Out this afternoon with a friend who wanted to take a look at the disused station at Linley – and out again this evening (the fine weather is too good to waste) for a wander around the Willey lanes. Lots of colour in the verges and hedgerows – truly, sumer is icumen in (though sadly, no cuccu)

View OS maps on Streetmap: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=370860&Y=297845&A=Y&Z=120 and http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367575&Y=298255&A=Y&Z=120

We walked this route in early March. Now it’s almost midsummer, and what a difference! The weather’s different too – bright and breezy then, with lots of sunshine. The June sun is reluctant to come out from behind the clouds, but the hedgerow flowers are out in profusion. Despite the lack of sunshine, it’s a colourful scene

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=356005&Y=289605&A=Y&Z=120

…it was hard to believe the weather forecast. It was correct though. Yesterday’s clear blue sky and warmth (27C by mid-afternoon, only a little cooler by mid-evening) gave way to todays rain, and temperatures in the low teens. What a difference!

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=365230&Y=297895&A=Y&Z=120

No need to fly to distant lands – these pyramids are orchids, reliably plentiful along this part of the Wenlock Edge in early summer.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=359215&Y=298296&A=Y&Z=120

It’s a fine still evening, perfect for a stroll. The air is heavy, and laden (I fear) with pollen, which is bursting forth everywhere…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=370730&Y=296845&A=Y&Z=120

On a fine June afternoon, we’re wandering through mostly quiet places. It’s not quiet where we have to cross the busy main road, but that only takes a moment. Although we only meet one other walker, there’s no shortage of sheep (as ever in these parts), there are lots of butterflies (though only one of them poses obligingly) and a tiny vole, truly a Tom Thumb, looking rather lost in the middle of the (very quiet) lane. Once we’ve recorded his presence, we relocate him to relative safety and wander on. Hope he appreciated our efforts!

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The sunshine is warm, but there’s a stiff breeze, which makes for a very pleasant day on the Shropshire hills. There are ponies in abundance, a red kite in the distance and canada geese in the pools behind Pole Cottage. And after all that excitement, we’re still in plenty of time for the tearoom in the Carding Mill Valley. What more could one want?

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Once again we’re tied up all day, one way or another, so we’ll have our short leg-stretch on this fine (but not as sunny as forecast) evening. Interesting things in and beside the fields and pools – the marmalade is recommended!

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It’s going to rain!

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It’s going to rain tomorrow – all day, with the possibility of thunderstorms. It’s trying to be dry this afternoon – we’d better get out there, for a quick walk around Willey and the Smithies – up Round Hill, down Ned’s Lane and back via Bould Lane and Britons Lane. Despite the wind, the interest is in the detail today – when it stays still…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367290&Y=298005&A=Y&Z=120