A fine afternoon – how about Haughmond Hill? We haven’t been there for a while. There are some pleasant autumnal tints, a few interesting fungi (mostly kicked over) and great views to the south Shropshire hills. There are others about, mainly on the walk to, and at, the viewpoint. Elsewhere it’s quiet, just the odd dog-walker (and some who look fairly normal)

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We’re out on the hills, on this fine, bright and dry October day. The hills in question would have been the Stiperstones, to be followed by tea and cake at the Bog Centre. Disaster – it’s closed (earlier than usual) until next spring! So we’re starting at Bridges, a mile or two further east, for a walk up the beautiful valley of Darnford Brook, up onto Betchcott Hill, along the ridge of the Long Mynd as far as Shooting Box, and back down the track to Coates and the lane to Bridges…
…where, instead of tea and cakes, we’ll have to make do with Three Tuns beer and some excellent crisps. Disaster? Certainly not!

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It’s only a little one! We’re in Church Stretton for essential edibles (‘Entertaining Elephants’. It’s a shop!); afterwards there’s time for a short leg stretch – Carding Mill Valley, and a walk up to the reservoir. Bright sunshine, blue sky (with fluffy white clouds) and autumn colours – wonderful! It’s busy in the valley, but walk for just ten minute and they all vanish!

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The breeze picks up whenever I point the camera at anything flighty (leaves and the like). Fortunately the fungi (it’s their season now!) are much more down-to-earth, and pose properly. The only problem for me is getting down to their level. It’s a fine afternoon, and it was supposed to be sunny. It was sunny just a little further west – clear blue sky was tantalisingly close, but the cloud never cleared above Cound. Can’t win every time.

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A quiet 90 minutes in the quiet lanes around Willey – familiar ground, but none the worse for that.  Plenty of autumnal colour and some bright sunshine – just what’s needed.

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A couple of sunny hours on an otherwise cloudy day. Like yesterday, the air is clear and cold – the sunshine makes a world of difference. The clouds seem particularly clear-cut against the sky, there’s a kite wheeling just above and there are some interesting fungi here and there. Parasols are supposedly good to eat, and giant puffballs (which can only be mistaken for footballs, apparently*) likewise. I’d rather just photograph them and leave them to grow.

*https://www.wildfooduk.com/mushroom-guide/giant-puffball/

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There was a frost this morning… It’s still cool later in the day, but it’s sunny, calm and clear – perfect for a wander past Hurst Farm and down to Aldenham, and despite some heavy and ominous clouds, it’s stayed dry. Will it last?

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Black bryony berries in the hedgerow – a few are still green, others yellow or orange, but the great majority are red now. Eye-catching! Shame they’re poisonous. The leaves on the trees are turning too, and despite the sunshine, there’s a definite autumnal feel to the air today

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