Front seats at the top

On By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

Two weeks ago we saw a red ex-London Transport bus in Ironbridge (see The Wharfage and the bridges). Not a common sight in these parts! “www.regionaltransport.co.uk“, it said on the front. We’d better look into that… It turns out that they are running “sightseeing trips” between Shrewsbury and Ironbridge, on Wednesdays in August. The next Wednesday was wet. Today, the weather’s much better, so we’re off to Shrewsbury on the normal bus service. We’ll enjoy a light lunch before joining the 2.20 departure from the Square, by the old market hall. The route back to Ironbridge is very familiar, but it’s great to look out at the passing scene, from the front seats at the top… At Ironbridge there’s around 45 minutes to wait for the service bus home (we could have walked, but…) – perfect for tea and cakes.

Regional Transport of Shrewsbury

 

Melons and artichokes

On By geoffspagesIn NT and EH, PhotographyLeave a comment

…in the greenhouse and the walled garden at Attingham. We’re taking a short leg-stretch, staying close to civilisation as there’s a chance of a heavy shower (inevitably, as we’ve taken a brolly, it stays dry). It’s very busy here today – car parks overflowing, with visitors to a classic car rally, but we’ll keep away from that, walking around the perimeter of the estate where there are relatively few others. As we near the end of our wander, we pass through the walled garden, where there’s plenty of summer colour.

Attingham Park NT

Castletown

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

Friday 26 July: We’ve travelled on the steam railway as far as Castletown, for a day’s exploration (and lunch, of course). Firstly, Castle Rushen – what a great place to explore! It’s not a ruin – it’s intact. When a castle was no longer needed locally, it was used as a jail, and now it’s preserved by Manx Heritage.

After the castle, we need to scuttle back to the station to record passing trains, before heading back into town, to find the aforementioned refreshments, and then walking out along the shore to Scarlett Point. Wonderful great slabs of rocks – tilted and folded, and eroded by the sea.

Castle Rushen (Manx Heritage)

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=226193&Y=467191&A=Y&Z=120