A first visit to the Staffordshire estate, former residence of a certain late well-known photographer. I’d better do my best today, but they’re only snapshots of a brief visit. There’s too much to see in a single afternoon – we’ll have to return, perhaps mid-week when it might be quieter…
Twenty in steam at Statfold, for the March Enthusiasts’ day – what a great day’s entertainment! For more on the visit to the Statfold Barn Railway, and lots of pictures, visit “A Spring Score at Statfold” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries
…and Ashes Hollow. It’s another fine sunny day (though the sunshine will become hazy later), so we’re stretching our legs on the Long Mynd. We haven’t been up Minton Batch for some time, so we walk down the very quiet lane from Little Stretton to Minton and just beyond, then up the valley to the top of the Mynd, just along from the gliding field. The road along the top isn’t quite so quiet, but it’s a pleasant stroll and it’s easy enough to dodge the odd car (youngish men taking women old enough to be their mothers out for a drive. Odd, that). Reaching Pole Cottage, we remember there’s chocolate in the camera bag (it’s what they’re for) – perfect for a brief halt before heading off down Ashes Hollow and back to the car.
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We had a fine sunny day for our visit to Statfold today – perfect conditions for watching no fewer than twenty 2’0″gauge steam locos in action. (I didn’t try to count them – they keep moving around, and I’d have fallen asleep). As well as the usual locals, visitor “Diana” from Bala Lake took a star turn, along with the delightful newly-restored Peckett Liassic. A “Rail Diaries” page will appear sooner or later; in the meantime here’s a picture of the Peckett.
A rare visitor to Shrewsbury today – “Royal Scot” no 46115 Scots Guardsman, seen making light work of Battlefield bank with 12 coaches in tow (I suppose we should be glad that it wasn’t raining – but the weak sunshine of just five minutes earlier would have been most welcome).
Chasewater – the “Industrial Gala”. It’s cloudy, and cold in the stiff breeze; not a day for photography, though I’ll take a few. Colin and Teddy, the two tiny saddle-tank locomotives, will demand attention, as ever, and the recent arrivals – a pair of ancient Motor-Rails, in disguise as ex-BR lookalikes 15097 and 15099, need their pictures taken too. Visit “A windy Chase” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for more.
They must have thought as we did – that it was a perfect day for the hills, almost too good for mid-March. A cloudless sky, warm sunshine, cool air and the lightest of breezes – much better than mid-summer. Fewer people about, but at least four red kites. First there was one on his (or her) own, then another, then a pair, hurrying away to the north – and moments later, another pair circling to our south. The alpacas and llamas were enjoying the sun too. This is south Shropshire, isn’t it? It’s hard to be sure sometimes.
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It’s become a good standby – bus to Much Wenlock, walk back. We might have gone further afield, but the weather forecast wasn’t great (so, inevitably, the weather was better than we expected). Spring flowers are beginning to appear in the hedgerows, there are spring lambs in the fields, and it’s warmer than it’s been for a while. There’s only one downside – the tea room at Benthall Hall isn’t open on Mondays…
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No, we haven’t gone religious – that’s ‘crossing’, not ‘coming’. We were in Manchester yesterday, for a ride on the tram routes we didn’t have time for last year. We’ll include the new ‘second crossing’ – the alternative route across the city centre for trams running between St Peter’s Square and Victoria, which opened just over a week ago. If we’re lucky, there’ll be time for a pint later… For more, and lots of pictures, visit “The second crossing” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries.
It’s not one of Shropshire bigger hills – just 320m (1067 feet) – and it stands alone, not easy to incorporate into a longer walk. But it’s an obvious landmark from the north, on the winding Bishop’s Castle road from Shrewsbury. “Must walk up there one day”. Today was that day! A most enjoyable little walk it was, too – barely 3 miles, and a fair pull up through the muddy woods of Pontesford Hill, but well worth it for the extensive views. It would be even better on a clear day…
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