Just photos – no particular theme
It’s been a very warm day – 30C in the early afternoon, with a clear blue sky and strong sunshine. Far too hot for walking, but soon the cloud moves in from the west, and the evening temperature is just over 20C when we set out along the lane at Shirlett. Very different from four days ago too -the skies were clearing when we walked this way at about the same time.
Walking on a warm afternoon: down to the Inett and past the old mines to Red Lane. The colours of spring are long past, but the air is clear, the sky is blue, and there’s no shortage of subjects for the camera.
Taking a closer look beside the path from Barrow to Wyke and back. There are poppies in the wheat and barley, and more butterflies than we’ve seen for a long time. Most are nervous, taking flight before we’re aware of them, but others are prepared to pose, too interested in a spot of nectar to worry about passing snappers. Our walk is delayed by refreshments too – the blackberries are ripe and juicy!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365225&Y=301215&A=Y&Z=120
Nothing to do with motorcycles or poets… Between the two, we’ll pass through the farm hamlet of Wigwig – where did that name come from? It’s a short walk (just over 4 miles) in mostly quiet* country below the Wenlock Edge, and very pleasant it is too!
* except the very last short stretch approaching the busy main road
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=360720&Y=302125&A=Y&Z=120
27 July: early evening – the air is clearing after a grey, damp day, and there are clearings here and there in Shirlett woods. The light warms as the sun dips. A little earlier, we’d remarked that the more interesting sights – kites, deer, small rodents etc – only appear when you’re not expecting them. Five minutes from the end of our wander, a muntjac trots across the road.
Grey skies again, and it is still – barely a breath of wind. The Met Office said <5% chance of rain at 3pm and 4pm, so we must have been unlucky. A light rain began to fall 20 minutes into our walk, and felt a little heavier as we neared our intended turning point – we’ll turn back… No, we didn’t get wet, but now, at 6pm, it’s pouring down! Thunder and lightning!
…with the camera. If we’re lucky (we were!), it won’t rain on us. It’s quiet this evening, hardly anyone else about.
Ned’s Lane, Willey and Linley Brook – four quiet miles on a quiet afternoon. The cuckoo pint berries are prominent low in the hedges near Lower Pool, and the pure white of the convolvulus catches the eye in the higher reaches of Bould Lane and beyond.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367490&Y=297955&A=Y&Z=120
Arranging a day’s walking: “where shall we go?” “I’ve got somewhere in mind…” Yes, a day on the Long Mynd. Haven’t been up there for ages.
Carding Mill Valley is horribly busy, but five minutes later we’ve left it all behind, and we’re enjoying a mostly-quiet and easy, if somewhat indirect ascent to the ridge. Predictably, from the top of Mott’s Road to the highest point at Pole Bank, there are others about (but only a very small proportion of those in the valley make it this far). Leaving Pole bank is to leave the crowds (I exaggerate. There were three others there), and our descent, by the Yearlet / Ashlet ridge, is comfortably quiet. A very enjoyable outing (but we won’t be hurrying back to Carding Mill Valley just yet…)
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=344030&Y=295120&A=Y&Z=120
We’re exploring today – quiet farm tracks which we’ve not trodden before, and paths through fields of ripe wheat. If the weather holds, they will very soon be stubble. As well as the usual enjoyable views, there are hundreds of butterflies, most of which are nervous, but one or two pose obligingly for the camera.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=360205&Y=297700&A=Y&Z=120
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