Jubilee “Leander” could be mistaken for a Black 5 – now in BR black livery as 45690, after years of LMS maroon – though the lines of a 5XP are perhaps just that bit finer than the slightly stockier 5MT. Whatever the colour or shape, and despite the dull weather, Leander made a fine sight and sound on Shrewsbury’s Battlefield bank this afternoon. (See also “Leander in black” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries)
Great Rhos and Black Mixen
From the Shropshire hills, a great flat-topped dome dominates the southern distance – Radnor Forest (not a forest, though the hill’s northern slopes are well-covered with conifers). Prominent, with good eyesight or binoculars, is the (TV?) mast on Black Mixen. It follows that, given good weather, its views should be extensive and panoramic. We’d better go and find out.
It looks like one big hill – in fact it’s very nearly two – the deep and forbidden Harley Dingle (ammunition testing ranges!) almost bisects Radnor Forest. Great Rhos is the highest point (that’s the wrong word to use), at 660m (2166′), on the western side. It connects to the eastern Black Mixen (650m) by a narrow neck of land on the fringe of the forest. From the sleepy streets of New Radnor, the route is thus a high-level horseshoe, providing an excellent day out in this very quiet hill country (one other walker, and a distant horse-and-rider). There are more red kites than people. The views? Yes, as we imagined – a 360° panorama – hills in all directions. Wonderful!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=319679&Y=262054&A=Y&Z=120
Shirlett – signs of spring
There weren’t many, it has to be said. There are a few primroses out on this fine afternoon, and one or two celandines – and in the last few yards, some lambs enjoying the sunshine. It was good to be out despite the cold air, though spring isn’t quite here yet, I think.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366365&Y=297016&A=Y&Z=120
Austerity
No, not today’s dreadful economic state, but a railway reminder of wartime – the 2-8-0 freight locomotives, built quickly and as cheaply as possible for service in the UK and abroad. The BR austerities were all scrapped, despite surviving until late 1967 – but one which never saw BR service survived – and this weekend it is visiting the Severn Valley Railway for their “Spring Steam Gala”. I thought I’d better go and see no. 90733 in action… Visit 2-8-0s on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for more…
Hazy day
The sun came out after lunch, but the day remained hazy. We’re walking through quiet back-roads, woodland and farm lanes, to Benthall Hall. It’s far enough to feel we’ve earned our tea and cakes – and far enough home again to walk them off…
Ashes Hollow
One we’ve done many times… A fine afternoon, bright and sunny, good for a walk on the hills. We headed up Ashes Hollow to the Boiling Well, on to the highest point (hardly a summit) at Pole Bank, then back by the ridge to the descent beside Small Batch. Inevitably, that bank of cloud was stubborn – it was sunny elsewhere.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=342920&Y=293261&A=Y&Z=120
Better weather
It’s grey and damp today – but Friday and Saturday afternoons were positively springlike. There are few signs of spring, but the air is warmer, the breeze less biting. Friday’s wander was around Coalbrookdale, up and down through the woodlands. Yesterday was Wenlock’s turn, heading through the town, up past the windmill and along the edge.
Coalbrookdale:
Much Wenlock and the edge:
Liverpool
Thursday: an interesting little outing, taking advantage of London Midland’s “Great Escape” offer within a fairly limited time scale. There was time to get from Lime Street station to the Pierhead, visit the museum, have a bite of lunch, and wander beside the Mersey. The grey skies were clearing rapidly, but we needed to head for home.
More photos (mostly rail-related) on Geoff’s Rail Diaries – visit http://geoffspages.co.uk/raildiary/greatescape.htm to see Lion and the Liverpool Overhead Railway…
Spring in the air
It’s been cold and showery recently, but today the temperature made double figures, and the Met Office reckoned it wouldn’t rain before four o’clock. We’d better get out and stretch our legs. Considering that the walk began at Bedlam (the old furnaces beside the Severn), it was quiet in south Telford. We crossed the hill west of Woodside and descended (a little) to the coke hearth, before heading up to Sunniside, returning to the dale past the assorted livestock at the farm – donkeys, llamas, ostriches and geese (and possibly more). We’re heading for the tea room beside the old railway station (excellent cakes – worth hurrying to get there before they close at 3pm). Suitably refreshed, we follow the riverbank back to the car.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367415&Y=304216&A=Y&Z=120
Snowdropping
“We need to go and see the snowdrops at Attingham”. Yes, I suppose we do, and it looks like being rainy tomorrow and Friday. They are worth seeing, and there will perhaps be tea and cake afterwards. The snowdrop woods are busy – it’s half-term, and there are lots of kids-and-grandparents out today. They’re not really interested in the snowdrops, but that familiar shrill chatter is evidence that they are enjoying their outing (I’m referring to the kids, of course). We continue beyond the snowdrop woods to follow the park perimeter path, and it’s much quieter, perhaps because there’s a crocodile in the swamp. A gap in the trees reveals, perhaps 1km distant, a Roman villa. Is reality on the blink again?
