Twenty-four hours later, I was proved wrong (see yesterday’s post Walking from home). There’s been a hard frost overnight – and mist. Everything is white and sparkly – and the mud is rock-hard. “Shall we try the path to Red Lane again?” No problem – we’re through! Red Lane is, of course, white today.
“Let’s see if we can get through to Red Lane”. It’s a few weeks since we last walked that way, and there’s been a drop of rain… If we’d been wearing wellies, it might have been possible. Perhaps in the spring – if we have another dry one.
For the next few weeks, we’re going to be walking in very familiar territory, within a mile or two of home… “Shirlett should be quiet.” It was, of course. There are one or two others out and about, but there’s plenty of space and fresh air up here. Let’s hope the weather stays dry!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365660&Y=298545&A=Y&Z=120
Monday: returning from Shrewsbury, we’ll pass the Cound road end. It’s cold, but it’s dry – we’ll stretch our legs around the quiet lanes. Someone’s lit a bonfire, but apart from those bright flames, there’s very little light this afternoon. No winter sunset skies today.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=356010&Y=304045&A=Y&Z=120
First outing of the new year (blame the weather!). It continues to be cold, but at least it’s dry today. Last week’s snow still lies on the (slightly) higher ground around Church Preen, which adds a little something to the photos. The light certainly isn’t going to help today, though for a few moments the sun tries to break through. By 3pm the light’s gone, and soon after, we’re heading for home.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=355085&Y=298270&A=Y&Z=120
A local walk and few photos to mark 2020’s last gasp – next time the sun clears the horizon it will be 2021. If it’s past midnight when you read this: Happy New Year! (“Let’s hope it’s a good one”)
We thought we’d seen the last of the sunshine when it became overcast and grey around lunchtime – but as the sun went down, the sky cleared. It was still pretty cold though. Nevertheless, a pleasant afternoon for a wander through Linley Brook, up to Willey and back past Lower Pool and the Smithies.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367620&Y=297945&A=Y&Z=120
Late afternoon: it’s stopped snowing and the day’s looking brighter – but not for long. We’re walking down the lower lane at Shirlett, and as we walk back, though the sky is clearing, the light is going. It’s too cold to stand and watch the sunset. Instead, turn through 180° and see the last full moon of the year rising.
The weather’s continuing with its bleak midwinter theme – today it’s the snow’s turn. We open the curtains this morning to whiteness, and soon it’s snowing again – snow on snow.
After lunch things are looking more encouraging. There’s a couple of inches on the car, but that’s not a problem: we’re walking. It may be familiar ground, but the snowfall has given it a different perspective.
It’s the ‘Tally-Ho‘ walk again – in reverse. We walked this way on late October, on a day when we were doing our best to dodge the showers. Today, after storm Bella has passed, it’s beautiful weather – the wind’s dropped and it’s cold, bright and clear.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=353835&Y=285540&A=Y&Z=120
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