… and a perfect afternoon for a walk along Shirlett Lane, down Round Hill, through the Smithies, and back up Ned’s Lane. Four weeks after the winter solstice, it feels as though the days are getting longer again.

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…but it’s going to cloud over, and it will rain (again!) later. And tomorrow. We’d hoped for better by now (let’s hope the year performs better than the weather). Anyway, if somewhat muddy underfoot in places, it’s a very enjoyable morning’s wander in the woods and the quiet lanes between Benthall Hall, Wyke and Posenhall (just a short stretch of busier road between the latter and the end of Benthall Lane, and I get the feeling than many must be sleeping off last night’s excesses).

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A short morning walk – it could rain later, but it should stay bright before lunchtime. I’ll set out across the Free Bridge, cross the river again by the memorial footbridge, then head down past the china works to Coalport Bridge. There’s some blue sky now, but I’m on the shady side of the valley and the sun’s not really trying anyway. Half-an-hour after I’ve arrived home, it’s raining…

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Just what’s needed after Christmas Day – a leg-stretch in the quiet countryside on the west bank of the Severn, just a couple of miles north of Bridgnorth.

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It’s still not raining! A short walk in the woods, on another breezy afternoon. It’s always pleasant up here on Benthall Edge.

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For the first mile and a third I’m on the surfaced lane from the Shirlett road junction. The views (when I’m not in the forest) are extensive – the Berwyns in Wales, the Malverns (just) – and there’s a steady breeze. Then I’m heading down Ned’s lane, along the very minor road through the Smithies and back up Round Hill – and down there it’s a different world, in more ways than one. Its certainly much less windy! After Round Hill, I’m retracing my steps to the start, and already the light is going. It’s been an very enjoyable wander in this quiet part of the world

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According to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the winter solstice was at 3.27 this morning (I was fast asleep – didn’t feel a thing!) – and there I was thinking it was on the 21st. On the basis that Midsummer Day comes a day or two after the summer solstice, it must be now be Midwinter – more-or-less. The days are certainly very short, especially if there’s no sunshine. I’m out trying to make the most of the afternoon daylight on this breezy afternoon, and despite the lack of the sun’s rays, it’s pleasant out in the local fields and lanes.

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The solstice is tomorrow:  I’m already looking forward to the longer days. They’re certainly short at present – it’s just after 3pm when I get back to the start, and I’ve put the camera away… It’s very quiet along the lane past the fishing pools, and out around the Aldenham fields, and very pleasant too.

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It’s a fine bright afternoon – mild, no wind. It’s good to be out on Nordley Common, then up Ned’s Lane and back down Round Hill, but if I’d realised just how muddy some of those fields and lanes were, I’d have stayed on the road…

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