Just photos – no particular theme
It may be chilly, but the bluebells don’t seem to mind – they’re out in profusion in the local woodlands, with almost a full spectrum supporting cast – from the white stitchwort and palest pink lady’s smock, through the yellow dead nettle and the fresh greens in the woods, to the various blues of bugle, forget-me-not and the bluebells themselves – and still no shortage of violets, though they’re rapidly disappearing beneath everything else. Nothing red though.
A short wander around Bridgnorth – down to the Severn, where the geese and their goslings are basking in the sun, then up to High Town. A short sharp shower found us under the bridge near the top of Stoneway Steps – perfect timing! Bridgnorth is busy on a sunny Sunday – after a quick walk around the castle grounds and up the High Street, we’re back to the car and home, away from the bustle.
A quiet May Day afternoon in the Ironbridge gorge, enjoying the fresh air and the spring foliage
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=368847&Y=303061&A=Y&Z=120
Having made a plan, one should adhere to it… This walk was going to be “Callow Hollow and…”, but when we’d followed the route through the plantation to gain access to Callow Hollow, we looked at the descent, then looked at the steep but inviting ridge ahead – and continued up the hill instead. The good path which we joined on reaching the plateau gradually fizzled out, and we eventually gained the road after struggling through tussocky heather. There is, of course, an excellent track on the southern flank of Packetstone Hill, but I’d forgotten about it…
We had debated leaving jackets in the car – although the air was cold, the sunshine in Little Stretton was comfortably warm. We got this decision right – we were glad of them on top where, when the sun dodged behind the clouds (few and far between) the breeze became a bitter wind. Dropping down into Ashes Hollow, we were out of the wind, and the late afternoon sunshine was very pleasant.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=342505&Y=292436&A=Y&Z=120
Thursday: a waterside walk from Shifnal to Grindleforge bridge, near Ryton, following the Wesley Brook as it makes its way toward the Worfe – down the west side, and back up the east. It’s all very gentle country – we’re not in the Shropshire hills today. That may be a good thing – there’s only the lightest of breezes, and it feels warm in the fields – the shady wooded stretches come as a relief. Spring is really getting going now – lots of colour beside the path.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=374345&Y=305606&A=Y&Z=120
Not walking today – just enjoying the warm sunshine at Stokesay Castle. The swallows are building their nests in the ceilings of the ancient building, and over by the main road, a red kite is wheeling, almost at rooftop level.
Stokesay Castle (English Heritage)
A colourful day! Blue sky, with white puffy clouds. Red kites, a red grouse (who suggested we should go back), brilliant yellow gorse, brown (and white) sheep. And to follow all that, a trip to the Bog Centre for tea and cakes (we felt we’d earned them)
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=336379&Y=297990&A=Y&Z=120
AS promised, (a few) more photos of the little Davenport – and its somewhat larger companion – in action at Statfold yesterday. Visit The Davenport and the Plymouth on Geoff’s Rail Diaries.
What a contrast! We first met this little Davenport (US) 0-4-0 saddle tank in June a couple of years ago, when it was newly arrived at Statfold from industrial service (and a few years out of use) in India. Today it was in service, operating trains for the Industrial Railway Society, and looking rather smart in a clean black livery. Hard to believe it’s the same locomotive!
More photos will appear on Geoff’s Rail Diaries in a day or so.
Saturday afternoon: we started out up the eastern slopes, where woodland (despite recent felling) and the hill itself were sheltering us from the breeze. On top, that breeze was an icy blast – what a contrast after a balmy Friday evening. The view to the west was extensive – the Brecon Beacons clearly defined to the south-west, some 55 miles distant according to the toposcope on Abdon Burf – but we didn’t stay long, cutting back through the woodland edge at the col. Once we were just a few feet lower, in the lee, it was a warm and pleasant afternoon again – perfect for wandering slowly down through the estate and back to the car.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=359915&Y=286471&A=Y&Z=120
geoffspages.blog 