Hopesay Hill and Wart Hill

On 05 Apr 2015 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks2 Comments

Hopesay lies in a side valley off the Clun valley – so quiet that it should have been listed with the latter’s “quietest places under the sun”. Its hill, owned by the National Trust, is an airy grassy ridge, adorned by a well-placed clump of trees. Wart Hill, immediately to the north of Hopesay Hill, is clad in forestry pines, which thin towards its top sufficiently to appreciate how good the view would be if they were all cut down… It’s Easter Sunday, but there are few others about – one or two walkers, a farmer tending his sheep. And, of course, the buzzards – and red kites (or possibly one red kite three times). One landed in a tree close by, a brief glimpse of colour before he was away again, too quick for the camera (or its operator…)

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=339460&Y=284065&A=Y&Z=120

Telford’s Northern Extension

On 04 Apr 201504 Apr 2015 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...Leave a comment

The railway, that is – Telford Steam Railway’s extension through the short tunnel to Lawley Village station opened today. The trains were the first ever to serve the station – it wasn’t there in BR days. See “First Train to Lawley Village” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for more information and photos.

Taking the train to Torpantau

On 30 Mar 2015 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways..., Video1 Comment

We’ve been for a ride on the extended Brecon Mountain Railway. It now runs from Pant to Torpantau, a few yards south of the site of the old standard gauge station. At just under five miles, it’s a good distance for a most enjoyable 2′ gauge train ride. Visit “Brecon Baldwin” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for more…

Black 5690

On 28 Mar 2015 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...Leave a comment

Jubilee “Leander” could be mistaken for a Black 5 – now in BR black livery as 45690, after years of LMS maroon – though the lines of a 5XP are perhaps just that bit finer than the slightly stockier 5MT. Whatever the colour or shape, and despite the dull weather, Leander made a fine sight and sound on Shrewsbury’s Battlefield bank this afternoon. (See also “Leander in black” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries)

Great Rhos and Black Mixen

On 26 Mar 2015 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Walks2 Comments

From the Shropshire hills, a great flat-topped dome dominates the southern distance – Radnor Forest (not a forest, though the hill’s northern slopes are well-covered with conifers). Prominent, with good eyesight or binoculars, is the (TV?) mast on Black Mixen. It follows that, given good weather, its views should be extensive and panoramic. We’d better go and find out.

It looks like one big hill – in fact it’s very nearly two – the deep and forbidden Harley Dingle (ammunition testing ranges!) almost bisects Radnor Forest. Great Rhos is the highest point (that’s the wrong word to use), at 660m (2166′), on the western side. It connects to the eastern Black Mixen (650m) by a narrow neck of land on the fringe of the forest. From the sleepy streets of New Radnor, the route is thus a high-level horseshoe, providing an excellent day out in this very quiet hill country (one other walker, and a distant horse-and-rider). There are more red kites than people. The views? Yes, as we imagined – a 360° panorama – hills in all directions. Wonderful!

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=319679&Y=262054&A=Y&Z=120

Shirlett – signs of spring

On 22 Mar 201522 Mar 2015 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

There weren’t many, it has to be said. There are a few primroses out on this fine afternoon, and one or two celandines – and in the last few yards, some lambs enjoying the sunshine. It was good to be out despite the cold air, though spring isn’t quite here yet, I think.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366365&Y=297016&A=Y&Z=120

Austerity

On 21 Mar 201521 Mar 2015 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways..., VideoLeave a comment

No, not today’s dreadful economic state, but a railway reminder of wartime – the 2-8-0 freight locomotives, built quickly and as cheaply as possible for service in the UK and abroad. The BR austerities were all scrapped, despite surviving until late 1967 – but one which never saw BR service survived – and this weekend it is visiting the Severn Valley Railway for their “Spring Steam Gala”. I thought I’d better go and see no. 90733 in action… Visit 2-8-0s on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for more…

Hazy day

On 18 Mar 201518 Mar 2015 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

The sun came out after lunch, but the day remained hazy. We’re walking through quiet back-roads, woodland and farm lanes, to Benthall Hall. It’s far enough to feel we’ve earned our tea and cakes – and far enough home again to walk them off…

Better weather

On 08 Mar 2015 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks3 Comments

It’s grey and damp today – but Friday and Saturday afternoons were positively springlike. There are few signs of spring, but the air is warmer, the breeze less biting. Friday’s wander was around Coalbrookdale, up and down through the woodlands. Yesterday was Wenlock’s turn, heading through the town, up past the windmill and along the edge.

Coalbrookdale:

Much Wenlock and the edge:

Liverpool

On 27 Feb 2015 By geoffspagesIn Photography2 Comments

Thursday: an interesting little outing, taking advantage of London Midland’s “Great Escape” offer within a fairly limited time scale. There was time to get from Lime Street station to the Pierhead, visit the museum, have a bite of lunch, and wander beside the Mersey. The grey skies were clearing rapidly, but we needed to head for home.

More photos (mostly rail-related) on Geoff’s Rail Diaries – visit http://geoffspages.co.uk/raildiary/greatescape.htm to see Lion and the Liverpool Overhead Railway…