That’s a description of the weather, and the photography… We’re walking around the lanes near Willey – after a rainy morning, the afternoon is warm, humid and mostly dry, just a few spots as we pass Lower Pool. We’re under the trees anyway, but the raindrops are speckling the otherwise still waters.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367620&Y=297945&A=Y&Z=120
A short stroll from Benthall Hall, through the fields and down the track to Workhouse Coppice. It leads us into and through the woodland of Benthall Edge, to return to the start along the lane past Benthall Hall Farm.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=366210&Y=302945&A=Y&Z=120
It’s not at all clear today – hazy in all directions – but it’s very pleasant walking along the top of the Long Mynd. There are others around, but only one other person at Pole Bank, where we’ll pause for a while to enjoy the (somewhat limited) view. There seem to be more ponies than usual – there are a couple of foals (one of which looks very young) so perhaps that explains it. And there are tadpoles in the pond!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=342535&Y=295210&A=Y&Z=120
It could rain – we might need an umbellifer… No shortage of them, of several varieties, in the lanes today. Lots of fried eggs in the hedgerow too (I think perhaps they may be wild roses…). A walk around the lanes from Willey, including Round Hill and Ned’s Lane – a most enjoyable outing for another grey afternoon.
View OS Map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367580&Y=297955&A=Y&Z=120
It’ll soon be midsummer’s day – it should be warmer! Later, the sun breaks through the clouds and the temperature rises a little. It’s comfortable walking weather anyway. The hedgerows around Kenley Ridge know it’s summer – there’s plenty of colour!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=356695&Y=301410&A=Y&Z=120
Friday 11 June: a walk from Llangunllo to Knighton, in weather that makes the landscape feel very soft and green. There’s dampness in the air, and for a time we have our waterproof tops on, but they’re hardly necessary. “We ought to see a red kite or two” – yes, we did! One landed on the fence, just about within camera range, and perched for a while (looking soggy and grumpy) before, with little more than a flap, gliding away, making the most of the lightest of breezes.
This is a walk of two halves – Wales and England (Shropshire). Knighton is a Welsh town, but its railway station is in England (just, a matter of yards). We leave the train at Llangunllo (Wales), and walk to the crest of the ridge of Wernygeufron, which descends very gently to the hamlet of Lloyney. There, we cross the river Teme to find ourselves in England again (at Llanfair Waterdine). A steady pull, steep in places, takes us up to Offa’s Dyke and another enjoyable ridge. Finally, a steep descent leads us down to the river once more. Walking downstream and eastwards, we find a sign: Croeso i Gymru – Welcome to Wales. Fifteen minutes later, a pint (of Shropshire beer, from Bishops Castle) is well-earned refreshment – croeso i gwrw! – welcome to ales…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=325225&Y=273636&A=Y&Z=126
Walking with the camera on a grey day, across the fields and along the lane to Wyke, then on to Benthall Edge. We’ll turn back at the chocolate seat and return through the woods to Benthall Lane and back to the start.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=365515&Y=302540&A=Y&Z=120
An hour with the camera, following quiet roads, lanes and paths through the fields, enjoying the summer sunshine.
The Severn is always cloudy by comparison with, say, a chalk stream, or the peaty waters of a highland glen, but at present they’re muddier than usual – must be all the rain… Speaking of which, it was supposed to rain all day, but we found a likely dry spell in the forecast, and enjoyed this short walk from Bedlam furnaces (car parking) up and over the hill to Coalbrookdale, and back through Ironbridge. On the riverbank is the shed where (we remember him well) Eustace Rogers used to build his coracles. Sadly ‘Eusti’ was the last of his line, and the shed is now a tiny museum, which can only be visited by peering through the glass window. Just below the world-famous Iron Bridge, here’s another fascinating little bit of history on an altogether more human scale.
Tributes paid to coracle man BBC News 10 February 2003
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367490&Y=304005&A=Y&Z=120
Starting from Willey (where the village hall’s new roof looks truly splendid) we’re heading up Scots Lane and down to St Leonard’s church at Linley, a quiet spot amongst the trees and bluebells. The sun’s gone behind the clouds as we return through Linley Brook, but it’s soon shining again. Raindrops land heavily minutes after we arrive home…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367870&Y=298325&A=Y&Z=120
geoffspages.blog 