Forest paths

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Walks1 Comment

We’re in the Wyre Forest this afternoon. It’s very pleasant wandering through this woodland, often fairly open, with deciduous areas and grassy clearings. It’s not always pleasant underfoot – several of the streams resemble paths (or maybe vice versa), and there’s an unexpected ford where culverts are blocked (the new boots perform admirably). There’s plenty of water in the Dowles Brook too, though it’s rather muddy. The heron is watching intently – he’ll need patience as well if he hopes to see anything edible.

View OS map in Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=374430&Y=277401&A=Y&Z=120

Holly Bank and Colin

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...Leave a comment
Holly Bank No3 at Chasewater Heaths
Holly Bank No3 at Chasewater Heaths
Colin emerges from his shed, stretching and yawning
Colin emerges from his shed, stretching and yawning

It’s the IRS AGM – this year, it’s at Chasewater, and we have some entertainment lined up to keep us amused before the meeting, provided by Hunslet Holly Bank No.3 (AKA Darfield No.1) and tiny Barclay Colin McAndrew. There’s a brake van special and a freight train to photograph and ride on, and a certain amount of shunting. Sometimes the sun was kind to us. More will appear on “Geoff’s Rail Diaries” in a day or so, in the meantime, here’s the usual taster
Industrial Railway Society
Chasewater Railway

Priors Holt to Black Knoll

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

The day changed: it was bright and sunny when we left Priors Holt (or “Witchend” to Malcolm Saville “Lone Pine” afficionadoes), but the forecast was right. It was windy too – we’d planned a different route from Black Knoll, but the wind was strong and bitter on the exposed south-eastern flank of the Mynd – much more so than on the ridge path – so we retraced our steps to the forest. A red kite wheeling nearby was never close enough for the camera, and the three deer in the woods, just yards away, were gone in seconds. No photos of them either…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=340535&Y=289336&A=Y&Z=120

Alpha: Statfold

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...Leave a comment

AlphaJust back from another good day at the Statfold Barn Railway. Photos etc. will appear in due course on “Geoff’s Rail Diaries” – in the meantime, a taster: Hudswell Clarke 1172 of 1922 “Alpha”, the latest new entrant. I’d say more about this lovely little loco – if I knew any more about it…

Update: it’s from the Ryam sugar mill in India – same place as the little black Davenport, also resident at Statfold… See http://geoffspages.co.uk/raildiary/davenport.htm  Thanks to http://www.steamlocomotive.info/ for that.

Dudmaston in spring

On By geoffspagesIn NT and EH, PhotographyLeave a comment

Rain is threatened – better not stray too far. A wander around Dudmaston might be pleasant? It was! Spring is really getting going here – and not just the flora. The swans on the lake are quite excited about it, and the geese are honking happily. Just out of sight in the Severn valley, the steam trains whistle as they clatter along, a far more relaxing sound than the motorcycles screaming along the A442…

Dudmaston NT

Back to the Munslows

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks1 Comment

A pleasant five-mile stroll in a quiet part of the Wenlock Edge – and once we’re away from the road, it really is quiet. The birds are singing, but that doesn’t count as noise, and the only other sound, as we approach the highest parts, is the gentle rustling of a very light breeze in the trees. It’s clear too – the Black Mountains stand out to the south-west. At home, the grass needs cutting, but it will have to wait…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=351485&Y=287911&A=Y&Z=120