Just photos – no particular theme
It’s open today, but there’s no-one at home… It’s one of those National Trust properties which are only open to visit on a few days each year. Today is one such – and, unusually, it’s empty, being between tenants (and undergoing a certain amount of conservation work and spring cleaning). Afterwards, there’s tea, coffee and homemade cakes in the church nearby – and the proceeds are for local funds, so everyone’s happy if we call in…
Bank Holiday Monday (again!) – we could use some fresh air, but we’ll need to avoid the hot spots… It should be quiet down by the river near Colemore Green. It was, too – apart from the inevitable cyclists on the old railway track (and the fishermen at the pools) there was no-one else around. It’s another dull grey day, and cold – some sunshine would have given the photos a bit more sparkle, but at least it’s stayed dry.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=371090&Y=297326&A=Y&Z=120
…or is it “Ne’er cast a clout”? Either way, don’t do it “till May be out”. Does the old saying relate to the May blossom – which is out – or the month? It’s certainly too cold at present to cast any clouts – but at least it’s stayed dry, and with light winds, it’s very pleasant up here on the Edge near Much Wenlock.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=361955&Y=300376&A=Y&Z=120
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!
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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…
