Weds. 9 January: a cold but bright afternoon. It’s far too good to stay indoors, and it’s been dry for a few days – we’ll head across the fields to Perkley and back. Shouldn’t be too bad underfoot. It’s wide open country here, at the northern end of the Wenlock Edge – with big skies…
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They’re welcome, after Christmas and New Year – it feels like we’re getting back to normal (whatever that may be). It’s very quiet up here, at the southern end of the Long Mynd. We’ve only seen two other people (but lots of sheep), and the weather is quiet too – not a breath of wind (nor any sunshine, contrary to the forecast). It’s also very cold, nevertheless it’s good to be out on these hills – an enjoyable start to the year.
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Carpe diem: this kind of midwinter weather is great – dry, bright, mild (with a cool breeze, it has to be said) – a day that must be seized. It’s quiet on the eastern side, as we ascend slowly towards Boyne Water; the breeze is stiffer to the west, but the views are much better and we’re well warmed-up. From time to time the sun shines strongly through gaps in the cloud – these are truly “photoflood days”. It’s too good to come down again, but the cloud’s building and the day is fading – we’d better head back.
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The days are short now – this one is grey too, and it will probably rain later, but we need a leg-stretch. Yesterday’s rain will have made the footpaths very sticky – we’ll stay on surfaced but very quiet lanes around the Smithies and Willey.
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Last day of autumn (meteorologically, but not astronomically)… And speaking of matters meteorological, it’s a fine and intermittently sunny afternoon (we’ll dodge the showers) – a walk from Barrow to Wyke will be just the thing!
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A very short walk for some fresh air, after a spell of rain and strong winds. The sky was blue when we ate our lunch, but more clouds gathered as we walked – the few spots of light rain made straight for the camera lens. The splendid crop of toadstools on a fallen tree was a bonus (I’ve no idea what they were).
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This afternoon’s bright sunshine might be the last chance we’ll get for a few days – we’ll have a leg stretch on Wenlock Edge. The sun is really low at this time of year, and by 3pm we’ve lost the best of the light, but it’s been very pleasant out here.
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It’s hardly a major watercourse, nevertheless it has carved itself a very attractive shallow but steep-sided valley, ideal for an amble on this bright but hazy afternoon. Heading back, our path overlooks the valley, with more extensive views the other way. Am I alone in thinking the Wrekin resembles Mount Fuji from up here?
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It’s another dry, bright afternoon – once again, too good for indoor duties. We’re off to Haughmond Hill, near Shrewsbury – the woodlands should be pleasantly late-autumnal, and the views to the south Shropshire hills will be good, though it’s not particularly clear today.
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Friday 2 November: it’s still half-term for the local schools, but the rules say the cafe closes at the end of October… At least the benches and tables haven’t been taken away, so we can sit for a few minutes and enjoy a small amount of chocolate, sufficient for the long pull back up the hill. The sunshine is very pleasant, but the day’s changing as we approach home.
