Not really a walk – just a wander (making the most of the first dry afternoon for a little while) beside the pools to the east of the main road at Dudmaston, Shropshire. Apart from the traffic noise, at the western end of Brim Pool, it’s a quiet spot. Quiet, that is, in the sense of few other people around. The woodpecker wasn’t quiet, hammering away at the trees, nor were the ducks and coots in the pools, and the smaller birds – great tits, chiff chaffs et al. – in the trees. And it didn’t rain – until we were nearly home in the car.

Red kites, that is. We lost count – could have been eight or nine – or fewer, moving around a lot… We counted three in the air simultaneously at one point. Not that it was a particularly windy day – there was a cool breeze, but the sunshine was warm and the air was clear – a good day to be out on Shropshire’s Stiperstones.

We’d originally thought of walking much further west – but the forecast promised thickening cloud from that direction. That promise was fulfilled in the last half-hour or so of this very pleasant stroll. Minutes earlier, we’d eaten our lunch in sunshine. Now, as we walked back along the summit ridge, the feel of the day had changed completely.

A red grouse shouted “go back, go back, go back” – yes, we’d better hurry, it’s not good to be up by the Devil’s Chair when the cloud comes down.

A pleasant wander on a cold, clear and sunny afternoon, in the country between Broseley, Bridgnorth and Much Wenlock.

An amazingly mild and sunny afternoon – at home… The car said it was 16°C; fifteen miles away, on Hope Bowdler hill, the clouds were gathering, and the wind was getting up. It certainly didn’t feel like 16°, not with the wind chill on the tops – but the light was good, the air clear and the views extensive. Jodrell Bank, just over 50 miles away, gleamed on the northern horizon – the first time I’ve seen it from Shropshire’s hills

Homer and Wigwig lie to the north-west of the Wenlock Edge, near Much Wenlock. I visited the former (there’s nothing there, apart from houses) and viewed the latter (a large farm) on this walk from the NT car park in Much Wenlock. Shame the weather wasn’t a bit brighter – no sunshine. just unremitting grey skies. At least it’s not as cold as it was last week.

The route might have been slightly different if I’d remembered to take the map…

I don’t think the temperature ever rose above 1ºC, but it was a great afternoon for a wander on these south-east facing slopes of the Wenlock Edge. With no wind, the sun felt warm, but the air was starting to feel really cold by the time we dropped back down the lane to Aston Munslow.

Again! It’s a great short walk, perfect for a cold winter afternoon (soon warming up on the plod uphill), with wonderful views across the Severn to the south Shropshire hill country.

I continued along the ridge, descending to Little Hill. There’s virtually no view (unless trees are “view”). Returned to the car along the path through the woods on the north-west side.

A walk at the northern end of the Wenlock Edge, on a cold but sunny January afternoon. The weather forecast for the next few days wasn’t so favourable – better make the most of it…