It’s likely to be the best part of the day, according to the forecast. Sure enough, the sky is clearing and the sun is shining (it’s not very warm though!). Familiar territory – Shirlett Lane, and the tattie fields…
The muddy Severn
The Severn is always cloudy by comparison with, say, a chalk stream, or the peaty waters of a highland glen, but at present they’re muddier than usual – must be all the rain… Speaking of which, it was supposed to rain all day, but we found a likely dry spell in the forecast, and enjoyed this short walk from Bedlam furnaces (car parking) up and over the hill to Coalbrookdale, and back through Ironbridge. On the riverbank is the shed where (we remember him well) Eustace Rogers used to build his coracles. Sadly ‘Eusti’ was the last of his line, and the shed is now a tiny museum, which can only be visited by peering through the glass window. Just below the world-famous Iron Bridge, here’s another fascinating little bit of history on an altogether more human scale.
Tributes paid to coracle man BBC News 10 February 2003
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Willey and St Leonard’s
Starting from Willey (where the village hall’s new roof looks truly splendid) we’re heading up Scots Lane and down to St Leonard’s church at Linley, a quiet spot amongst the trees and bluebells. The sun’s gone behind the clouds as we return through Linley Brook, but it’s soon shining again. Raindrops land heavily minutes after we arrive home…
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The old mines
There were many small coal mines in this area in early industrial times, and many of them had associated primitive railways or wagonways. One such, of which no trace remains, was known to exist as long ago as 1605. Others have left some visible traces – a wagonway connected the long-disused Caughley colliery, where we’re heading, to wharves on the Severn. An obviously-engineered way forms part of the footpath through the mine site, and the wagonway also ran along what is now a driveable rough track. Nearby, the Caughley china works was in operation from 1775 to 1799, when the business was transferred to the works down in the valley at Coalport. Fragments of unglazed scrap porcelain are scattered around the modern memorial.
Once again, it looked like rain; once again, it didn’t!
Showery Shirlett
We walked this way exactly a month ago, on 17 April, in fine spring weather. Today, the weather is showery (yet again!), and some of the showers could be heavy. Our jackets are waterproof, and a cap will keep me dry on top, if the worst happens. It doesn’t, fortunately, and near the top of Round Hill, feeling warm, I take it off. We’re rewarded within a minute or two by a brief light shower of soft hailstones, which stops when I put the cap back on. Must take it with me more often!
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Harton Road
We’re walking along the Harton road from Ticklerton, passing along the way the site of Harton Road station. The railway closed almost 70 years ago – but there’s the old station, just visible through the trees, looking well-maintained and well-loved. From Harton, we’ll head towards Eaton, passing early purple orchids and a pair of gobbling turkeys. Crossing under the route of the old railway again, the sky behind us is looking ominous – and then there are a couple of deep rumbles of thunder. We’re almost back at Ticklerton – will we stay dry? Yes, we made it! (One of these days we’re going to get soaked…)
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Grey days in May
…with a touch of yellow. We’re out in the morning once again – there’s a greater chance of rain later.
A green world
It could rain this afternoon: it’s trying to rain as we put our boots on, but it should only be light – we could stay dry. As we leave the car, a few drops are falling, but by the time we’re in the woods, it’s stopped. Nevertheless it’s damp underfoot, and everything is moist, rain-washed – and green! In the woods on Benthall Edge, the world is green – it’s a great place to be.
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Daughter of Amaryllis
We were given the mother several years ago. She’s been flowering merrily ever since – and producing pups around her base, which have been carefully potted-on. Now daughter no. 1 is in flower (and daughter two is close behind)…
The remarkable blooms – two of them, with a third on its way – are between 8 and 10 inches (200 – 250mm) across.
Photo notes: I used ‘Post Focus’ mode on my camera – it takes a short 4k video burst while varying the focus, then its clever software combines the sharpest parts of each frame. Wow!
Walk notes: Yes, we were out this morning, but the sky was grey and rain was threatening, so the camera stayed in its bag…
A sunny evening…
…after a day of frequent heavy showers. The clouds give the impression that there are still one or two around, but it’s dry and pleasantly sunny around the lanes at Willey. The fields are bright yellow – the oilseed rape is in full bloom.
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