I walked this route, more or less, in January (see “Mogg Forest“). It was rather wet underfoot back then, and still a bit sticky in places today. There were few other similarities – instead of wet mid-winter, we’re now in spring – there are crops in the fields and yet more bluebells in the woods
A dry, warm (in the sunshine) and bright afternoon, after a string of showery days. Benthall Hall is our objective – we can go through the bluebell woods on the way, and have a drink and cake before setting off back…
More than half the abbey has gone, but what remains is a pleasant spot for a brief exploration on an afternoon when heavy showers threatened between bursts of sunshine. The threat was not followed through, apart from a few spots in the wind, but the sunshine did its best to confound. There are some nice little details in the stonework, and the topiary is wonderful!
One of Shropshire’s little-known gems, and an ideal spot for exploration on an afternoon when showers threatened
A walk down to the Severn below Coalport, following the river, the canal and the old railway track to Ironbridge. Tea and scones are available at the YHA near the china museum – just the thing to get us back up Bridge Bank.
They’re everywhere now – must check out the local bluebell wood. Today we’re on Wenlock Edge, walking a circular route from Aston Munslow. There’s quite a variety of other blooms beside the paths and tracks – a riot of colour (I may be exaggerating). But for sheer quantity, the bluebells win, hands down.
Wandering with the camera on a warm, but only intermittently sunny, spring afternoon.
We’ve had one or two steam-hauled specials in Shropshire recently – this would be the last for the immediate future. It should have been a Britannia, then it was going to be Duchess of Sutherland. In the end, they were all indisposed, and the duty fell to humble Black 5 no. 44932 – an ideal subject for “steam in the landscape” shots…
(A few) More photos and video at “Steam in the Landscape” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries
Just published to “Geoff’s Rail Diaries“, an illustrated account of yesterday’s trip to the LBNGR. Visit “Leighton Buzzard and the Baldwin” – now!
No 778, a WW1 Baldwin, makes a fine sight accelerating away from Page’s Park station on the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway.
It’s the Industrial Railway Society’s AGM – before the meeting, there’s a trip up the line – and before the trip up the line, there are a couple of “false starts”, just for photographers. Great stuff!
More photos will eventually appear on “Geoff’s Rail Diaries” – but not tonight…
