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.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=399195&Y=316501&A=Y&Z=120

Scarlet, silver and gold

On 16 Feb 201616 Feb 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

We’re heading for Coalbrookdale, using a path we haven’t walked before (old maps show a pre-railway age tramway following the same route) to descend from Broseley’s maypole towards the new free bridge, a modern silver-painted steel structure half a mile downriver from its more famous cousin. A ruddy stream betrays the content of the hillside, a reminder of why it all happened around here, some 250 years ago. When we reach Darby’s coke hearth, at the top of the dale, we’ll head for home – pausing only for tea and scones beside the Severn…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367225&Y=303191&A=Y&Z=120

Following a new path

On 14 Feb 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Rights of way are not, it would appear, set in concrete (far from it – it was distinctly wet underfoot today) – this one has only recently appeared on the Ordnance Survey map. On the ground, the signs describe it as a “Restricted Byway”. It’s fairly obvious that the route has existed for a long time – through the woodlands, and the wonderful green road as we descend. It makes possible a very pleasant circular walk, between Shirlett and Muckley Cross (I’ve added a lead-in to the circle in order to park the car somewhere sensible). It’s fine, dry, bright but cold afternoon, and there are one or two early signs of spring – the trees are full of twittering birds (blue tits, great tits – teacher, teacher, teacher – and robins galore). There are one or two daffodils out, and in places the hawthorn is greening rapidly – much too soon, I suspect. Is there a chance of snow later in the week?

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=364774&Y=296785&A=Y&Z=115 (not yet shown on 1:50,000 map)

Snowdrops and floods

On 12 Feb 2016 By geoffspagesIn NT and EH, PhotographyLeave a comment

The one seems to accompany the other – we’ve been to Attingham on previous occasions, to see the floral display and to find the river Tern resembling a lake, backing up from the nearby Severn. It’s a pleasant spot for a cold afternoon, and though the morning’s sunshine has gone, there’s barely a breeze – the water’s like a mirror. There are post-stroll tea and cakes too…

Attingham Park NT

Town halls and tramways

On 12 Feb 201612 Feb 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography1 Comment

We didn’t just point our cameras at the trams on Wednesday – there were other interesting things to see. Rochdale town hall was a real eye-opener, as well as an excellent place for a light lunch, and Manchester’s buildings, old and new, looked wonderful in the strong and directional late afternoon light.

Rochdale town hall virtual tour

For the tram photos, and more of Manchester Victoria, see http://geoffspages.co.uk/raildiary/tramlines.htm

Tramlines

On 11 Feb 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...1 Comment

Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries – this year’s first entry (at last!): “Tramlines“, an illustrated account of yesterday’s outing to Manchester.

Riding the trams

On 11 Feb 201611 Feb 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...Leave a comment

Weds. 10th Feb: a day out, in and around Manchester. It’s several years since I was last there, and the tramways have expanded greatly (the trams have all been replaced too). A day return to Holmes Chapel and a Greater Manchester “Wayfarer” (just £6 for those of a certain age – brilliant value!) make this most enjoyable day out an inexpensive one too. There will be a “Rail Diaries” page of trams in due course, and a blog entry for the “other stuff”. In the meantime, a taster – car 3012 passing the magnificent Midland hotel.

Wayfarer map

Hawks and doves

On 07 Feb 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography1 Comment

I was trying to get a half-decent photograph of the sparrowhawk on our shed roof when the woodpigeon arrived, and sat there looking quite unconcerned. I suspect the hawk could have made mincemeat of the pigeon, but after a few moments reflection, he thought better of it and wandered off.

Tautology on the Mynd

On 03 Feb 201603 Feb 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

No, nothing to do with the once-popular pets – in fact we kept up a pretty good pace (these new boots must have belonged to Mercury; happily their wings are invisible to mortals). We were walking an 8-mile circuit from the Cardingmill, out via Cwm Dale and Batch Valley – which might roughly translate as “Valley Valley” and “Valley Valley”. Nomenclature notwithstanding, it’s a very pleasant route, which takes us to the Mynd plateau and an easy stroll to the highest point at Pole Bank. The days are getting longer, but so were the shadows as we approached the top, so the photos must end there…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=343855&Y=295086&A=Y&Z=120

Chasewater

On 30 Jan 201631 Jan 2016 By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

I’m walking-in some new boots, though I suspect they don’t really need it. A slightly-extended circuit of Chasewater is just the thing on this cold, bright and breezy afternoon. It’s an interesting and popular spot. There are swans, ducks, geese and coots by the dozen. There are deer (at least, there are the heads of deer). There are dog-walkers, families and cyclists: some are quiet, some have to talk very loudly, and some chat with invisible people using little hand-held gadgets. Two of the cyclists are pushing their machines, for no very clear reason (other than the obvious “push-bike”). Close to the car park, there’s a truly crazy golf course – but surely that can’t be the hole? Back at the car, the boots appear to be suitably muddied – and though they didn’t need walking-in, their owner enjoyed a walk out.