We leave the car and take the path across the field, cutting off the corner and avoiding the road. The corn has been harvested; just the stubble remains, and with it an eerie feeling that, with the crop, everything else has gone. The air is still, it’s very quiet – is anybody there? We continue via Harnage Grange, then, further along the lane, we take the path across the fields towards Kenley. There’s a secret world here, not visible from any of the roads nearby, and if it was quiet earlier, it’s even quieter now. Not even the sheep have anything to say.

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The weather, that is – not as warm as the past few days, but humid. The views are hazy and limited, but it’s pleasant enough on Nordley Common. The old way from Linley Brook to Stocking Lane is a delight, lined with trees and bushes (damsons galore!), and the inevitable brambles and sloes…

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It’s going to be warm again this afternoon – we’ll have a wander around Willey in the cool air of morning. It should be pleasant in the shade on Round Hill, and even more so as we descend slowly under the trees of Shirlett forest and head back to the start.

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Too warm to hurry (as if there’s any need…). We’ll walk gently up the rocky ridge, where there’s a shady corner for lunch. It’s getting really warm by the time we’ve reached The Rock, towards the southern end of the ridge, so we’ll return to the start through shady woodlands. Sadly, the Bog Centre is closed on Mondays – we’ll have to go to the Bridges Inn to refresh ourselves… Beer is best on a day like this!

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As seems to happen sometimes in September, the weather has changed – it’s warm and sunny, in contrast to the last two summer months. It will be pleasantly cool and shady under the trees along Benthall Edge

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Meteorologically, that is. Astronomically, we’ve got another three weeks or so. Around Willey, it looks and smells like autumn (even if the Met Office says we’re in for a few warmer days…)

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Butterflies! Dozens of them here, in and around the Wenlock Edge woodlands, posing for the camera in a most obliging manner. We’re enjoying a morning walk – the forecast said it would rain this afternoon (it did!). The blackberries are abundant too – I think a picking trip is likely very soon.

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A perfect afternoon for the Hope Bowdler hills. No great height, and no great distance to walk, but it’s bright and breezy, and the air is clear. To the north-east, when the sun catches it, we can see Jodrell Bank radio telescope – 51 miles away. Almost diametrically opposite we have a good distant view of Pen y Fan, highest point in south Wales – 54 miles to the summit. Needless to say, there are great views of the closer and more familiar hills. It’s a shame we have come home again!

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19 August: Remarkable cloudscapes around Colemore Green, on a pleasant evening. May’s crops (see Fields of Barley) have mostly been harvested; in places, the land harrowed. The many berries in the hedgerow are ripening, and the willowherb has almost finished. Autumn begins to feel close.

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