Category: Walks

Short walks with photos and a Google map.

Chase again

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

That’s Cannock Chase, of course. The forecast implied there would be more sunshine than we had before lunch; afterwards, things improved a bit. At least it’s not raining, and it’s generally dry underfoot too. We’d hoped for more autumn colours, and thought there might have been a good crop of toadstools… The visitor centre, half-way around our wander, is reliable for a simple snack lunch (bacon baps) – and it’s good to be out on a day like this.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=398540&Y=316611&A=Y&Z=120

Via Random

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

We’ve left the car at Cleehill village, and we’re heading for the spooky remains of industry on Magpie Hill. It’s a grey day, and the air’s cold – it’s also clear, with views extending to the Brecon Beacons. Recent rains mean that, away from good surfaces, there’s no shortage of mud, so today we’re mostly on hard-surfaced tracks across this remote hill country. The outward route takes us past the curiously-named Lower Random Farm, on what was once a mineral wagonway, disused for more than a century. Inevitably, the sun breaks through when we’re in the car heading homewards; unexpectedly, it’s raining (again!) as we near home.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=360620&Y=276546&A=Y&Z=120

 

Fungi in the forest …

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

… toadstools amongst the trees. Wednesday: we’re back in sunny (sometimes) Shropshire, taking a leg stretch on Haughmond Hill, near Shrewsbury. There are showers about – the trees might give us some shelter (it wasn’t needed). Around the fringes of the forest, there are some extensive views to the south Shropshire hills; within the woods, there’s a profusion of all kinds of fungus – one of the joys of moving into autumn.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=354275&Y=313911&A=Y&Z=120

No fairies…

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Skye, WalksLeave a comment

…the visitors have frightened them all away! Friday: a walk up to the Fairy Glen near Uig – with the emphasis on “walk”. The first time we visited this curious and fascinating landscape in miniature, we had the place to ourselves. That was perhaps getting on for 40 years ago – now it’s firmly on the tourist to-do list (remember to pack the selfie stick!). Driving up there is not to be recommended – parking is limited and potentially boggy, and then there are the adventure minibuses to contend with. But between the passing cars it’s quiet and a pleasant walk – and much easier to take in the scenery and the ambience.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=140635&Y=863337&A=Y&Z=120

Staffin shore and skyescapes

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Skye, WalksLeave a comment

Wednesday: it’s misty and damp here, on the western side of Trotternish (as seems to happen fairly often), but just a few miles away, at Staffin on the eastern shoreline, it’s much clearer, with the odd sunny spell. There are showers about, but we seem to escape them. We walk over the hill from Staffin to the slip and the beach (beware of minibus tours!), then along to the rocks, before heading back over the hill to the car, to drive around the coast to the fog and gloom.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=149128&Y=867796&A=Y&Z=115

 

Balmacquien – stacks and caves

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Skye, WalksLeave a comment

Tuesday: Port Gobhlaig. We’ve walked many times from here, following the shoreline northwards to Rubha na h-Aiseig. Today we’re starting from the same parking place, around the other side of the bay and up onto the cliffs, above a wonderful selection of stacks and the odd cave or two, to end at the old RAF radar station high above Bagh nan Gunnaichean. Returning, we follow the main (single track) road as far as the Balmacquien lane, which takes us back to that little white house out on the point, from where we retrace our steps to the start. What a spectacular stretch of coastline!

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=144210&Y=874345&A=Y&Z=120

Jam tomorrow

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

…or perhaps in a week or two. Wednesday 11 September – a walk near Much Wenlock, armed with bags for the blackberries we hope to find on our way. It’s a breezy big-sky day, good to be out, and there’s no shortage of fruit, even if we have to brave the scratches and the nettle-stings. The jam will be worth it, perhaps not just yet – the berries (just under 4lb) are in the freezer, waiting for a couple of days when we’ve time for boiling, sieving and boiling again. It needs to be soon though – we’ve just finished the last jar from 2018.

 

Early Autumn on Brown Clee

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

The Met Office’s autumn starts on 1 September – summer’s over! It certainly feels like it today – there’s warm sunshine in-between the clouds, and the lightest of breezes, which is just as well, as the air’s cold. Perfect walking weather, of course, and once we’ve left behind the dog-walkers, there’s hardly anyone else up here. The views to the east are extensive, but unexciting,  as we ascend gently. The views to the west, once we’re on the summit ridge, are also extensive – and much more interesting. Line after line of hills stretching out to the limit of visibility, perhaps 40-50 miles – yes, it could be clearer, but we’re not complaining…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=359855&Y=285941&A=Y&Z=120

 

Woodland creatures

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

It’s too warm for anything energetic, and it will be wise to keep out of the sunshine. A walk from Benthall Hall could be just the thing – we can find shady ways to the dense woodland of Benthall Edge. Who knows what there might be lurking in the shadows? Oh look, there’s a little old man of the woods!  Someone has made this tiny chap, and left him on a tree stump to enjoy the passing scene. A little further along the path, another tiny local resident scurries across the path, freezing in the leafy undergrowth for long enough to have a camera pointed at him. There must be thousands of little rodents in these woods, but how rarely we see them.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366182&Y=303068&A=Y&Z=115