Just photos – no particular theme
There’s been a lot of rain in Wales over the last few days, and for the eastern part of mid-Wales, there’s only one way out – the river Severn. We walked down to Ironbridge this afternoon to take a look.
Perfect palindrome: has anyone noticed today’s date? In the UK it’s 22022022!
…it will be the first day of spring. Given the weather we’ve been ‘enjoying’ recently (three named storms in a week) it can’t some soon enough! We’re wandering the Willey lanes this afternoon for the same reason as last Wednesday – it’s sheltered from the wind and good underfoot. Where we leave the car, at the top of Scots Lane, it’s blowing half a gale, but in minutes we’re into a calmer land, and despite the storms, it’s remarkable how the early signs of spring are advancing. There’s lots more green on the hawthorn, some early primroses in Bould Lane, and dog’s mercury taking over the verges elsewhere. A week tomorrow…
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Rainy too! They’re putting up the flood defences in Ironbridge – the road’s closed, and pedestrians have to use New Road (we were going to go that way anyway) We’ve been to the top of Coalbrookdale – up via Jockey Bank and Orchard Lane, and over the top (windy here!) by the old White Horse, then down behind Coalbrookdale church. We’ll return by the Coach Road, then back beside the river. The rain has kept off, the sun has shone, and we’ve been out of the wind – mostly. A pleasant little outing – just as well, it’s going to rain again tomorrow.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367410&Y=304075&A=Y&Z=120
As well as the thousands of snowdrops, there are other signs of spring beside the Willey lanes. Celandines are starting to emerge, leaves are beginning to appear on the hawthorn, catkins are everywhere – and the sheep are learning new tricks!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367662&Y=298184&A=Y&Z=120
A misty, murky walk on the Long Mynd, starting from its northernmost valley, Gogbatch. We’re setting out a bit later than originally intended, to give the morning’s rain a chance to clear, and while it stays dry for the rest of the day, the views are hazy at best, with no sunshine. By the time we’ve eaten our lunch, the afternoon is wearing on, so rather than the highest point at Pole Bank, we’ll turn back at the Shooting Box, looping around to avoid too much retracing of steps. It may not be at its best on a day like this, but it’s still very pleasant to be out on these hills.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=344720&Y=296185&A=Y&Z=120
We did this walk a couple of weeks ago – Shirlett Lane, Ned’s Lane (muddy but it could be worse), through The Smithies and back up Round Hill. Like last time, it’s a cold afternoon; the morning’s sunshine has become very watery. Can I take a different set of photos?
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366240&Y=297950&A=Y&Z=120
Ironbridge on a mostly sunny (and rather cold) afternoon. As we approached the bridge, the clouds gathered sufficiently for a few spots of rain, but the clear skies beyond the cloud said it would quickly be gone. After a brief exploration, we head for home, back up the hill, under a clear blue sky.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367195&Y=302935&A=Y&Z=120
Walking in woodland, however pleasant it may be, would be a waste of a sunny day – but it’s not, it’s cloudy. We’re off to Comer Woods!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=374750&Y=289495&A=Y&Z=120
Bedlam is where we park the car! We’re walking up to Madeley, looking at some of the buildings which serve as a reminder of the area’s history. We head back past the All Nations, then follow the former railway track down to Coalport. The footbridge takes us back to the south bank, which we’ll follow through Jackfield before re-crossing on the Free Bridge and returning to Bedlam.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=368850&Y=303680&A=Y&Z=120
We need to visit Shrewsbury in the early afternoon – a visit to Attingham afterwards would be good. The snowdrops will be out! Nearby, the bothy is full of knitted people whose homes in the woodland came crashing down in the storms (apparently…). They seem to be having fun – there’s a tea party in progress. Out in the park, the deer have been having a party too – they’ve had their 3pm winter feed, and are now taking it easy.
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