Friday afternoon: a walk on the Wenlock edge. Starting from the car park by the Hughley turn, we’ll walk towards Wenlock along the very pleasant woodland path, below the edge, and return along the crest, above the woods and the old quarry workings. The weather’s getting warmer, and the butterflies are sunning themselves.
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We’ve walked to Ironbridge (easy – downhill!) for lunch. Now we have to pay for it – with a most enjoyable walk back up through the woods and across the fields. It was supposed to be overcast today, but the weather wasn’t paying attention to any forecasts.
It’s bright and sunny, and though the wind’s cold, it’s far too good to stay in. We’ll wander – see where we get to – perhaps check how the bluebell wood is developing? Spring is really moving along now, with the blackthorn blossom taking centre stage.
A first visit to the Staffordshire estate, former residence of a certain late well-known photographer. I’d better do my best today, but they’re only snapshots of a brief visit. There’s too much to see in a single afternoon – we’ll have to return, perhaps mid-week when it might be quieter…
Twenty in steam at Statfold, for the March Enthusiasts’ day – what a great day’s entertainment! For more on the visit to the Statfold Barn Railway, and lots of pictures, visit “A Spring Score at Statfold” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries
…and Ashes Hollow. It’s another fine sunny day (though the sunshine will become hazy later), so we’re stretching our legs on the Long Mynd. We haven’t been up Minton Batch for some time, so we walk down the very quiet lane from Little Stretton to Minton and just beyond, then up the valley to the top of the Mynd, just along from the gliding field. The road along the top isn’t quite so quiet, but it’s a pleasant stroll and it’s easy enough to dodge the odd car (youngish men taking women old enough to be their mothers out for a drive. Odd, that). Reaching Pole Cottage, we remember there’s chocolate in the camera bag (it’s what they’re for) – perfect for a brief halt before heading off down Ashes Hollow and back to the car.
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We had a fine sunny day for our visit to Statfold today – perfect conditions for watching no fewer than twenty 2’0″gauge steam locos in action. (I didn’t try to count them – they keep moving around, and I’d have fallen asleep). As well as the usual locals, visitor “Diana” from Bala Lake took a star turn, along with the delightful newly-restored Peckett Liassic. A “Rail Diaries” page will appear sooner or later; in the meantime here’s a picture of the Peckett.
A rare visitor to Shrewsbury today – “Royal Scot” no 46115 Scots Guardsman, seen making light work of Battlefield bank with 12 coaches in tow (I suppose we should be glad that it wasn’t raining – but the weak sunshine of just five minutes earlier would have been most welcome).
Chasewater – the “Industrial Gala”. It’s cloudy, and cold in the stiff breeze; not a day for photography, though I’ll take a few. Colin and Teddy, the two tiny saddle-tank locomotives, will demand attention, as ever, and the recent arrivals – a pair of ancient Motor-Rails, in disguise as ex-BR lookalikes 15097 and 15099, need their pictures taken too. Visit “A windy Chase” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for more.
They must have thought as we did – that it was a perfect day for the hills, almost too good for mid-March. A cloudless sky, warm sunshine, cool air and the lightest of breezes – much better than mid-summer. Fewer people about, but at least four red kites. First there was one on his (or her) own, then another, then a pair, hurrying away to the north – and moments later, another pair circling to our south. The alpacas and llamas were enjoying the sun too. This is south Shropshire, isn’t it? It’s hard to be sure sometimes.
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