…the sun will shine – eventually. We left home in the pouring rain, trusting in a weather forecast which proved correct. There was no point driving further up the Dhustone Lane though – Titterstone Clee was cloud-capped. We’d have to make do with the views from half-way up the lane – quite something after the last 48 hours. Happy New Year everyone!
A dry and bright day – we’re making the most of it before tomorrow’s forecast deluge. The same forecast gave us blue skies all day today – huh! The sun deigned to shine half-way through the walk, from a very low angle, putting some much-needed shape into the landscape. It was chilly, and windy – not a day for hanging around – but very pleasant, perfect for blowing away a few Christmas cobwebs.
In Welsh, the Long Mynd would be Mynydd Hir – Long Mountain – but we’re in Shropshire. About 10 miles to the north-west lies the Long Mountain. It’s in Wales. It’s interesting in the border country…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=342285&Y=295245&A=Y&Z=120
We needed a good leg stretch, but the field paths would be sodden – and it’s a bank holiday, so somewhere quiet would be good. And these lanes are quiet – only a few vehicles, mostly farm-related. There was a chance of some sunshine, but it passed. Grey days!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=353790&Y=297306&A=Y&Z=120
Done this one several times, usually in winter. Today the wind is rising, though there are some well-sheltered spots along the way on this mild afternoon, and apart from the wind, it’s quiet – no-one else around, apart from an angler or two at the pools.
The map is borrowed from an earlier visit – today I’m going anti-clockwise.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366365&Y=297016&A=Y&Z=120
Weather, mothers, and plumbers – they’ve all had an impact on our outings recently. We needed a leg-stretch, and the field paths would be muddy, so we took to the quieter paths and lanes away from the wharfage for a wander on a mild November afternoon.
The above is last month’s map – today we walked it anticlockwise… View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367255&Y=304041&A=Y&Z=120
It’s a wooded ridge, west of Wenlock Edge; beyond is the eye-catching Lawley. I’d only recently realised that this little bit of country is access land, and the Google satellite pictures appeared to show that the highest ground, with a nameless summit (304m) and trig point, had been cleared of forest. They had – but new growth is shooting up, and away from the taller trees, a thick undergrowth of bracken and the occasional bramble make the going slow. Not to mention the soft peaty ground and deep horseshoe-shaped hoof prints… We retraced our steps to easier walking back along the ridge towards Hoar Edge, before following the lane back down to the car. We’ll perhaps return for further exploration – in early spring, before the new season’s growth has begun.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=351550&Y=298548&A=Y&Z=120
Blue sky by lunchtime, with lots of nice wispy cirrus – an ideal afternoon for the hills? We drove out to Hope Bowdler, but the clouds regrouped (despite the forecast) and, by the time we arrived at the Battlestones, the mist was coming down. No return along the ridge today – we’ll take the lower path and keep the views.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=347905&Y=293531&A=Y&Z=120
That’s Coalbrookdale – and Ironbridge – a good place for a pleasant walk on a sunny afternoon, after a couple of rainy days. There’s no shortage of visitors in the vicinity of the bridge (it is half-term week, after all), but away from the bridge it’s quiet. The leaves are coming down rapidly now – the trees will soon lose their colour.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367255&Y=304041&A=Y&Z=120
One we’ve done many times – park at Aston Munslow, then follow field tracks and, in places, sunken and/or hidden ways, along the second of the Wenlock Edges. It’s higher here than the generally more obvious first edge, to the north-west, topping out at 324m – about 1063ft. There are autumn leaves, toadstools, blackberries (still), crazy pheasants, and fine views to the Clee hills and Mortimer Forest. The last downhill stretch into Munslow is particularly deep and well hidden; the surface is, in places, the rock of the Wenlock Edge.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=351160&Y=287706&A=Y&Z=120
Walking from Broseley to the Willey estates, via the quaintly-named “Honeypot” (a short row of houses). Another fine afternoon (we’ve been spoilt recently! – though it is getting cooler) with autumn colours and atmosphere.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367785&Y=300131&A=Y&Z=120
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