… and first lambs! Colder weather is here, and today’s frost, the first of the winter, has lingered all day. We hadn’t expected the lambs at Harnage Grange though. The days are short – the sun is sinking over the horizon as we return to the car, and there’s a full moon rising.

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…around Cound. At least it didn’t rain on us. Brighter, but colder weather is forecast for later in the week – frost and sunshine. Things are looking up!

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After a misty, murky grey week, there’s some blue sky this morning, and we’re on our way out to enjoy it. It’s not going to last, but it’s good to be wandering around Hurst Farm and Aldenham on a day like this.

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Friday 25 November: Just over ten miles – an easy and pleasant day’s walk. Starting from Carding Mill Valley, we head for the Batch Valley, up to Jinlye, past Jonathan’s Rock and over to Betchcott Hill. Here, the weather forecast catches us out. Despite ‘sunny day’ symbols, and ‘<5%’ chance of rain, the clouds gather and an unexpectedly-heavy shower sweeps across. It’s enough to cause my companion to struggle into his waterproof overtrousers; inevitably by the time we’re moving again the rain is nearly past. We follow the path down Golden Valley (it wasn’t!) to the pleasant (if rather damp underfoot) path above Darnford Brook.

There’s nowhere dry to sit down for lunch – or is there? These knobbly (and very uncomfortable!) tree roots near Ratlinghope will do. Soon we’re heading uphill again, at first on the beech-lined road, then over Wild Moor to the Long Mynd ridge. That little froggy pool is full again! Lastly, down Mott’s Road (can we cross the brook without getting wet feet? Yes! We’ve made it!) to return to the Carding Mill Valley – where the cafe has just closed…

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A walk around the Willey circuit – there’s a chance of a light shower, but we need a leg stretch (we got both! – just a few drops)

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A morning walk, around and in Much Wenlock. It’s a fine start to the day, but there’s showery rain coming this afternoon, so we’re walking in the morning. At first a clear blue sky, then (just like yesterday) high cloud is spreading from the west, and the sunshine’s gone. An hour later, when we’re home and eating our lunch, the rain is pouring down…

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A sunny afternoon? Well, it was sunny for the first half-hour or so, but by the time we’d made our way up the steep lane to Meadowley, a veil of high cloud was beginning to hide the sun. No bright directional light now, though much of the sky remained blue with lots of lovely wispy cloud. No, not a sunny afternoon but a very pleasant one in this quiet countryside.

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Not easily! The old railway track into Chestnut Coppice shouldn’t be too bad – but fallen leaves have laid a sticky mulch on much of the way. There’s still some autumnal colour on the trees, but most of the leaves are on the ground. No need to look up to discover what trees we’re walking under.

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