Mitchell’s Fold and Bromlow Callow

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

We’re on the western fringe of Shropshire today, in a part of the county where the distant past has some significance. Mitchell’s Fold stone circle is a well-known ancient monument, whose location on this high grassy ridge makes up for a lack of stature – it’s not Stonehenge. Walking on, we arrive at Castle Ring (a pretty straightforward name for a hill fort) – again, not the biggest in these parts, but its situation is dramatic. We take a detour on the way there, to visit the top of Rorrington Hill. No cairn or OS column – the highest point must be found by guesswork. Eventually, we come to Bromlow Callow. I’ve no idea what its history might be, but the round hill topped by a clump of tall trees makes it a distinctive landmark in these parts. The view would be tremendous on a clearer day – it’s hazy again, and we can only just make out the Long Mountain (it may be long, but it’s hardly a mountain) barely five miles away. Our return takes us to the highest point of Stapeley Hill – again, it’s not a mountain, but at least its highest points are marked by rocks and cairns. We could have had better views today, though we did see a hare – he must have been just a few yards away when we startled him. With sunshine and light winds, it’s been another great day out on the hills.

Or view OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=331605&Y=299611&A=Y&Z=120

Watercolour days

On 12 Mar 201612 Mar 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Friday: spring is in the air – and there’s a spring in our steps. It’s not warm, but this is the first day we haven’t needed gloves, scarves, hats etc. With the change in weather has come a haze, shortening our horizons and fading them to shades of watercolour. We’re following a new (for us) route, using a permissive bridleway and gentle gradients to reach Boyne Water, an attractive pool which is larger than one might expect, so near the summit ridge of Brown Clee. Minutes later, we exchange the eastern view – pleasant gentle countryside, for the western view – the indistinct pastel-blue ridges of the border hills. It’s good up here on a day like this, but we can’t stay, and we’re soon threading our way back down between moss- and lichen-clad trees, towards the car and the short journey home.

Or view OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=360140&Y=285876&A=Y&Z=120

Little locomotives

On 07 Mar 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...Leave a comment

Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries, and account – with photos – of yesterday’s visit to Chasewater for their (wintry) spring gala, starring tiny Teddy and his little friend Colin. Visit “Teddy and Colin” for the full story.

Under a clear blue sky: Lyth Hill

On 07 Mar 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

We needed to collect a package in Shrewsbury, some time in the latter part of the afternoon. One of us had thought about calling in on the shops, but the weather was much too good for that. Lyth Hill, just south of the town, would provide us with a reasonable walk. It’s hardly worth calling a hill, barely 550′ at its highest point, but its isolated position provides a panoramic view of the south Shropshire hills, from the Wrekin through the Stretton hills to the distant (and snow-covered) Berwyns. We encountered the noisiest and most insistent sheep we’ve met for a long time (“wave upon wave of demented avengers”), a fine herd of deer (who, fortunately, can’t read the sign at the end of the lane proclaiming “venison for sale”), innumerable horses, and on Lyth Hill itself, one of the highest concentrations of dogs and their walkers for many a mile. As for the fields of Exfords Green – they’re the greenest we’ve seen for a long time. It must be spring.

Or view OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=346640&Y=306321&A=Y&Z=120

Teddy: making Colin look big

On 06 Mar 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...Leave a comment

Centenarian Barclay saddle tank Colin McAndrew, a resident favourite at the Chasewater Railway, is very small, without a doubt – one of the smallest standard gauge steam locomotives in existence. But Teddy*, a 75-year-old upstart Peckett, is without a doubt smaller – 2’0″ diameter driving wheels… Smallest? Quite possibly – and almost certainly the smallest in full working order. Today we spent several pleasant hours beside the line, on the occasion of its spring gala. (It didn’t feel much like spring, though the sun did shine early on). A “Rail Diaries” page will be along in a while – in the meantime, here’s Teddy…

*Originally owned by Teddy Boston, of Cadeby Light Railway fame

The other edge at Wenlock

On 05 Mar 201605 Mar 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

The western escarpment is much the better known at the northern end of the Wenlock Edge, with some very pleasant walks from the popular NT car park at Much Wenlock. This route, to the eastern ridge, is less well-known and much quieter. We walk beside the old railway line and through fields, along interesting little wooded pathways. Between the heavy clouds (we’ve managed to dodge the showers) the sky is blue – the landscape is a patchwork of light and shade today.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=361295&Y=299171&A=Y&Z=120

Just around the corner?

On 28 Feb 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

It’s the 1st of March on Tuesday – St David’s day, and there are signs of spring all around us as we wander down to the river, for tea and cake at Coalport youth hostel, just beside the china works. We’re about 2/3 of the way round, and their shortcake is perfect fuel for the long plod back up the hill…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=369175&Y=301571&A=Y&Z=120

A last look

On 24 Feb 2016 By geoffspagesIn NT and EH, PhotographyLeave a comment

The morning’s sun has gone, but it’s a fine afternoon at Attingham, where we’re taking a last look at the snowdrops – their season is nearly past. We’ll look at the deer too – and unexpected nuthatches by the hide, who are quite reluctant to pose for the camera…

Attingham Park NT

The Packet Stone and Pole Bank

On 23 Feb 201623 Feb 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

At Pole Bank, I took off my gloves to eat an apple – my fingers were nearly frozen when I’d finished, and it was only a little one. Temperature aside, it felt as though spring could be in the air this afternoon on the Long Mynd. Around Little Stretton, the birds’ singing seemed to confirm my suspicions. Clear air (the Brecon Beacons just visible to the south), bright sunshine and just a very light breeze – perfect! One of those afternoons when it’s too good to come down again…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=342450&Y=292486&A=Y&Z=120

On the Chase

On 18 Feb 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

It’s a good place for wandering on a cold, bright and sunny day – even when it’s half term. The numerous parked cars are evidence of other people (and their children / grandchildren / dogs), but there’s plenty of space here. We only really become aware of others at the visitor centre, where (conveniently) it’s lunchtime, and despite the crowds (that’s a relative term – it’s not quite Blackpool beach), there’s a table where we can sit indoors. Fed and watered, we’re heading back towards the start. Like the trees, there are paths galore here – no need to retread our steps.