Sounds like a pizza! …and even. There’s over 12″ of snow coating this part of Shropshire – that’s deep for these parts – quite exceptional in fact. It’s even too – there was little wind when it fell. It’s not very crisp though – more light and fluffy (still sounding like a pizza?). With a completely blue sky and bright sunshine, a walk with the camera was unavoidable.
…and snew and snew, as my grandfather used to say. That was yesterday – today, a respite – more snow is forecast for tomorrow – so we’re taking a brief leg stretch along the local lanes.
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
…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
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.
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
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
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
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!
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?)
