We walked down to the Severn, using paths through the woodland where possible, then along past Craven Dunnills and the site of the land stabilisation work. It’s a mess at present, but no doubt, once the work is complete, the vegetation will soon grow up again. There’s a cup of tea and a cake in the café at Maw’s, before we cross the memorial footbridge and walk beside the canal, then up to the old Coalport railway track to take us to Coalport bridge. Back on the south side, we follow the old Severn Valley railway trackbed.

We’d intended to walk back to Coalport and up the dingle (that’s the route indicated on the map below) but, just a little way before we would leave the railway route, there’s an entry into the woodland to our left, and a sign to the effect that walkers are welcome to wander in the woods. Perhaps we can take a shortcut through to the top of the dingle? The path is clear at first, but gradually fades, until we’re picking our way through dense undergrowth and following nothing more than a sense of direction. An animal started in the woodland below – the size of a large sheep. but it wasn’t a sheep. A muntjac? Gone before we had a clear view.

We found our way out, further down the dingle than I’d expected. An interesting exploration; not a short cut…

A gentle stroll from the NT car park in Cardingmill valley – up to and around the reservoir, then to the Lightspout waterfall by the high level path. Iron pipes, visible in places along the route, suggest that the path dates from the construction of the reservoir, the pipes feeding extra water from the Lightspout Hollow. We climb up beside the waterfall (there are steps…) and onto the moorland beyond. Descending Mott’s Road brings us to the pavilion in nice time for tea and cake…

Three dales accompany the Wenlock Edge – Corve Dale, to the south-east, is named after its river; Ape Dale to the north-west has its brooks, but is more a natural gap between the edge and other hills than a valley as such. Hope Dale lies in the middle, between the twin escarpments of the edge. In Hope Dale, towards Wenlock, there’s the hamlet of Easthope. Westhope is further to the (south) west, oddly enough. And in the middle (of the middle) is Middlehope. It’s not very big, but surely it’s better to travel and to live in (Middle?) hope? (Enough!)

This was a pleasant walk on a pleasant afternoon. The farmers are getting their crops in, making the most of the dry weather. The colours are beginning to look autumnal, there are blackberries and fungi everywhere (and one sweet, juicy damson).  It’s almost a shame to arrive back at the car, to travel hopefully towards home.

Barely four miles, this was a pleasant amble through less frequented country, where signs of the coming autumn gather apace. There are elderberries, sloes, hips, haws – and blackberries by the ton. Not physically in the way, their presence nevertheless delayed our progress, as stained fingers will testify.

It’s almost that time of year, when the hedgerows are full of blackberries, and assorted toadstools begin to appear. The farmers are busy too, making the most of a (mostly) dry day. We did this Wenlock Edge walk earlier in the year – clockwise. The views are subtly different in the opposite direction.