Short walks with photos and a Google map.
We’ll start with blue – the year’s first bluebell, and end with white – the first stitchwort. In between, a wander through Chestnut Coppice, down to the riverbank, back up to Colemore Green, along the road and back to the start past Boldings Pools.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=371205&Y=297260&A=Y&Z=120
…and he’ll still be around tomorrow, I expect. We’re walking from Wenlock, out to the derelict farm at Perkley and back. We’ll stop for a minute or two at the chocolate seat. “Look, there’s a hare!”. A minute or so later there was another, neither of them in any hurry. Then, as we approached the field corner, we saw one heading back towards us. Stay still and quiet… He paused and posed just yards away, then a few seconds later (ears down now!) took off like a rocket. A moment to remember!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=361430&Y=298891&A=Y&Z=120
There’s no hurry, and the sunshine is warm… It’s a day or two since we had a proper leg stretch – we’ve spent too much time sitting in cars and train. Dudmaston will be perfect!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=374895&Y=288830&A=Y&Z=120
It certainly was on this fine and sunny afternoon. It’s almost four miles around the perimeter of the park, and there’s plenty of interest en route. The sticky horse chestnut buds are swelling and bursting, there are deer in the park, a chaffinch is enjoying some sunflower seeds (and posing for the camera) and the ducks are having fun in their pond. Can’t go wrong on an afternoon like this!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=355120&Y=310060&A=Y&Z=120
Not far from Wenlock – Stretton Westwood and Bourton Westwood, a few houses and a large farm respectively. There’s not a cloud in the sky – it would be criminal not to be out enjoying the quiet countryside on a day like this. Starting from the old quarry beside the Church Stretton road, we head up the farm track and over the Edge, descend to the field path past Bourton Westwood, and return to the start down the lane and through the old quarry. This is the lesser-known edge at this end of the double escarpment – there’s no-one else about. What a pleasant little outing!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=360205&Y=297680&A=Y&Z=120
It’s not quite the walk we’d intended. The bluebell wood path is blocked (we’ll take the detour, along the edge of the field), then further on Workhouse Coppice is, in effect, closed – both due to fallen trees. We’ll retrace our steps a little way and head for Benthall Edge woods, where there’s no problem. We’re entertained along the way by numerous songbirds – the usual suspects plus, on this occasion, a chiffchaff or two, and last of all a yellowhammer. He’d love some bread, but isn’t too struck on cheese, apparently.
Chiffchaff, robin, wren, thrush, wood pigeon, blue tit, yellowhammer…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=366070&Y=302595&A=Y&Z=120
Last time I tried to walk through the sheep pastures up here, about 15 months ago, the mud did its best to stop me. I suspect it’s been quite muddy ever since, but the recent dry weather made it worth a retry. Yes, soft in places but not a problem. On this fine morning – the vernal equinox, no less – it’s very pleasant up here, and (dare we say it?) comfortably warm. No hats, scarves, gloves, thick winter jackets today!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=368065&Y=297340&A=Y&Z=120
Aston Munslow: a walk up to the Wenlock Edge, the crest of which is over 1,000′ in these parts. It clearly catches the wind – December’s storm Darragh has done some damage. We’ll have to revise our route. Diversions notwithstanding, this is a great place to be on a fine and sunny afternoon. The views across Corvedale are extensive, taking in the Clee hills and Mortimer Forest, beyond Ludlow. There’s a real sense of space up here – and we’ve got it all to ourselves!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=351190&Y=287735&A=Y&Z=120
The Met Office has thought so since the beginning of the month; astronomically it begins on Thursday. Today it felt really springlike, despite an early frost – clear blue sky, warm sunshine. A couple more ‘firsts’ – coltsfoot and violets. There will be more!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367515&Y=298310&A=Y&Z=120
We last walked this way back in July, when the Wenlock Edge was a colourful place to be (see The colour of July). It’s not quite as colourful in mid-March, though the occasional patch of primroses brightens things up. Then a few spots of bright red catch the eye – a fine display of elf cups on a rotting log. Almost back to the start, there’s a very different fungal growth (not quite as eye-catching) – a cluster of black blobs – none other than King Alfred’s cakes.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=359435&Y=298335&A=Y&Z=120
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