Short walks with photos and a Google map.
We’ll be under the trees for much of the way – on this warm afternoon, it’s especially pleasant along the old railway trackbed on the south side of the river between Coalport bridge and Maw’s – cool and moist, just what’s needed!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=368955&Y=302795&A=Y&Z=120
Expect the unexpected! For moderately complex reasons, we found ourselves in Leominster yesterday afternoon. The roads through the old town centre are all being dug up, so we wandered slightly further afield and found Grange Court. Formerly the town’s market hall, it was dismantled in the middle of the 19th century and, a year or two later, re-erected on its present site. The ground floor, formerly open, has been enclosed to make this fine and unexpected (we certainly weren’t expecting it!) building.
That evening, home again and fed, we enjoyed our regular wander around the lanes at Willey. We weren’t expecting the yellow crops in the field – not rape in July, surely, though the plant looks similar – what is it? This morning, my dependable source on such matters informed me that it’s mustard. It will be harvested, or ploughed in as green manure, depending on how things go. Expect the unexpected! (Douglas Adams, of course)
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367515&Y=298310&A=Y&Z=120
A walk from Much Wenlock, across the fields to the derelict farm at Perkley, past the camp sites near Bourton Westwood Farm, then down to the old railway track leading back to the start.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=361430&Y=298891&A=Y&Z=120
There may be no sunshine but the hedges beside Stanley Lane and the old railway track are colourful this evening
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=372065&Y=296465&A=Y&Z=120
… because it’s going to rain this afternoon. As ever at this time of year, there’s plenty of colour in the hedgerows around Willey
View OS map in Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367470&Y=298250&A=Y&Z=120
Up here, on the Wenlock Edge, it’s predominantly at the blue, indigo and violet end of the spectrum. There are pyramidal orchids by the dozen, along with hairy bellflowers, vetch and some rather flamboyant knapweed. It’s a colourful month in these parts.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=359435&Y=298335&A=Y&Z=120
It’s a fine July afternoon, occasionally warm in the sunshine and very pleasant in the lanes up to (and down from) Church Preen. There are one or two signs of the coming autumn (though it’s some way off yet) – swelling wild greengages and damsons, and the remarkable red leaves of herb robert.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=354860&Y=298485&A=Y&Z=120
Monday 24 June: Last chance of a leg stretch before we take to the road tomorrow – a short stroll onto the hilltop above Heribusta. It’s not a great evening. I’m fortunate to see a little sunshine, but I could easily get wet too. Sunshine and showers = rainbows!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=139735&Y=870360&A=Y&Z=120
As mentioned in yesterday’s post, Sunday’s weather was much more friendly – bright, some pleasant sunshine, and sufficient breeze to keep the midges away… I’ve walked this circular route a couple of times recently – it’s the first few miles of the Skye Trail, linking the small car park at the Shulista road end with Kilmaluag old churchyard, or Cladh. As there’s space at the former, I’ll start there – and walk the route anti-clockwise, to get the road walk done first (it’s not bad – not much traffic this afternoon).
Once off the road, the walk is very enjoyable, passing the old settlement (now home to lots of rabbits) and cairn at Dunvannarain on its grassy ridge. Soon I’m at the cliff edge, and the coastal scenery is spectacular as far as the bothy (a former coastguard look-out) on Meall Tuath. After the compulsory choc-stop (there’s a perfectly-placed bench), the return to the start is easy and pleasant – a well-trodden way, much improved in recent years, with great views to the western coastline of Trotternish, the sea sparkling in the sunshine.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=142365&Y=875170&A=Y&Z=120
It’s no great height – 299m, according to the Ordnance Survey – but it’s high enough on (yet another) windy day. Fortunately there are some comfortable rocks, perfect for a chocolate stop, just to the leeward side of the summit. Before I take to the hill, I’m walking along the road from Uig to the Quiraing. Judging by the number of cars, SUVs, camper vans and minibuses on this narrow road, it will be horribly busy there. Reieval may not be quite so scenic (or well-known), but it’s a great place to sit and survey the scene – and there’s no-one else there.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=139255&Y=864868&A=Y&Z=120
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