Category: Shropshire hills

Following a new path

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Rights of way are not, it would appear, set in concrete (far from it – it was distinctly wet underfoot today) – this one has only recently appeared on the Ordnance Survey map. On the ground, the signs describe it as a “Restricted Byway”. It’s fairly obvious that the route has existed for a long time – through the woodlands, and the wonderful green road as we descend.  It makes possible a very pleasant circular walk, between Shirlett and Muckley Cross (I’ve added a lead-in to the circle in order to park the car somewhere sensible). It’s fine, dry, bright but cold afternoon, and there are one or two early signs of spring – the trees are full of twittering birds (blue tits, great tits – teacher, teacher, teacher – and robins galore). There are one or two daffodils out, and in places the hawthorn is greening rapidly – much too soon, I suspect. Is there a chance of snow later in the week?

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=364774&Y=296785&A=Y&Z=115 (not yet shown on 1:50,000 map)

Tautology on the Mynd

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

No, nothing to do with the once-popular pets – in fact we kept up a pretty good pace (these new boots must have belonged to Mercury; happily their wings are invisible to mortals). We were walking an 8-mile circuit from the Cardingmill, out via Cwm Dale and Batch Valley – which might roughly translate as “Valley Valley” and “Valley Valley”. Nomenclature notwithstanding, it’s a very pleasant route, which takes us to the Mynd plateau and an easy stroll to the highest point at Pole Bank. The days are getting longer, but so were the shadows as we approached the top, so the photos must end there…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=343855&Y=295086&A=Y&Z=120

January skies

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks1 Comment

We’re out on Brown Clee, enjoying some drier weather, though it’s very wet under (and at times, in) our boots. There was a spot of light drizzle too, early on (the 0.1mm threatened by the forecast) but we coped. Once on the ridge, all (extremely minor) discomfort was forgotten as we took in the drama of the skyscape and the misty distant border hills. What a great place to be on a day like this! It’s a shame to have to come down again, but the hours of daylight are short.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=359990&Y=286571&A=Y&Z=120

Mynd – or mountain?

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks5 Comments

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

Shirlett in December

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks1 Comment

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.
Map

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366365&Y=297016&A=Y&Z=120

Stretching the legs: Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

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.

Map

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