Wednesday 19 April: They call it the ‘Heart of Wales line’ these days. We’re on a day out – a ’round robin’ ticket for a scenic circular tour. The line down to Newport (and thence Cardiff) runs through attractive Marches countryside, but the Swansea to Craven Arms (and Shrewsbury) line is truly scenic on this fine spring day. Between the two lines, Cardiff and Swanses provide some railway interest. Visit Central Wales circular on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for an illustrated full account.
Scenty Sentinels
A few days ago, I mentioned my trip to the Chasewater Railway, and promised a “Rail Diaries” page. Here it is! Visit “Scenty smells…” for an account and photos of the day’s fun and games (and lunch)
Where’s the sunshine gone?
It was bright first thing, but the clouds are gathering… A wander around the Willey lanes, on a cooler and breezier morning than of late.
View OS map in Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367470&Y=298250&A=Y&Z=120
Watery Sunday
No, it didn’t rain, though the clear blue skies have gone for now. The sun was there, and from time to time we could feel some warmth (very welcome – the wind’s cold), but it shone from a classic watery sky of thin, high cloud. Below, more substantial clouds drifted about with a threat of precipitation. Between the Harnage Grange lane and the minor road from Harley to Kenley, at the back of Bull Farm, there’s a quiet hidden valley. The public footpath is well marked, and climbs out of the valley through bluebell woods. It’s very pleasant down here below the Wenlock Edge.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=356720&Y=301705&A=Y&Z=120
Cynthia, Helen and Megan
Saturday 12 April: the Industrial Railway Society’s AGM is at Chasewater this year – and before the meeting, there will be specials for members – a brakevan trip along the line, and a demonstration coal train (there will also be an excellent buffet lunch). Cynthia is the rather fine Sentinel steam loco which hauled the brake vans; Helen and Megan are the diesels, seen at either end of the coal train. There will be more, on Geoff’s Rail Diaries, when I find the time – meanwhile, here are Cynthia, Helen and Megan…
Around Round Hill
Thursday 10 April: A leg stretch on another fine afternoon – the walk is short because time is short today…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367105&Y=297455&A=Y&Z=120
Blossom and bluebells
A walk from Cound, along paths which can be unwalkable (except in waders) in wet winter weather, but very pleasant in this dry and sunny spell (will it last?).
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=355995&Y=303950&A=Y&Z=120
Belswardyne and Bannister’s
A walk from Sheinton, via Belswardyne to Bannister’s Coppice on yet another fine and sunny afternoon. We haven’t been that way for a while – the woods can be really muddy. Once again, there’s a cool breeze from the east, and once again there are more seasonal ‘firsts’ – a comma butterfly beside the lane to Belswardyne, butterbur and garlic flowers in the woods beside Sheinton brook, and just beyond Sheinton church there are flowers of garlic mustard beside the lane.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=361235&Y=302925&A=Y&Z=120
Firsts
More firsts for 2025: green alkanet, yellow deadnettle, herb robert – and a small tortoiseshell butterfly. Just a few days ago we read in the paper that they’d suffered their worst year on record – and there he was, feeding on dandelions as though everything was fine! We’re enjoying a late-morning walk from Willey, along the lane through the Smithies, up Round Hill and back down through the woods along Ned’s Lane, which after a particularly muddy autumn and winter, is almost dry along its length. (Please could someone dig out that spring and divert its water off the path…)
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367090&Y=297935&A=Y&Z=120
Blue and white
We’ll start with blue – the year’s first bluebell, and end with white – the first stitchwort. In between, a wander through Chestnut Coppice, down to the riverbank, back up to Colemore Green, along the road and back to the start past Boldings Pools.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=371205&Y=297260&A=Y&Z=120
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