…and it will be spring, by the Met Office’s definition. It certainly felt springlike when I set out. There will be rain later – there’s been a lot of it recently. The fields are completely sodden, and refuse to accept any more water, so instead it’s running off down the roads. Despite the wetness, the signs of spring are everywhere – hawthorns leaves are brilliant green in the hedgerows, there are primroses and periwinkles (garden escapees?) and the blackthorn blossom is starting to appear.

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The days are getting noticeably longer, and the seasonal changes are becoming more noticeable. There are hundreds of snowdrops everywhere, the celandines are coming into flower, and up Bould Lane (it’s quite sheltered) hawthorn is coming into leaf. Plenty of time yet for wintry weather, but spring can’t be far over the horizon.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367575&Y=297830&A=Y&Z=120

…of February. The first crocus flower appeared in the garden today, the first celandines are appearing here and there, and in the fields (some distance from the path I’m on) are the first lambs I’ve seen this year. 2024 is gathering pace! Just a little sunshine now and then, not a breath of wind – once again, it’s good to be out on a fine day.

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That’s not the only reason – it’s a great place for an enjoyable walk, especially on a fine afternoon like this. The forecast said the clouds would clear – and they did, on schedule too.

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The sun’s there somewhere – it’s trying! There are a few patches of blue in the sky, but they never quite coincide with the sun’s position. Not to worry – it’s not raining, and it’s drier underfoot than it’s been for a while. I’m taking to the fields and unsurfaced tracks, down to Dean Brook and Darley, then past the Honeypot (yes, really!) to Willey. I’m on my way home now, heading over the hill to Deancorner and along the farm lane back towards the start. A pleasant afternoon – it’s good to be out.

 

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… 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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