Dudmaston pools

On By geoffspagesIn WalksLeave a comment

Not really a walk – just a wander (making the most of the first dry afternoon for a little while) beside the pools to the east of the main road at Dudmaston, Shropshire. Apart from the traffic noise, at the western end of Brim Pool, it’s a quiet spot. Quiet, that is, in the sense of few other people around. The woodpecker wasn’t quiet, hammering away at the trees, nor were the ducks and coots in the pools, and the smaller birds – great tits, chiff chaffs et al. – in the trees. And it didn’t rain – until we were nearly home in the car.

A good day for flying kites

On By geoffspagesIn Walks1 Comment

Red kites, that is. We lost count – could have been eight or nine – or fewer, moving around a lot… We counted three in the air simultaneously at one point. Not that it was a particularly windy day – there was a cool breeze, but the sunshine was warm and the air was clear – a good day to be out on Shropshire’s Stiperstones.

We’d originally thought of walking much further west – but the forecast promised thickening cloud from that direction. That promise was fulfilled in the last half-hour or so of this very pleasant stroll. Minutes earlier, we’d eaten our lunch in sunshine. Now, as we walked back along the summit ridge, the feel of the day had changed completely.

A red grouse shouted “go back, go back, go back” – yes, we’d better hurry, it’s not good to be up by the Devil’s Chair when the cloud comes down.

Industrial at Butterley

On By geoffspagesIn Railways...Leave a comment

It was the Industrial Railways Society’s AGM yesterday – this time at the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley. Whether it was in our honour, I’m not certain, but the passenger service for the day was being operated by two diminutive industrial 0-4-0STs – 104-year old Peckett “Whitehead” and No 1, an RSH from Castle Donington power station, little more than half the age of the Peckett. They seemed to cope OK. Yes, that is a 3-car DMU they’re hauling; no, its engines weren’t running… (The AGM was in the reconstructed tin chapel – whose seating was ideal for keeping things reasonably brief…)

A “Rail Diaries” page with (a few) more photos will follow in due course.