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…

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It’s a bank holiday: we’re staying close to home… On this warm afternoon, Benthall Edge might be pleasant, and the orchids should be out in the scrubby woodland near the hall. It was – and they were!

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The Met Office says so anyway. It doesn’t feel especially summery at first, but the sky’s clearing and it’s getting warmer by the time we get back to the car. The hedgerows are full of summer flowers too, so it must be true!

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…along Shirlett Lane on a mid-May evening, for a breath of fresh air. It’s quiet along here, apart from the birdsong, and who could possibly complain about that?

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It’s not actually raining, but there are spots in the breeze from time to time. We’re walking around Colemore Green – starting out near the old Astley Abbotts school, past Boldings Pools, down through Chestnut Coppice to the old railway track, then back up to the little wayside shop (we’re out of marmalade!). Under a grey sky, today’s interest is in the detail.

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When the light’s like this, it’s against the law to stay at home. Familiar territory, exceptional illumination!

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