We were here on Sunday, and we’re back for another look at the orchids, followed by a stroll through the shady woods

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The hedgerows are really colourful now, and the wild rose is blooming. Summer is here!

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We weren’t sure there would be many in bloom yet – but already there are hundreds, both in the scrubby woodland where they’ve been prolific for a few years, and in the beautiful buttercup meadows nearby. The orchids are our last objective this afternoon – much of our wandering has been in the pleasantly cool and shady woods along Benthall Edge.
We stopped at the usual chocolate seat in the woods, overlooking the old Patten’s Rock quarry and Ironbridge. I took the photo (below) but didn’t notice the deer  (centre bottom – little more than a speck) until I studied the photo on the computer screen…

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Lots of potatoes have been planted very recently in the fields around Willey. They’re not showing yet – there’s been no rain – so the clean-cut furrows are neat and pristine, revealing the rich red of the local soils. Beyond the spuds, we’re extending the route slightly – up Round Hill (where tiny damsons are already forming on the bushes) and back down Ned’s Lane. Everywhere is very quiet on this bright sunny afternoon.

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A late afternoon walk from Bedlam to Coalport, crossing the Severn four times en route. In the canal beside the old china works, the ducks are demonstrating the origin of the expression…

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They’re worth avoiding, along with the road traffic that seems to accompany them. We succeeded on both counts – very little traffic along the two or three miles to the start of this walk, and no-one else on the very quiet paths we followed this afternoon – up Round Hill, down Ned’s lane and around the sheepy pastures of Nordley Common. Most enjoyable!

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A favourite walk from Wenlock – down through Homer to Bannister’s Coppice, back past Seven Springs farm and up the old wagonway through Traps Coppice. It’s a pleasant route, much of it in woodland, where the garlic and the early purple orchids are past their best. As well as lots of sheep and tweeting birds, there are alpacas at the old mill (in their shelter today), a couple of deer in Bannister’s (fleeting glimpses – no chance of a photo) and, near the end, a family of Highland cattle, with one very recently-arrived new addition. The beautiful demoiselle (yes, ‘beautiful demoiselle’ appears to be what they’re called) posed very patiently; King Alfred’s cakes were infinitely patient…

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The old trig point in the woods at Hawthorn Bank is of little use now. It would have been a good place for the map makers to triangulate, but today’s view is strictly limited to trees no more than yards away. The woods are really quiet here – a perfect place of peace on a fine evening.

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The light nights are here! Perhaps ‘night’ is an exaggeration, but it’s great to get out in the evening after we’ve eaten, to enjoy some late sunshine. There’s lots of variety in the hedgerows; between the hedges potatoes are being planted in beautifully-sculpted ridges. The farmers are making the most of the light nights and fine weather too…

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