Sunshine after rain… A wander around Buildwas Abbey, Shropshire.

We’re wandering in the north-western corner of Herefordshire. Wigmore Castle is unusual in that it hasn’t been tidied-up in its derelict state – rambling and colourful undergrowth rather than manicured lawns. Just the place for the Famous Five, or was it the Secret Seven, to have an adventure. Yes, they turned up, complete with dog.

The Shobdon Arches form a folly on the hillside, some remains from the interior of the old church which was replaced more than 250 years ago. Sadly, the stone carvings are suffering from the weather.

Much too good to stay at home – don’t want to join the bank holiday throngs on the roads. “How about walking to Benthall Hall? We could see if the bluebells are out in the woods”. We could get refreshments too – understood without needing to be mentioned… The bluebells need another week or so perhaps, though there are a few out. It’s hard to remember, on a shirt-sleeves day like today, just how cold it was a few weeks ago – and how muddy underfoot. Already it’s dried and baked hard (I’m not complaining).

Benthall Hall (NT)

A wander around the lake and through the dingle at Dudmaston Hall.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dudmaston-estate/

A Saturday afternoon wander around Blists Hill – in the company (an unexpected bonus…) of Alice in Wonderland. We never knowingly encountered Alice herself, though we did bump into the King and Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, the March Hare and one or two other characters (who may or may not have been associated with the Alice theme).

http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/our_attractions/blists_hill_victorian_town/

An afternoon of warm late autumn sunshine, after a cold dank week