Making the most of the dry and warm weather – another Wenlock Edge walk, from the car park at Presthope. The route as far as Easthope follows the Shropshire Way, but it’s not been been heavily walked. One short section of path has vanished altogether, requiring a deviation (a short walk along a busy road), and the route across the fields has new crops growing on it. Where are all the waymarkers? As we approach Easthope, a red kite glides high overhead – the second time we’ve seen one hereabouts recently.

From Easthope, we follow the minor road up to the crest of the Wenlock Edge, and descend to the old railway track. The passenger service between Wenlock and Craven Arms ended more than 60 years ago; freight from Wenlock to Longville finished in 1964. Now the trackbed provides an excellent surface to walk back to Presthope; though the sun filters through, there’s not much of a view – just one or two windows in the forest.

Just published to “Geoff’s Rail Diaries”, an account of Friday’s fun at Apedale – turtles, a diver, a Baldwin, a Brigadelok and much more – and lots more pictures. Visit “Tracks to the Trenches“.