Just photos – no particular theme
Saturday 4 May continued… Tricky! The sun was shining brightly, almost straight behind 7029 “Clun Castle” (returning from Llandudno), but there wasn’t really time to find a better spot. One of those occasions where some thin high cloud would have made things easier. Nearly an hour later, 34052 was homeward-bound near Battlefield. It was on time, so I can’t complain, but the sun was on the horizon. If it had been five minutes early…
34052 “Lord Dowding” (he’s really 34046 “Braunton”), in action this morning near All Stretton. He’s hauling the “Welsh Marches Express” from Crewe to Cardiff, and going well. The train left Shrewsbury 4 minutes late, but by Marshbrook, just a few miles to my south, it was on time. No diesel on the back either. Sunshine, steam on – great!
Ironbridge: a short stroll after a day of heavy showers. This time last year it was under wraps. The wraps are off now – and that red paint really catches the sunshine (when the sun’s not behind the clouds) on this fine spring evening.
From Benthall Hall – out along the chestnut avenue and through the bluebell wood to Workhouse Coppice, then back through the woods above Ironbridge and the power station. Very pleasant!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366080&Y=302896&A=Y&Z=120
Don’t get me wrong – it’s great to see 6233 “Duchess of Sutherland” in action on the main line, on the “Great Britain XII”. But today she’s coasting, and the sun’s gone in. As the long train disappears under the bridge, we can hear the exhaust as the driver opens the regulator, and when a couple of service trains pass, not many minutes later, the sun is shining.
“While we’re out here, let’s go and look at the Central Wales – there’s a train due soon”. The former station building at Hopton Heath is no longer in railway use, but still looks good beside single-car 153 327 as it pauses briefly on its long journey to Swansea.
We’re on the level! It’s unavoidable, on this walk beside the canal and the mere (“The Mere”!) at Ellesmere, in Shropshire’s lake district. The sun tried, but gave it up as a bad job…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=340226&Y=334657&A=Y&Z=120
Back on the main line, after many years out of action, 7029 Clun Castle would be due through Wellington at 5.23pm. We got there in plenty of time – just as well. Having passed through Shrewsbury on time, it came through 6 minutes early – coasting, blowing off, and looking good…
As in “round the lake” – a short stroll with the camera on a warm late April afternoon. It’s busy (overflow from the bank holiday?) – we won’t stay long.
Friday 19 April: After the excitement of Rubha Hunish, a quiet hour or so down by the pier at Uig. The ferry departs for the outer isles, and a working boat ties up.
Rubha Hunish: the northernmost tip of Skye. We could see it yesterday, over to the west. It’s a fine morning, and if I get there soon, I should be able to park the car without trouble. Without a doubt, it’s the only way to beat the hordes. The walk to the cliff tops (Meall Tuath and Meall Deas) overlooking the Hunish peninsula is becoming popular, but not all visitors are prepared to take the precipitous route down the cliff face. The peninsula itself is wonderful – gentle grassy slopes 50′ – 100′ above the sea, with superb coastal architecture along the east side – stacks, an arch – fine views and the sound of nesting seabirds. The views, admittedly, could be clearer – it’s been hazy all week, and we’ve barely seen the outer isles. But it’s great here – just me, the gulls, a few gannets, cormorants and – was that a golden eagle?
As I approach the cliffs for the scramble back up, there are one or two figures on the headland, by the bothy, and as I make my way back along the path, I meet an eclectic cross-section of humanity. Some respond to my greeting; others look straight through me. Did I fall off the cliff and perish? Am I a ghost?
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=141529&Y=875608&A=Y&Z=120
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