The fine cold spell continues: this afternoon we’re walking from Benthall Hall, along the lanes to Wyke, thence to Benthall Edge via the Vineyards, completing the circuit on muddy field paths. The air temperature may have been around 5-6C, but in the warm sunshine (which the new lambs at Wyke appeared to be enjoying) it felt like early spring.

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A cold day on Brown Clee… Apart from a brief look to the west near the Five Springs, we’re staying on the eastern side of the hill. There, we’ll be largely out of the icy wind. Boyne Water is frozen over, there are some interesting displays of ice sculpture where streams run down the hillside, and the tracks are quite slippery in places. The wintry sky begins to clear late in the afternoon, moments before the sun sets – too late!

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A walk on the far side (we try not to cross the river too often – it’s a strange and different world over there) – through Rindleford and up the stony-sided valley of the Worfe, returning along quiet lanes and the hamlet of Bromley. Not always an easy walk – many of the surfaces are hard-frozen and slippery – but it’s pleasant out on this fine and mostly sunny afternoon.

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Out and back along Shirlett Lane. There was a light fall of snow overnight, but by the afternoon it’s mostly melted. The sun came out eventually – could have done with it a little sooner.

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There’s a lot of weather around this afternoon! Clear air, an icy breeze, bright sunshine followed by some darker cloud, distant snow showers – and it’s great to be out on the Hope Bowdler hills. They’re no great height but they provide a wonderful viewpoint for the surrounding country, with some extensive views. We can see the Brecon Beacons, more than 50 miles to the south-west, and the snow-topped Llangollen hills perhaps 40 miles to the north-west, beyond Chirk’s eye-catching chipboard factory. (We can also see Wolverhampton some 25 miles to the east, but we won’t go there, so to speak). On days like this, it’s a shame to have to leave the hills, but the sun’s dropping behind a huge cloud to the south-west. Time for home!

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Walking from Benthall Hall, via Posenhall to Arlescott, and back through Wyke and the Vineyards. The views to the west are extensive: there’s snow on the Berwyns and the Llangollen hills. Closer to home, there are new(ish) lambs in the fields by the Vineyards – a new season begins!

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None of them are big enough to call villages: Baucott is just a couple of farms, though Tugford has an ancient church and Broncroft a castle, no less (and little more). The spasmodic sunshine in the early part of our walk is pleasant; later we become aware that, though the sky above is mostly blue, it’s mostly cloud where the sun should be. The fields are sodden – this is a tarmac walk, along quiet lanes which are in part minor watercourses…

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An improving afternoon in the lanes around Church Preen. The trees are at their best against skies like today’s.

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