Just photos – no particular theme
…from the bitterly-cold Forth shore to the tourist hordes in the old town.
Sunday 17 November: we walked from Newhaven to Leith, following the water’s edge where we could, then headed inland to the top of Leith Walk. We’re in Edinburgh now: I shudder to think what the Royal Mile must be like in high summer. We’ll try to find a quieter route to Waverley, where we’ve an appointment with the 13.11 train to the Borders Railway.
Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries, an illustrated account of Wednesday’s Northern Rail outing, Visit “The Southport Avoider” – now!
Busy days!
Saturday 16 November: off to Edinburgh, on the train from Crewe.
Sunday: an ice-cold start on the Forth’s shore at Newhaven and Leith, then up Leith Walk (on foot, of course) for a brief spot of tourism in Edinburgh’s old town.
Monday: another frosty morning. This time we’ll use the old railway track to Scotland Street, and we’ll visit Calton Hill and the National Museum of Scotland. A full day wouldn’t have done justice to the museum, and we’ve only got a couple of hours before our train for home.
Tuesday: a day off, and an hour or so of fresh air down by the Severn, where the bridge is looking good in the late-afternoon light.
Wednesday: away at the crack of dawn for a rail exploration of parts of Lancashire, which doesn’t quite go according to plan. We miss a train in unexpected fashion in Wigan, before finding ourselves (briefly) in Blackburn and Clitheroe.
(further photographic exploration to follow)
We’re wandering around Bridgnorth, making the most of some better weather. Will it last?
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=371642&Y=292641&A=Y&Z=120
Sunday afternoon: we’re away from our usual haunts, up in the south-western corner of Cheshire, which unlike parts of the county, isn’t plain. These sandstone hills are not very high, but only a little elevation is needed for the extensive views in all directions – once we’re out of the woodland, that is. Away to the north-west, we can make out Liverpool and its cathedral (one of them), and there’s the reassuring outline of the Wrekin to the south. It’s good underfoot too – sandy paths and not much mud, despite recent rain. But it’s busy on Bickerton Hill! There are lots of people everywhere, especially on the main drag up from the car park to Kitty’s Rock and the hill fort at Maiden Castle. It’s not quiet here! We’ll come again, and explore more of the Sandstone Trail – on a school-term weekday…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=349960&Y=353210&A=Y&Z=120
Friday: it’s a better day – bright and sunny, great for photography. It’s also very cold – we won’t hang around. Apart from one or two groups of schoolchildren, it’s quiet at Blists Hill. I think all the visitors are in the several houses – the doctor’s house, the squatters’ cottage, the toll house – in front of their warm fires.
At least there’s plenty of shelter in the arboretum… Less than 5% chance of rain at Bewdley? Huh! We spend some time trying to stay dry in a variety of shelters – under the trees (obviously), in Hagrid’s hut, Aragog’s lair, the tea room… There’s some sunshine too, and at times it’s both sunny and rainy. Nevertheless, a very pleasant afternoon, and it didn’t rain on the (unsheltered) way back to the car, at the other side of the river. The cakes, of course, were wonderful!
We’re enjoying a pleasant afternoon in the woods on the Dudmaston Estate, making the most of a dry spell (it’ll rain later). The autumn colours are splendid here, especially the sweet chestnut, and the beech down by the pools.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=374805&Y=289836&A=Y&Z=120
It has to be a stroll – the path along the ridge is far too rough for any speed. Slow progress is essential if the view is to be appreciated without broken bones… The distant views are wonderful, in all directions; closer, there are other items of interest – a red kite, toadstools (just a few), a fine hairy coo – and the alpacas… It’s a great day to be up here – fine and clear, bright and cool (and breezy). Nevertheless, it’s good to get back to the Bog too – the cakes are splendid. What an enjoyable day!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=336175&Y=298046&A=Y&Z=120
We spent the afternoon on the Stiperstones, enjoying sunshine and a bracing breeze. Afterwards (it’s the law) there’s tea and cake at the Bog Centre, and they close for the winter after next weekend – hence the choice of venue for today’s outing.
More photos to follow.
geoffspages.blog 