It’s too good to stay indoors, and one of us is out eating cakes this afternoon, so we’d better have a morning wander. A short stroll around Colemore Green and through (between!) the fishing pools should be pleasant. Just the faintest wisps of cloud, cool still air – perfect!

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=370950&Y=296805&A=Y&Z=120

Tuesday 7 February: There was a mist in Corvedale as we descended from the Rushbury road, but by the time we were parked and walking, it was merely a haze. The sky was clear blue, with just a tick of high, white feathery cloud – which gradually grew to provide with a remarkable skyscape as the sun neared the horizon. The deer were a bonus – we tried, but they weren’t for hanging around once they’d seen us…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=350995&Y=287750&A=Y&Z=120

A clear blue sky this afternoon… It’s rather hazy though. There’s been a hard frost, lingering in the shade, but there’s no wind and in the sunshine, it’s warm and very pleasant.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367510&Y=297955&A=Y&Z=120

…on Wenlock Edge. It’s not very long – just under four miles. Thin? A glance at the map reveals all. Our return route parallels our outward route, but outwards we’re in the woods below the Edge, and returning we’re on the Edge – there are views! There’s barely any sunshine today – until the last few minutes when the sun lights the fields on the eastern Edge, with Brown Clee for a backdrop

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=359200&Y=298505&A=Y&Z=120

Always a good thing! I’m wandering past Hurst Farm pools and around Aldenham on a fine breezy afternoon. The sunshine is coming and going (not always at my convenience), making for fleeting floodlit moments. Got to be quick this afternoon!

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=366825&Y=295595&A=Y&Z=120

They come in brown and black – the hielan coos, that is. The sheep are all black too. The goldcrest was an unexpected treat (sorry, no photos – he was never still for more than a second, but a pleasure to watch – and then a van came down the lane and frightened him away). A very pleasant wander around Much Wenlock, on an end-of-January afternoon that felt springlike (we’ll pay for it in February, I’m sure)

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=361625&Y=300175&A=Y&Z=120

Same start as yesterday, but heading towards the river. Towards the eastern end of the route, the path follows the edge of Birch Wood, which hides a steep drop down into the valley of Dean Brook (we won’t go there…). The path forms a T-junction with a bridleway from Linley to the Severn – I’ll turn right and head past Linley’s old church and across the field to Bould Lane, taking me back to the start.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=368700&Y=298920&A=Y&Z=120

A grey afternoon – need to take a closer look to find any interest…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367510&Y=297955&A=Y&Z=120

It was bright and sunny just minutes before we set out, but the drizzle soon began – very light, very fine. We weren’t getting wet, but the camera mostly stayed in its bag.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367365&Y=304060&A=Y&Z=120