Short walks with photos and a Google map.
It’s a regular: walk down to Coalport, for tea and cake. But it’s too warm for tea and cake – we’ll have ice creams instead. We’ll vary our return route too – Corbett’s Dingle (locally known simply as “the dingle”) can be impossibly muddy, but today it’s dry, and pleasantly cool and shady on this warm afternoon.
It’s too warm for energetic activities, but we need some fresh air and a leg stretch. Woodland might be cool, but the tops could be breezy. How about the Long Mynd? We can park at the northern end of the plateau, near Robin Hood’s Butts, and walk to Pole Bank and back. It’s not a long walk, but it’s sufficient, and yes, there’s a pleasant breeze for much of the way. Hang on to that hat!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=342575&Y=295371&A=Y&Z=120
My fingers got the better of me! We walked from Moreton, on the north Wirral shore, to Seacombe, to a bus stop just beyond the ferry terminal. We were making for Hamilton Square station, and to continue walking could have meant a missed connection…
Yesterday’s outing by rail had been planned a week or so in advance. In the event, it would be too warm for any longer journeys, and there could be (there were!) pleasant sea breezes away from the train. Before the walk, a ride to the end of the line at West Kirby (it was emphatically Wet Kirby, last time I was there) meant we could take refreshments (a pleasant little cafe in the railway station building), before riding back as far as Moreton. From the shore, there are hazy views to Wales and to Liverpool, and wind turbines out at sea. Around the corner at New Brighton (it’s busy here!), we’re following the west bank of the Mersey, with interesting views of the docks. Below, on the sands, are oystercatchers and four curlews.
We might have made it to Hamilton Square on time, but the bus proved a wise choice. The bridge across the docks was closed for maintenance/road works – if we’d had to follow the alternative route on foot, we’d have been home much later. We’d walked a little under 8 miles anyway – quite enough for this warm afternoon.
View OS Map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=329465&Y=394095&A=Y&Z=120
It’s pleasantly warm this afternoon, though the sun will be hot out in the open. We’ll follow a route that includes a good proportion of natural deciduous woodland, on and below Wenlock Edge. The views aren’t great in the woods, of course, and the deer are hiding today, but it’s very enjoyable walking in cool, shady and quiet places.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=362105&Y=302086&A=Y&Z=120
We’re out to see the ducks again… It’s a walk down to Ironbridge and back, with a break for lunch, and a tour of the ten ducks. They’re a colourful, if temporary, addition to the local scene. There are other things to look at – there’s a Buddha, and there are people doing strange things in the river…
A beautiful day! We’re wandering around Benthall Hall and Edge – it’s warm and sunny in the fields, while the woodlands are pleasantly cool. A couple of weeks ago, the bluebells were at their best, but they’re past it now – as is the oilseed rape, and the tatty peacock on the brambles. Perhaps we’re past our best too? Who cares! Maybe, like the emerging orchids in the scrubland, the best is yet to come…
The bluebells are out with a vengeance on the lower slopes. The sky’s blue (with puffy white clouds, and the distant hills are blue (remembered…). And there’s hardly anyone else out (were there a couple of matches going on today?). A cuckoo makes its presence felt, and just off the north end of the hill, there’s a pair of red kites wheeling and diving. It’s good up here – shame to have to come down again.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=360190&Y=285771&A=Y&Z=120
We’re following what has become a favourite route – from Much Wenlock, down through Homer to Bannister’s Coppice, and back along the old waggonway route. There may be some deer about, and perhaps some early purple orchids? Down beside the brook, there was a group of perhaps a dozen deer, well-camouflaged amongst the trees, and only visible when they moved (away, of course). There were a few more in the field when we left the coppice – they didn’t hang around either.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=362200&Y=302111&A=Y&Z=120
…via the Burwarton estate road and Boyne Water. On a day like this, it’s against the law to stay in, apparently. Everywhere will be busy; Brown Clee might be quieter than places with ice cream vans and tea rooms? It probably was, though there were lots of cars parked where usually there might be one or two others. We didn’t see many of their occupants – perhaps ten in total. It’s quiet here – just the odd lark (ascending), hardly a breach of the peace. It’s warm too (jackets and jumpers not required – at last!), with a pleasant light breeze, and though the sky is clear the air isn’t – this is not a day for extensive views. Nevertheless, it’s a great place to be on such an afternoon.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=360215&Y=285696&A=Y&Z=120
We’re wandering around Coalbrookdale, enjoying a bright afternoon and the fresh spring growth. Lots of wild garlic in the woods, forget-me-nots, clean white stitchwort, and brilliant green leaves on the beeches.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367325&Y=303976&A=Y&Z=120
geoffspages.blog 