Coincidence: we don’t get many main line steam-hauled trains in Shropshire, but 22 April scores heavily with three in recent years. The fourth event, just three years ago, involved a brief look at the Middleton Railway in Leeds.
Port Navalo
22 April 2003: a drive out the the Gulf of Morbihan. Port Navalo is on the eastern side of the gulf’s mouth, through which the sea rushes in and out twice a day. Nothing so energetic for us – I think our visit may have included refreshments at a local café, which probably involved crèpes…
Red Lane and Inett mines
Beyond Inett Farm, a kissing gate provides access to a path across rough grassland, through the remains of ancient shallow coal pits. Beyond, a damp, shady way takes us to Red Lane, where the fields are bright yellow. Some of the bluebells are a funny colour too. We’ll survey the scene from Red Lane before heading back through the mines – to continue would be a shorter route home, but we’d have to walk along the road – no thanks!
5, 7, 13
All on 21 April:
2005: Ironbridge on a spring evening
2007: steam on the main line, All Stretton and Knucklas
2013: Bridgnorth – a brief exploration
Landes de Cojoux
21 April 2003: We found this site by accident, while studying the Michelin map – “where shall we go today?”. Carnac is well-known, deservedly so. On a scrubby ridge near Saint-Just, a few miles north-east of Redon, the Landes de Cojoux seem to be much less popular, despite the fascinating arrays of megaliths.
Down the lane
…and back again. It’s about two miles to the point where we turn back – any further would mean a lengthy descent. In normal times, we’d keep going and have tea and cakes at Coalport.
La Brière; Guérande
20 April 2003: more from Brittany. We’ve driven down to the Brière marshes, hired a boat and paddled ourselves out into this strange waterlogged landscape. Somewhere we can hear a bittern booming, but there’s no chance of seeing him. Afterwards, we head for the little walled town of Guérande, which I’m sure would have been well worth a lengthier stay – on a quiet day… We didn’t hang around.
Two Deans
20 April 2019 – we’ve just arrived in Edinburgh, and we’re taking a walk beside the Water of Leith to Dean Village, early on a fine spring evening
20 April 2020 – coincidentally, and nearly 300 miles further south, we’re walking down the lane that leads to Dean Farm. It’s another fine spring day – not a cloud in the sky.
Brittany and Herefordshire
19 April 2003: still in Brittany, we’re taking a look at Josselin and Ploermel.
19 April 2009: Herefordshire – the chestnuts are certainly ancient (and several are dead, sadly); the woodlands around Fishpool Valley are coming alive.
19 April 2015: a walk from home – there are Soay sheep in the fields near Benthall.
Flowers, not showers
Yesterday was cool, grey and damp, but today the fine weather is back, and looks set to stay for the week ahead. No April showers this year! The spring flowers are abundant now, in the hedgerows, the damp places and the fields.
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