Tuesday 18 August: taking advantage of some evening sunshine after a drop of rain. “The Avenue” is the lane linking Benthall Hall to the main road; beyond, a rough track takes us to Benthall Edge. That’s far enough for today – there may still be the odd shower…
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We’re on the western slopes of Brown Clee, starting out below the hill fort and walking down the lane as far as Heath Chapel, a remarkable (grade 1 listed) little building dating from Norman times. Leaving the chapel, we head for Peckledy (a farm), from where a tree-lined track aims towards Clee St. Margaret. Beside the lane there’s much buzzing – a wild bees’ nest, which appears to have been robbed recently (the evidence is on the ground a few feet away).
Clee St. Margaret is distinguished by its unusual ford, where the brook runs along the road – and around the bend – before continuing its journey down to Corvedale. Our journey continues gently uphill, across the grassland below Nordy Bank and back to the car.
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A walk along the very quiet road through Shirlett, down Ned’s Lane, through the Smithies and back up to Shirlett via Round Hill. There’s plenty to see as the season moves along – today’s highlight being the pair of red kites which circled above us briefly (a photographic failure!), followed by the small blue posing just a little further on. Meanwhile, the harvest continues.
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This time yesterday it was almost 30°; today it’s barely over 20°. What a difference! The air feels cool, it’s still and humid – clammy in the shadier places – and we’d better not hang around, it’s going to rain later. The blackberries slowed us down significantly (we have to assess their quality for jam-making purposes), nevertheless, we were practically back to the start when the rain came on. One of these days, we’re going to get caught out – but not today!
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It’s a hamlet in the quiet country between the Wenlock Edge and the Stretton hills. It’s notable for its 16th century hall, apparently one of the earliest brick-built houses in the county. The views would be wonderful from its elevated position – but not today – it’s murky, and only just starting to feel warm as we return to the car. A very pleasant leg-stretch nevertheless.
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An evening stroll, where the air’s cool under the trees. Other than a bull serenading a cow in the field at the other side of the lane, it’s very quiet up here – no-one else about. It’s Saturday – perhaps they’re out enjoying themselves. Just like us…
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…before the rain. A warm, breezy afternoon – lots of cloud and the odd sunny interval – very pleasant for a quick wander.
On our return, as we approach the car, the first drops are falling.
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An evening wander, up Ned’s Lane and back down past Round Hill. There are thick tangles of wild hops in the hedges beside the road, and some of the bindweed and bramble leaves are decidedly warm-toned. A few low-dangling damsons (I’m thinking of jam already!) have been tested by several fingers already, but the fact that they’re still there means they need a little more ripening. Soon…
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In January, we walked over Nordley Common and down to Linley Brook, where what should have been a pleasant path beside the stream was more like a jungle assault course. Perhaps in early August it will be fit to walk? Yes, it is – though still quite muddy in places, it’s more like the enjoyable amble we’d expected. Varying our route a little now, we stop to watch four sheepdogs, who clearly know what to do and how to do it (see the YouTube clip below).
Crossing the main road again, Stocking Lane takes us to a quiet field path leading over the hill and back down to the start.
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A familiar route which we follow more frequently in the other direction. The weather forecast suggested the the showers would clear (they did!) but the sky would be heavy with cloud (those little dark grey symbols). Yes, that was true too – but with little gaps to let the sun through, spotlighting little details in the surrounding countryside.
The dragonfly (a black-tailed skimmer) was very good at flying off, further up the path through the barley, whenever I got almost close enough for a half-decent photo. They know, don’t they?
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