It’s back! The bridge (at Ironbridge – yes, that one) has been wrapped up all year. The major refurbishment is almost complete, and apart from one small area just above the water-line, the wraps are off.
I’m taking a round-about route past Benthall Hall, walking down to the bridge from where, if I time it nicely, I’ll be getting a lift back…
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I’m keeping out of the way for half-an-hour, a little before 5pm when (for a few minutes) there’s just a little colour in the sky. There isn’t really enough light for hand-held photography, but if I stand very still and hold my breath…
We saw no 70000 “Britannia” on test in October. Today (a gloomy and intermittently wet one) she was in revenue-earning service – on the “Welsh Borders Explorer”, the circular route from Crewe, via Chester, Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton. We’re at Preston Boats, not far out of Shrewsbury, and she’s going well – we could hear the exhaust when the train was leaving Shrewsbury, more than a mile away and out of sight.
Last day of autumn (meteorologically, but not astronomically)… And speaking of matters meteorological, it’s a fine and intermittently sunny afternoon (we’ll dodge the showers) – a walk from Barrow to Wyke will be just the thing!
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A very short walk for some fresh air, after a spell of rain and strong winds. The sky was blue when we ate our lunch, but more clouds gathered as we walked – the few spots of light rain made straight for the camera lens. The splendid crop of toadstools on a fallen tree was a bonus (I’ve no idea what they were).
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This afternoon’s bright sunshine might be the last chance we’ll get for a few days – we’ll have a leg stretch on Wenlock Edge. The sun is really low at this time of year, and by 3pm we’ve lost the best of the light, but it’s been very pleasant out here.
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I know – there are still four weeks to go. But the Christmas lights are being switched on this evening – Saturday 24 November. We’d better get our coats on…
There’s a procession of unlikely vehicles (and even more unlikely drivers and passengers), then, after a (mercifully) few words, the lights are on, and with them, the fireworks.
Once that’s done, we’ll take one or two more photos, but we won’t hang around. There seems to be an unofficial “who’s got the biggest speakers” competition, and our ears are already hurting. But it was fun, and good to see such a big turnout at this very local event.
Herefordshire hill country, up towards the Shropshire border (and not far from Wales either)… Days like this are rare in November, so we’re off again, to walk a route we followed a couple of years ago, at the opposite end of the year. Then, we walked through abundant May blossom and bluebells; today there are toadstools and larch needles, and warm autumn shades against a cold blue sky.
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It’s hardly a major watercourse, nevertheless it has carved itself a very attractive shallow but steep-sided valley, ideal for an amble on this bright but hazy afternoon. Heading back, our path overlooks the valley, with more extensive views the other way. Am I alone in thinking the Wrekin resembles Mount Fuji from up here?
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It’s another dry, bright afternoon – once again, too good for indoor duties. We’re off to Haughmond Hill, near Shrewsbury – the woodlands should be pleasantly late-autumnal, and the views to the south Shropshire hills will be good, though it’s not particularly clear today.
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