It’s not quite the walk we’d intended. The bluebell wood path is blocked (we’ll take the detour, along the edge of the field), then further on Workhouse Coppice is, in effect, closed – both due to fallen trees. We’ll retrace our steps a little way and head for Benthall Edge woods, where there’s no problem. We’re entertained along the way by numerous songbirds – the usual suspects plus, on this occasion, a chiffchaff or two, and last of all a yellowhammer. He’d love some bread, but isn’t too struck on cheese, apparently.

Chiffchaff, robin, wren, thrush, wood pigeon, blue tit, yellowhammer…

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Last time I tried to walk through the sheep pastures up here, about 15 months ago, the mud did its best to stop me. I suspect it’s been quite muddy ever since, but the recent dry weather made it worth a retry. Yes, soft in places but not a problem. On this fine morning – the vernal equinox, no less – it’s very pleasant up here, and (dare we say it?) comfortably warm. No hats, scarves, gloves, thick winter jackets today!

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Aston Munslow: a walk up to the Wenlock Edge, the crest of which is over 1,000′ in these parts. It clearly catches the wind – December’s storm Darragh has done some damage. We’ll have to revise our route. Diversions notwithstanding, this is a great place to be on a fine and sunny afternoon. The views across Corvedale are extensive, taking in the Clee hills and Mortimer Forest, beyond Ludlow. There’s a real sense of space up here – and we’ve got it all to ourselves!

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The Met Office has thought so since the beginning of the month; astronomically it begins on Thursday. Today it felt really springlike, despite an early frost – clear blue sky, warm sunshine. A couple more ‘firsts’ – coltsfoot and violets. There will be more!

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We last walked this way back in July, when the Wenlock Edge was a colourful place to be (see The colour of July). It’s not quite as colourful in mid-March, though the occasional patch of primroses brightens things up. Then a few spots of bright red catch the eye – a fine display of elf cups on a rotting log. Almost back to the start, there’s a very different fungal growth (not quite as eye-catching) – a cluster of black blobs – none other than King Alfred’s cakes.

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Flowers before leaves… Another welcome sign of spring beside the quiet paths and lanes near Colemore Green

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Another fine, sunny and springlike afternoon – and a walk from Benthall Hall, via Posenhall and Wyke, to the Benthall Edge woods.

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It’s a fine sunny day too. Not that there are many signs of the changing season. No daffodils for St David’s day. No new green on the hawthorn either, but there’s dog’s mercury beside the old railway track (it’s not very photogenic). Leaving the railway, we walk up through Chestnut Coppice, where the bluebell leaves are emerging. There’s much evidence of December’s storm Darragh – many fallen trees. At least the path has been cleared.

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Last day of winter, according to the Met. Office. Spring may begin tomorrow, but there’s less sign of it than at this time in the last few years, and it’s cold out of the sunshine.  It will be St David’s day too, but the daffodils will have to get a move on. There’s plenty of blue sky though, and big white fluffy clouds, one of which seems to be shading us for most of our short walk along Shirlett Lane. Good to be out though, and greatly preferable to rain and murk!

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Once again, they sound like rather stuffy old solicitors! We needed to call briefly in Church Stretton, and the afternoon is much too good to waste. It’s very wet underfoot after overnight rain – we’ll follow quiet surfaced lanes (themselves running with water!) into the hill country to the south-west of Hope Bowdler. Like our walk on Yell Bank a couple of day ago, it feels like we’re walking on top of the world on these roads.

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