It’s that Shirlett round again. Much has changed since we walked this way in February – white blossom, violets, leaves appearing on the trees (and it’s much drier underfoot!). As expected, it’s quiet – though we did meet one other person on the stretch across the fields (after I’d commented that we’d never met anyone else on that part of the walk). The sunshine is misleading –  the air’s cold, though it warms a little as the afternoon progresses, and it’s very pleasant to be out.

 

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We attempted this walk back in October (see Timber!) but had to turn back when we met some “serious-looking forestry operations”. Today there’s no forestry work taking place, and we’re able to complete the circuit of Causeway Wood. That final section (we weren’t certain it existed!) was very pleasant, after the forestry tracks we’d followed – a single-file footpath just within the forest’s edge, with views to the wooded ridge to the east. Worth returning for! Perhaps next time we’ll make an attempt on the summit (no great height, but the undergrowth was overwhelming last time we tried it…)

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Another Wenlock Edge walk. It’s warm again – the car said 21ºC as we drove home – but there’s some thin high cloud veiling the sunshine. The light is flat, and it’s hazy. Not ideal for the camera, though there are some colourful things of interest close to hand.

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The beginning of March wasn’t exactly leonine, though the first couple of days were cold and grey. The last two days look like being warm (by late March standards), calm and sunny. This afternoon was certainly a good one for exploring the quiet uplands of Wenlock Edge, to the north-west of the Munslows. We didn’t meet anyone else on this five mile stroll, but there’s no shortage of sheep – and lambs, of course.

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A (not very) circular route from Sheinton on a beautiful spring day, taking in Bannister’s Coppice, which is open and airy at this time of year, and the fields and woods around Belswardyne Hall. We thought we might see deer, but not today, though their footprints are in abundance. Heading back from Belswardyne, there are very young lambs in the fields and a fine view to the Wrekin.

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A couple of months ago we’d have encountered some serious mud, I suspect… We’re out in the fields between the Bridgnorth road and the river, though we won’t go down to the water – the descent is fairly steep and pretty sticky… It’s mostly grassland and pleasant walking on this breezy afternoon.

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Down by Shore Pool it took on a sepia tint (think brown dead reed mace, muddy brown water). Heading back up the drive to Aldenham, the sun tried fitfully, and some colour returned. It may not have been a warm and sunny day, but it was good to be out.

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A figure of eight, from Shirlett lane to Arlescott and back – with Barrow in the middle. It’s a fine, bright and sunny afternoon, perfect for wandering in these quiet fields. At the far end (the top of the ‘eight’) there are extensive views to the Welsh border hills.

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A walk from Willey, through Linley Green and back up to the tiny St Leonard’s church. We visited it earlier this month – see The Green Man for more photos. The air’s cold today, but the sunshine is warm – it’s very pleasant out in these quiet places.

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Not that it’s especially spring-like. It’s bright but cold. There are signs of the season – primroses and daffodils – and the leaf buds are swelling, but it will be a week or two before the trees lose their winter brown.

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