Wightwick Manor is a relatively modern house (National Trust) – but a good subject for the camera on this afternoon of bright sunshine and clear blue skies (between the clouds, that is). Hard to believe we’re less than 3 miles from the centre of Wolverhampton…

 It’s Heritage Open Days weekend – and after the fun and games yesterday, a change of focus – Flounders’ Folly, the recently-restored tower which has for many years been a Wenlock Edge landmark.

The view from the top of the tower (78 steps) is tremendous – and would have been even better if the day had been clearer – perhaps another day…

Visit the Flounders’ Folly website for more details

Zodiac clock, Snowshill
Originally uploaded by geoffspages

An outing to the Cotswolds – ending with a visit to Snowshill Manor and its amazing collection of – er – collectables… Follow the thumbnail for more photos of the exterior; visit the National Trust’s Snowshill page for more information.

Peacock tail
Originally uploaded by geoffspages

Easter Sunday – a cold wind, sleety showers, the sun doing its best to stay behind the clouds… Not a great day for an outing to Berrington Hall, just inside Herefordshire, between Ludlow and Leominster. Nevertheless, there were one or two opportunities for the cameras – follow the thumbnail to Flickr for more.

An interesting little outing to this ancient half-timbered house, with moat and gatehouse, not far from Bromyard in Herefordshire. Rather oddly, the timbers, invariably black in this part of the world, are painted over in a sort of dirty grey. There’s probably a good reason for it.

25 June – a Sunday afternoon outing to this fine old castle just across the Welsh border, near Chirk (between Oswestry and Llangollen). Interesting building, enjoyable gardens. It’s a National Trust property – see here for more details

Very quiet on the roads on the way home (about 4.30 – 5.00pm) – can’t think why…