Category: Photography

Just photos – no particular theme

Into the woods

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

A short walk from Ludlow. We’ve parked facing the well-known view of the town, with the castle and church prominent against the backdrop of Titterstone Clee. A cloud is casting deep shade over the castle, though the rest of the town is floodlit. Perhaps on our return?

Our walk takes us a short way along the old A49, then up to the woodland past Hucksbarn and Starvecrow. There are some fine views on this clear afternoon – until we enter the woods, by which time the cloud has thickened and the sunshine gone. There are thick plantations of conifers at first, but as we descend towards Ludlow the woodland becomes more varied and interesting.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=350060&Y=273470&A=Y&Z=120

It’s never dull at Statfold

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...Leave a comment

Even when the weather is gloomy… Today was the first of this year’s open days at the Statfold Barn Railway. The March event can be really great for photography if the sun shines – but apart from a few minutes when the sky was (partially) blue and the sun shone, the weather was unremittingly dull. At least it didn’t rain. There was plenty of interest, and lots going on – and a real eye-opener in Oak Tree shed. A “Rail Diaries” page will appear tomorrow or Monday – in the meantime, here’s a taster.

Rhubarb and Spanish

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...1 Comment

Wednesday 21 March: If, as a child, I’d had a threepenny bit (3d, that is, not 3p) to spend on sweets, there was a fair chance that the selection purchased would include a piece of “Spanish”. That’s what we called liquorice, and though its origins might well have been Iberian, the sweets were probably made in or around Pontefract. Just a little way to the west is Wakefield and the “Rhubarb Triangle”, still notable for its forced rhubarb. Today, armed with Northern Rail day rover tickets, we’ll be travelling around the area of rhubarb and Spanish. It’s a “Rail Diaries” outing – a web page will follow shortly…

I’m on the train

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...1 Comment
"Bellerophon" leaving Bewdley
“Bellerophon” leaving Bewdley

A visit to the Severn Valley Railway’s spring gala, on the one day that’s likely to be springlike. Just for a change, I’m on the train, though there are some photographic opportunities. Here’s a taster – a “Rail Diaries” entry will follow in due course.

Not yet…

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

Mid-March – any signs of spring? Very few – just a couple of hawthorns with a few buds opening (and possibly wishing they hadn’t), otherwise, the trees are still very bare. We’re walking to Benthall Hall, returning past the bluebell wood. Their green shoots are coming up, but we’re several weeks away from the flowers. At least the days are getting longer – it will get warmer.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365865&Y=302501&A=Y&Z=120

Nesscliffe and The Cliffe

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

The road through Nesscliffe village is much quieter since the A5 bypass opened, though up on the hill the traffic noise from that bypass is somewhat intrusive. As we wander on around this little group of low sandstone hills, away from the road, the sound fades. It’s quiet here – although the afternoon is dry, it’s grey and gloomy, and there are few others about. Nesscliffe Hill is wooded, with few viewpoints; The Cliffe is more open, and though of insignificant height (157 metres – that’s 515 feet) the views are extensive. That is, they would be, on a clear day…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=339110&Y=320151&A=Y&Z=120