

Attingham Park NT

Cold Clee

On 26 Nov 201726 Nov 2017 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Friday 24 November: It’s cold up here today – the frost is lingering in the hollows – but the sunshine (wall-to-wall!) is warm, and a picnic lunch on the rocks near the summit of Clee Burf will be just the thing. We’ve got to get there first, and we’re trying a new route, up the edge of the access land near Stoke Enclosure. It’s a good route too – until we reach the summit plateau. We have to cross deeply tussocky grassland, and there’s no path – and the gaps between the tussocks are very wet… Lunch over, we’re not going to hang around – it’s too cold, but not too cold for a chocolate stop at the well-placed wooden seat. It’s downhill from here…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=358635&Y=284841&A=Y&Z=120

Oliver Cromwell

On 25 Nov 2017 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways..., Shropshire hillsLeave a comment

We got it right this time – the train was running 25 minutes late when it hurried past, making a wonderful sight and a tremendous sound. If it had been on time, there would have been heavy cloud overhead – no sunshine! For more pictures, visit “Olly – better late…” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries

A Willey circuit

On 19 Nov 2017 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

We’re circling the Willey estate (have to circle it – can’t go through it. Private. Keep out) on a fine, still November afternoon. There’s some bright sunshine early on, lighting the remaining leaves and the odd bit of bracken. Later, as we pass the medieval old hall and head up through the woods, the sun is dimming, and we’re into the gloom of late afternoon.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366255&Y=299041&A=Y&Z=120

On Cheshire Lines

On 17 Nov 2017 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...Leave a comment

Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries, an illustrated account of a great day out, using a “Cheshire Day Ranger” ticket. Visit “Cheshire Lines Revisited” – now!

Ice-cold in Coalport

On 12 Nov 201712 Nov 2017 By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

I exaggerate – but a friend said there had been snow in Wellington this morning. We certainly wouldn’t have wanted to be caught in one of the morning’s sharp showers, but the afternoon would be bright and sunny (and cold, and it will be good to stay out of the wind…). Yes, the weather forecast was right. The colours are so much better at this time of year, aren’t they? There’s only one problem – the tea shop in the youth hostel is closed during the winter months. We’ll have to make do with chocolate (it’s what camera bags are for, isn’t it?)

The memorial footbridge on Remembrance Sunday

Mucklewick mud

On 11 Nov 2017 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Friday 10 Nov: One of us felt we should visit the Christmas fair at the Bog Centre – it would be quieter, perhaps, than the Saturday and Sunday. While we’re out there, a walk would be in order – it’s bright and breezy, with plenty of sunshine and just the odd spot of rain in the wind every now and then. We set off with no firm route in mind, and ended up with a route that was decidedly unfirm. The last few fields were seriously soggy – it was “pick your way very carefully” territory. If the Christmas fair was relatively quiet, the walk was even quieter – we saw no-one from leaving the Bog until we returned a couple of hours later. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else on Mucklewick Hill. I’m not complaining…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=334345&Y=297286&A=Y&Z=120

Beech and birch…

On 08 Nov 2017 By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

…on Cannock Chase. It’s a perfect late-autumn morning, ideal for a walk over the Chase, to the visitor centre for lunch. We’ve earned bacon baps today, though the real reward is the colour in the remaining leaves, especially when seen against that clear blue sky. There are few left on the silver birch, but those on the many beech trees which line the edge of the coniferous forest are glowing in the sunshine.

Cannock Chase Visitor Centre