Reieval

On 06 Dec 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Skye, WalksLeave a comment

Skye: 24 November: Poor thing! With a summit just 299m above sea level, it seems to be classified as a “tump” (whatever that may be). Classification notwithstanding, it’s a hill, and a very pleasant one too on this fine afternoon. I’ve walked down the road from Linicro, and followed a track up from the Totescore road end. There’s no-one else here (and precious few sheep) – it’s quiet, really quiet, and most enjoyable. Descending, I join the road from Staffin towards Uig, where the ferry is loading, before turning back along the main road above the bay.

Steam in the golden hour

On 06 Dec 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways..., VideoLeave a comment

Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries – “Santa Steam ’16” – photos and video from Sunday’s trip to the Severn Valley Railway, to see the Santa trains catching the golden light of a December afternoon.

The waterworks road

On 05 Dec 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Skye, WalksLeave a comment

Weds 23rd, afternoon: That’s exactly what it is – a rough-surfaced road to the little cluster of buildings on the spring line, providing a quick route to a quiet, empty hillside. Beyond, we follow the route of an old road which must once have served a long-vanished settlement to the east of Kilvaxter, north of Uig on Skye’s Trotternish peninsula. We’ll return via Kilmuir’s village hall, along the single-track A855, which is quieter than many a country lane on this November afternoon. There wasn’t time for anything more – the sun’s already setting behind Waternish.

Last of the light

On 04 Dec 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...Leave a comment

Santa trains on the Severn Valley Railway – a great photographic opportunity, provided the weather cooperates. Today, it did just that – the sun shone from a clear blue sky until it set behind a line of trees to the south-west, just as 7802 Bradley Manor passed on its way back to Kidderminster. There will be more photos and video on Geoff’s Rail Diaries, but not for a day or two – too many other things above it on the to-do list.

Portree

On 03 Dec 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, SkyeLeave a comment

Late November – we’re at our northern office, so to speak, for a few days. The Skye weather is unexpectedly good, despite the short hours of daylight – any outings will need to straddle lunchtime (have to take it with us…).

Weds 23rd, morning – I’m in Portree, killing time (waiting for a bus!) – it’s hard to imagine a better time and place, despite the morning’s hard frost. I’ll start with the Lump (what a charming name!) – the island capital’s little park on a rock above the harbour – then I’ll work my way around to the other side of the harbour and look back. I could happily have spent longer, but the bus won’t wait (and what a great bus ride!). Time (and light) permitting, I should be able to get a leg stretch this afternoon too.

Christmas Cheshireman

On 19 Nov 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...Leave a comment

It’s a steam-hauled excursion from Bristol to Chester and back, hauled by the reliable pair of Black 5s 44871 and 45407. It was running around 40 minutes late when we saw it near Craven Arms, but going very nicely… For more (admittedly very similar) photos visit “Christmas Cheshireman” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries

Coalport on a grey afternoon…

On 13 Nov 201616 Nov 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

…so we’ll do it in black and white! It’s a pleasant circuit, down to Jackfield by hidden paths in the jungle, then across to Coalport and along the old railway track to Coalport bridge. We cross the Severn again and walk along the other old railway, before joining Pound Lane and heading for home.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=369350&Y=301556&A=Y&Z=120

November on Clee Burf

On 10 Nov 201616 Nov 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

There’s a stiff breeze, but it’s too good to stay in – we’ll walk up to Clee Burf, the southern summit of Brown Clee. Apart from the wind in the trees, it’s quiet up here. There’s no-one else about, apart from a solitary jogger, who doesn’t look happy. No shortage of sheep, of course. The forecast suggested there could be the odd shower, but we’re lucky today – bright sunshine throughout. There’s a big shower cloud to the north, and another, nearer, provides us with an unexpected rainbow. The end of it is just over there – no crocks though, just another sheep – taking on an appropriately golden tint in the late afternoon sunshine.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=358572&Y=284823&A=Y&Z=120

Wellington’s Hill

On 07 Nov 201616 Nov 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks1 Comment

The Shropshire Hills AONB is almost entirely south of the Severn – just one little bit spills over to the other side, almost to Wellington, to encompass the Wrekin, which in many ways is Wellington’s own hill. The first stretch from the Forest Glen can be busy (that’s a relative term, of course), and the summit was positively heaving – there must have been four other people there, plus two dogs. Most visitors seem to turn here and return the way they’ve come. Beyond lie the rocks (notable for the Needle’s Eye, which one must thread at least once in a lifetime) – and a different feel altogether. That’s perhaps because of the views – the ground drops away sharply, and the panorama in the south-westerly quarter is spectacular, especially on an afternoon like this. Unusually, the strong directional sunshine lasted while I stayed on top – the clouds gathered as I returned along the quiet woodland paths on the north-western flank. Did a few snowflakes drift gently down, or was I imagining things? It was certainly cold enough.