Like yesterday, we’re out in the morning – for the same reason. Rain’s forecast for the afternoon (once again, accurately). Some early mist is lingering, clearing only slowly, and there are some splendid sunbeams along the lane. No shortage of interesting fungi either – some old friends and some new surprises!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366240&Y=297950&A=Y&Z=120
Sounds great, doesn’t it? Catherton Common, then Silvington Common, but first, Cramer Gutter, appropriately the low point of a wander around this strange area to the north-east of Magpie Hill. Remains of old bell pits abound, and there are former squatters’ cottages everywhere. The paths are not always obvious, but the sheep seem to know where they’re going. Perfect for a cool, bright and sometimes sunny October afternoon!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=363165&Y=278911&A=Y&Z=120
We walked about 11.5 miles today – that’s roughly twice the usual distance, and we had two lunch breaks (plus an intermediate stop on a comfortable bench in St Giles’ churchyard at Barrow), so perhaps it works out at two good walks. I’m putting my feet up (metaphorically) this evening anyway. We’ve got to make the most of fine weather in this unsettled period – as I write, the rain is coming down yet again.
Following two thoroughly wet days, the clouds are lifting and we’re stretching our legs on the circuit around Willey and Linley Brook. We’re really into autumn now.
View OS map in Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367470&Y=298250&A=Y&Z=120
1st October: there will be showers this afternoon – perhaps we can dodge them? The next couple of days look like being rather wet, so we’d better make the most of today. We’ll hedge our bets with a route where there’s plenty of shelter… Sure enough, there are a few drops getting past the trees down Ned’s Lane, and a few more, with the sun behind them, along the Smithies lane. Otherwise, our luck’s still with us.
There are some truly splendid toadstools amongst the trees – some fine colonies of smaller specimens, and later we find some huge things like seriously-warped dinner plates. Some people would be able to put a name to them. Some would even eat them, I suspect. Not me!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366240&Y=297950&A=Y&Z=120
Tuesday 29 September: another day that’s too good to waste! We’re ready early, so we’ll take a mini-picnic and find somewhere suitable to eat it. Perhaps Pole Bank? Perhaps not – it’s crowded! (That’s a relative term. There were perhaps 20 other people, plus bikes, dogs etc) We’ll keep going! Our original intention was to walk to the Packetstone, out on the ridge between Callow Hollow and Minton Batch, and it was there that we found dry, if not especially comfortable rocks to sit on. A picnic place with a wonderful view!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=341830&Y=292570&A=Y&Z=120
From Black Pool car park, up through the forest to High Vinnals, then out across the top of Hanway Common and down to Richard’s Castle (or what’s left of it), partly in Shropshire and part in Herefordshire. We walked this way about 18 months ago, on a fine, bright spring day (see “High Vinnals and Richard’s Castle“). Today’s a fine, bright autumn day, and it’s good to be out once more on these hills. High Vinnals is no great height (375m / 1230ft) but it’s a wonderful viewpoint, offering a tremendous panorama of the Welsh border country.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=348480&Y=271266&A=Y&Z=120
It’s cold, dry and bright – might even get some sunshine! Once again, our walk to Wyke.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365265&Y=301021&A=Y&Z=120
That wasn’t the intention (honest!) – just a good leg-stretch on a fine, cold and breezy day. The pub is roughly half-way around this 10-mile circuit – a pint of home-brew and a pork pie (in the garden) being just the thing to propel us home again!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=368500&Y=302240&A=Y&Z=120
We were trying to spot the most likely dry spell in the weather forecasts, but we didn’t quite get it right… A passing shower makes us glad the trees are still in leaf while we shelter. It’s early evening, and sunset is approaching rapidly.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366070&Y=298060&A=Y&Z=120
geoffspages.blog 