Munslow Mud

On 18 Jan 2015 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks2 Comments

Saturday afternoon: we’re out on the Wenlock Edge, enjoying some winter sunshine. There was a moderate sprinkling of snow at home – perhaps there would be a bit more up on the edge? No such luck – just an occasional dusting to prove we were in the same county. Sadly, one or two short stretches of the (public foot)path have been deeply churned by tractor tyres and are almost unwalkable. In fact they are unwalkable. The only progress that can be made – very cautious hedge-hanging, slithering and clambering out of one rut into another – cannot be described as walking. We’ve walked these same paths and tracks in previous winters, and one or two stretches can get a bit sticky, but now they’re seriously damaged. (Did the local farmer get a new tractor for Christmas? One of those really huge, heavy monsters that completely fill the lanes? I hope it came with a rut-filling attachment…)

Calm before…

On 08 Jan 201502 Feb 2015 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

…the high winds and heavy rain, forecast for tomorrow. It wasn’t completely calm today – there was a light breeze, and it was pleasant to be out in the country to the south of Shrewsbury. Lyth Hill is a tremendous viewpoint for the Shropshire hills – it’s also a popular spot for the dog-walkers. We left them behind as we descended towards Exfords Green, past the venison farm. By the time we got back to the car, the day was changing…

Or view OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=346640&Y=306321&A=Y&Z=120

Winter sun

On 30 Dec 2014 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

There was still evidence of Saturday’s snow showers on the Stretton hills. We should have been out enjoying the conditions on Sunday, or yesterday, but other transport arrangements got in the way. No such problems today, and once again, the sun was bright and the frost hard – the mud on the path to Hope Bowdler was well-frozen. It’s the walk we did in November (“To the Battlestones“), though today we started from the parking space below the Gaer Stone. Most enjoyable it was too!

More wandering – to the river and back

On 23 Dec 2014 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hillsLeave a comment

Another leg-stretch with the camera, this time down to Jackfield and along the old railway track as far as the cooling towers, then up onto Benthall Edge and back across the fields via Benthall Hall.

Wandering

On 19 Dec 2014 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills1 Comment

I wasn’t certain where I was headed when I set out with the camera – perhaps the higher ground with a view to the west? There’s not much light at this time of year – some strong sunshine would have been good, but the clouds generally got the better of the sun. A cool and stiff breeze too, to blow away the cobwebs…

Clear Skies over Clee Burf

On 03 Dec 201403 Dec 2014 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks1 Comment

A cloudless (almost) blue sky – bright sunshine, no wind and frost on the ground. Domestic duties will have to wait – we’re off to Clee Hill again, walking up to the radio mast (not quite a scenic highlight) on Clee Burf. The light becomes warm as the air grows colder, and we’re back to the car just minutes before sunset. It’s great to be out on afternoons like this.

Or view OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=358500&Y=284901&A=Y&Z=120&ax=358625&ay=284851

Another afternoon on the Mynd

On 25 Nov 2014 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Monday: the weather’s too good to stay indoors (and it can’t last) – we’re wandering on the Long Mynd, making the most of what little light there is in late November. The steep hillside path takes us quickly up into the sunshine, and by the time we’re coming back down Mott’s Road, it’s almost gone. Instead of the heavy clouds that shaded us yesterday, there’s lots of wispy cirrus, much of it forming from jet trails. And instead of that biting wind, there’s just a gentle breeze. Perfect!

Caer Caradoc, The Lawley and the distant Wrekin

Or view OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=343240&Y=294746&A=Y&Z=120

To the Battlestones

On 23 Nov 2014 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks2 Comments

We did this walk, more or less, this time last year – more or less. Late November is good on the Hope Bowdler hills, or perhaps it’s the other way round. A stubborn bank of cloud limited the sunshine on the ridge, though there was plenty of sunlight in the distance, and the wind was biting, briefly carrying a light shower of rain (that wasn’t forecast!). We sheltered, more from the wind than the rain, behind the Gaerstone for a few minutes, before descending the last of the ridge as the sun dropped.

Flounder's Folly and (50 miles distant) Skirrid Fawr

Or view OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=347350&Y=293596&A=Y&Z=120

Green Fields of Morville

On 15 Nov 201415 Nov 2014 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

A walk from Morville to Hurst Farm pools – out along the quiet lane to Haughton, back down the (public footpath) drive from Aldenham Park. There had been some heavy rain overnight – field paths would be hard going, so we stuck to known good surfaces. The grey skies had cleared by lunchtime – the afternoon was fine, bright and sunny – and surprisingly warm.

Or view OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367370&Y=295321&A=Y&Z=120

Mist in the valley

On 09 Nov 2014 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills1 Comment

We were driving homewards, between Clun and Craven Arms – when suddenly (so it seemed) the fields by the river were full of mist, lit by the setting sun. Within minutes, the sun was behind the clouds – if we’d left five minutes later the scene would have been very different.