Snowdrops galore – and catkins, and the odd early primrose. Spring can’t be far away!

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On Wednesday’s walk, we passed a wayside plant stall, offering pots of snowdrops for sale. “We’ll bring the car round and buy some after our walk” (we could hardly carry them for the next four miles). We remembered the idea just a couple of minutes before returning to the start – then drove home having completely forgotten again. There were plenty on offer – “We’ll go that way in a day or two”.

Today (three days later) we bought the last two pots!
Continuing on our way, we found ourselves on the Cardington road, for a walk up to Plaish. Oddly enough, there were lots of snowdrops along the way…

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We’re on a distinctly chilly Clee Hill today, walking from Cleehill village to Magpie Hill – out via Whatsill, back past the curiously-named settlement at Random. We would have continued past the Three-forked Pole and over Hoar Edge – but we’d have been fully exposed to that bitter wind, and the sun was becoming rather watery. We’ll take the direct route. Cold notwithstanding, it’s a very pleasant outing on this lonely high ground.

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A walk along the Long Mynd ridge, from Robin Hood’s Butts to Pole Bank and back. It felt cold at first under a stubborn bank of cloud, but once that cleared the sunshine was very pleasant. Not the quietest of places on a fine Saturday, even in late January, but most enjoyable, with great views in all directions. Near the top of Mott’s Road, a sizable flock of birds circles before landing nearby. Are they golden plovers? Later, as we near our starting point, we hear grouse exchanging chuckles. “Go back, go back, go back”. Yes, we will, soon, but we’ll listen to you for a minute or two first. The icing on today’s icy cake!

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The hour before sunset: a walk down the lane, making the most of some late sunshine. What a difference – look towards the light and it’s hazy, atmospheric. Away from the light, everything is bathed in a warm glow. On our way back, the sun slips behind layers of cloud just above the horizon, and the light is going…

…and grey, and dull, but at least there’s no wind. It’s not a day for standing around! From Bedlam, over the new Free Bridge, down the old railway track as far as Coalport Bridge, over the river and along to the china works. Back over the river across the Memorial footbridge and past the Boat, to return to the start along the quiet riverside road. We don’t feel cold, grey or dull (or windy)!

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Another beautiful afternoon, following a misty morning. Tracks and paths through fields and woodland to the west of Much Wenlock – most enjoyable (if only there was a little less mud…)

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There’s really only enough time for a short one this afternoon, but the fine, calm, sunny and mild weather’s too good to waste indoors. Despite the relative warmth, it’s still cold in the shaded lane past Lower Pool – there are one or two patches of ice here and there, and the surface of the pool is frozen

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