a "what's new" guide to the whole of Geoff's Pages, and a selection of bits and pieces that never made it to the site
… but it’s all downhill from here: lots of rain to come during the next few days. It’s also mostly – and gently – downhill to the sheep field, a couple of miles along the lane. Beyond, it would be steeply downhill to the river (and we’d have to come back up again!), so we’ll pay our respects to the sheep, then turn back. As we return, the clouds are gathering – much more grey than blue now.
It’s there, just beyond the murk – trying hard but never quite shining. There’s barely a breeze, and it’s not especially cold – just right for a march around these quiet lanes.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367620&Y=297945&A=Y&Z=120
A shortie, taking advantage of some midday sunshine – a leg-stretch with the camera. It’s warmer today, very pleasant to be out. It won’t last!
…we’ll take a few photos. It’s very cold, barely above freezing – on the way out, we need to keep moving until we’re well warmed up. The forecast said there would be sunny intervals this afternoon, but despite some patches of blue sky, there’s no real sunshine.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365660&Y=298545&A=Y&Z=120
A circular walk from home on a bright and sunny afternoon, perfect for an interesting outing with plenty of variety. The sky is a subject in its own right today. At the Haycop a very cheeky robin is eager to pose for me. Later, the light is fading and becoming golden as we pass Benthall Hall and its picturesque little church. In a swampy pool nearby a crocodile lurks, waiting for its next meal. (I blame global warming)
Shirlett Lane again. A noted landscape photographer* said (in so many words) that what we’re really doing is photographing the weather. Certainly our surroundings look different compared with the last visit, and it’s all down to the sunlight, the air, the clouds and the wind. A puff or two of white steam or smoke, many miles away on the Welsh border, catches the eye. It’s the chipboard factory at Chirk!
* http://www.irenefroy.co.uk/
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365660&Y=298545&A=Y&Z=120
We could do this as a circular walk, but one leg (and therefore both feet) would be very muddy. So we’re doing it as an ‘out-and-back’, but varying the first part – out by the Fiery Fields, and back past the little toll house. It’s cold again, but there’s no wind, and the sunshine is bright.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367555&Y=300185&A=Y&Z=120
“Let’s see if we can get through to Red Lane”. It’s a few weeks since we last walked that way, and there’s been a drop of rain… If we’d been wearing wellies, it might have been possible. Perhaps in the spring – if we have another dry one.
For the next few weeks, we’re going to be walking in very familiar territory, within a mile or two of home… “Shirlett should be quiet.” It was, of course. There are one or two others out and about, but there’s plenty of space and fresh air up here. Let’s hope the weather stays dry!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365660&Y=298545&A=Y&Z=120
Monday: returning from Shrewsbury, we’ll pass the Cound road end. It’s cold, but it’s dry – we’ll stretch our legs around the quiet lanes. Someone’s lit a bonfire, but apart from those bright flames, there’s very little light this afternoon. No winter sunset skies today.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=356010&Y=304045&A=Y&Z=120
