Red kite and small blue

On 15 Aug 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

A walk along the very quiet road through Shirlett, down Ned’s Lane, through the Smithies and back up to Shirlett via Round Hill. There’s plenty to see as the season moves along – today’s highlight being the pair of red kites which circled above us briefly (a photographic failure!), followed by the small blue posing just a little further on. Meanwhile, the harvest continues.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366240&Y=297950&A=Y&Z=120

Fruit, berries, butterflies

On 14 Aug 202003 Sep 2020 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

Despite the recent very warm weather (it’s much more temperate today, thanks), autumn seems to be approaching rapidly. The landscape is late-summer drab, but there are seasonal colours in the leaves, fruits and berries. No shortage of butterflies either, though they’re mostly white varieties on this occasion. Lots of interest in this local leg-stretch!

Woody nightshade (don't eat these berries!)

The Wyke walk

On 13 Aug 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

This time yesterday it was almost 30°; today it’s barely over 20°. What a difference! The air feels cool, it’s still and humid – clammy in the shadier places – and we’d better not hang around, it’s going to rain later. The blackberries slowed us down significantly (we have to assess their quality for jam-making purposes), nevertheless, we were practically back to the start when the rain came on. One of these days, we’re going to get caught out – but not today!

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365265&Y=301021&A=Y&Z=120

An evening leg-stretch

On 10 Aug 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography1 Comment

Thunder, lightning and rain this afternoon – but by early evening, the skies have cleared. The forecast says there’s a risk of more before long, but we’ll chance it… It’s just a short one, for a change of scene and some fresh air.

Plaish

On 09 Aug 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

It’s a hamlet in the quiet country between the Wenlock Edge and the Stretton hills. It’s notable for its 16th century hall, apparently one of the earliest brick-built houses in the county. The views would be wonderful from its elevated position – but not today – it’s murky, and only just starting to feel warm as we return to the car. A very pleasant leg-stretch nevertheless.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=353520&Y=295320&A=Y&Z=120

Round Hill and Ned’s Lane

On 08 Aug 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

An evening stroll, where the air’s cool under the trees. Other than a bull serenading a cow in the field at the other side of the lane, it’s very quiet up here – no-one else about. It’s Saturday – perhaps they’re out enjoying themselves. Just like us…

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Shirlett and the toad

On 07 Aug 2020 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

A gentle evening stroll – it’s too warm for anything energetic. Pleasantly cool air drifts out from the gloom of the woods. We’re almost back to the start when a lump of mud beside the lane turns out to be a fine warty toad, who is perfectly happy to pose for the camera, though he’ll keep a close eye on us…

Views of the Wrekin

On 06 Aug 202006 Aug 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

We’re walking the quiet lanes around Cound, Harnage and Coundmoor, on this warm afternoon. The sky may be grey but there’s colour in the fields and hedgerows. The Wrekin is a prominent landmark, and quite a fine shape from this direction.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=355890&Y=304016&A=Y&Z=120

Around the lanes…

On 05 Aug 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks1 Comment

…before the rain. A warm, breezy afternoon – lots of cloud and the odd sunny interval – very pleasant for a quick wander.
On our return, as we approach the car, the first drops are falling.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367420&Y=297950&A=Y&Z=120

Harvest time

On 05 Aug 202005 Aug 2020 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

Tuesday 4 August: a short evening stroll, accompanied by the roar of combine harvester engines. They’re into the wheat at present, the barley will have to wait a little longer.