Coalport, and the museum, are in Shropshire, on the north bank of the Severn. The china was made here until the factory relocated to Staffordshire in 1926. It was a potentially dry venue for an outing on this very rainy afternoon, though some parts of the museum can only be accessed by going back out into the wet…
Wandering with the camera, in Ludlow and Ironbridge
The nuthatch posed for perhaps a minute – but wouldn’t come out from behind the twigs.
Cold and sunny, intermittently – some nice winter lighting, and quiet streets, apart from marauding parties of schoolchildren, all well prepared with the right questions to ask. Fortunately, the staff seemed to know the right answers, or at any rate, answers that satisfied the questioners…
Ironbridge Gorge Museum – Blists Hill
It’s a waterfall, a little way up the valley of the Afon Eiddew, one of the two rivers that feed the head of Lake Vyrnwy. At this time of year, the sunshine brings out the colours in the hillsides – but also casts shadow over the lower parts of the fall. We’ll perhaps have to go again – either later in the season, or earlier in the day, when the morning sun would be shining straight up the valley.
The paths would be sodden, after the snow and the rapid overnight thaw – not a day for a walk across the fields, or on the hills to the west, where a shower was “possible”. There weren’t supposed to be any showers further east, just clear blue skies (hmm… Don’t be misled by the photos) – and a stiff breeze.
The last photo taken, we dodged into a little cafe on Dam Street. Nearly stayed there longer than intended – a heavy shower outside sent people scurrying for cover, the door became jammed (only for customers leaving the premises – crafty!), and the toasted crumpets were honeyed (sorry!). Yes, they were sticky too, and most enjoyable, on a day that felt colder than it was.
This would have been a pleasant walk on an airy ridge. There was some mist on the higher ground, though it didn’t look too bad. The sun was trying to break through – we even had some blue sky and sunshine as we approached the Gaer Stone. Then the mist came down… It was cold too – we were starting to ice up (yes, really) by the time we came down from the ridge.
It snowed quite heavily, for these parts, on Friday, rested on Saturday, then continued to snow yesterday. Today, there’s just the odd flake fluttering down in the still air, and a hint of brightness in the west. We followed, as far as the hall, the route taken in the previous post, “Lingering Frost” – with some similar subjects for the camera, in somewhat different conditions.
A cold afternoon, with the frost lingering where the sun hadn’t shone – not one for standing around. We walked to Benthall Hall via Broseley’s “Fiery Fields” (an inappropriate name today). As promised, the sun became watery as the afternoon wore on – will we get some snow?
It was foggy at home – but the forecast said it would be clear just a little way to the south and west. It was right. The air was cool, but the sunshine was warm and the light was bright – one of the afternoons that should go on for ever.
We walked around the “Starboard Way” – the cutely-named alternative to the Port Way through the gliding field – and followed the fairly level path , along the western edge of the Long Mynd, southwards to Black Knoll, just over two miles distant. Here, the path descends to Plowden – we would now retrace our steps (with a slight detour). The temperature began to dropping noticeably with the sun – until, as we arrived back at the car, it dipped into a bank of cloud. Perfect timing!
It was still foggy at home…
We walked much of this route, around and through Much Wenlock, a few weeks ago. It was even worse underfoot on this occasion (though we did manage to stay on our feet – a close-run thing). Enough said – at least the views are pleasant and, to the east, extensive.
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