Short walks with photos and a Google map.
It’s the 1st of March on Tuesday – St David’s day, and there are signs of spring all around us as we wander down to the river, for tea and cake at Coalport youth hostel, just beside the china works. We’re about 2/3 of the way round, and their shortcake is perfect fuel for the long plod back up the hill…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=369175&Y=301571&A=Y&Z=120
At Pole Bank, I took off my gloves to eat an apple – my fingers were nearly frozen when I’d finished, and it was only a little one. Temperature aside, it felt as though spring could be in the air this afternoon on the Long Mynd. Around Little Stretton, the birds’ singing seemed to confirm my suspicions. Clear air (the Brecon Beacons just visible to the south), bright sunshine and just a very light breeze – perfect! One of those afternoons when it’s too good to come down again…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=342450&Y=292486&A=Y&Z=120
It’s a good place for wandering on a cold, bright and sunny day – even when it’s half term. The numerous parked cars are evidence of other people (and their children / grandchildren / dogs), but there’s plenty of space here. We only really become aware of others at the visitor centre, where (conveniently) it’s lunchtime, and despite the crowds (that’s a relative term – it’s not quite Blackpool beach), there’s a table where we can sit indoors. Fed and watered, we’re heading back towards the start. Like the trees, there are paths galore here – no need to retread our steps.
We’re heading for Coalbrookdale, using a path we haven’t walked before (old maps show a pre-railway age tramway following the same route) to descend from Broseley’s maypole towards the new free bridge, a modern silver-painted steel structure half a mile downriver from its more famous cousin. A ruddy stream betrays the content of the hillside, a reminder of why it all happened around here, some 250 years ago. When we reach Darby’s coke hearth, at the top of the dale, we’ll head for home – pausing only for tea and scones beside the Severn…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367225&Y=303191&A=Y&Z=120
Rights of way are not, it would appear, set in concrete (far from it – it was distinctly wet underfoot today) – this one has only recently appeared on the Ordnance Survey map. On the ground, the signs describe it as a “Restricted Byway”. It’s fairly obvious that the route has existed for a long time – through the woodlands, and the wonderful green road as we descend. It makes possible a very pleasant circular walk, between Shirlett and Muckley Cross (I’ve added a lead-in to the circle in order to park the car somewhere sensible). It’s fine, dry, bright but cold afternoon, and there are one or two early signs of spring – the trees are full of twittering birds (blue tits, great tits – teacher, teacher, teacher – and robins galore). There are one or two daffodils out, and in places the hawthorn is greening rapidly – much too soon, I suspect. Is there a chance of snow later in the week?
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=364774&Y=296785&A=Y&Z=115 (not yet shown on 1:50,000 map)
No, nothing to do with the once-popular pets – in fact we kept up a pretty good pace (these new boots must have belonged to Mercury; happily their wings are invisible to mortals). We were walking an 8-mile circuit from the Cardingmill, out via Cwm Dale and Batch Valley – which might roughly translate as “Valley Valley” and “Valley Valley”. Nomenclature notwithstanding, it’s a very pleasant route, which takes us to the Mynd plateau and an easy stroll to the highest point at Pole Bank. The days are getting longer, but so were the shadows as we approached the top, so the photos must end there…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=343855&Y=295086&A=Y&Z=120
I’m walking-in some new boots, though I suspect they don’t really need it. A slightly-extended circuit of Chasewater is just the thing on this cold, bright and breezy afternoon. It’s an interesting and popular spot. There are swans, ducks, geese and coots by the dozen. There are deer (at least, there are the heads of deer). There are dog-walkers, families and cyclists: some are quiet, some have to talk very loudly, and some chat with invisible people using little hand-held gadgets. Two of the cyclists are pushing their machines, for no very clear reason (other than the obvious “push-bike”). Close to the car park, there’s a truly crazy golf course – but surely that can’t be the hole? Back at the car, the boots appear to be suitably muddied – and though they didn’t need walking-in, their owner enjoyed a walk out.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=403480&Y=307860&A=Y&Z=120
…and a great day out!
The journey to Llandudno was a chapter of accidents (not literally). Bitter cold and a hard frost at home (scrape scrape), almost forgot to put my boots on, thought I’d miss the train (road works and heavy traffic), but actually managed to catch the earlier (9.00am) train. Congratulated myself on that – the 9.06am was running ten minutes late, and I’d have missed the connection at Shrewsbury. Except that the Cardiff – Holyhead train was ten minutes late too. It stopped for several minutes just after leaving Wrexham, and the driver eventually admitted that he didn’t know what the problem was, but our train was now so late that it would be terminating at Chester. He helpfully gave us the times of connecting trains there – the first being the 11.00am Manchester – Holyhead. We eventually made it (35 minutes late now) to Chester with five minutes to spare. The 11.00am was a loco-hauled train – comfortable, spacious, quiet and smooth – wonderful. I began to think I should have chosen Holyhead as today’s destination.
On arrival at Llandudno Junction, my plans went further astray. There would be no train to Llandudno for three quarters of an hour. I eventually discovered the bus stop – the timetable said I’d just missed one (and the next wouldn’t be for ages) – and then it arrived, three minutes late. Hadn’t expected to arrive at my destination by bus, but I got there.
The purpose of the trip was a walk around the Great Orme, that huge block of limestone jutting into the Irish Sea to the north-west of the town. I started out on the road by the pier, but it would be in deep shade (and very cold!), so followed a path up to the sunlit plateau. It’s a popular spot, especially with the dog-walkers, but there’s plenty of space up here, with interesting coastal scenery, some attractive limestone outcrops and cliffs, and extensive views. It’s a perfect day for it too – bright sunshine and a clear blue sky. The time went by all too quickly, and I was soon back at the railway station, for a return journey that was, in complete contrast to the outward run, flawless.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=276605&Y=383225&A=Y&Z=120
A walk from Clee Hill village to Magpie Hill, returning via the three-forked pole and Hoar Edge. It’s misty to the south – it’s a beautiful day up here! The pictures can do the talking…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=360315&Y=276666&A=Y&Z=120
Beautiful sunshine from an almost-cloudless blue sky – and a biting wind, the air temperature barely above freezing. We’ll be out of the wind in the valley – unfortunately, there’s little sunshine down there at this time of year.
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