Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries – the illustrated account of Sunday’s superb day out. Visit “Foxfield Autumn Gala“.
Foxfield
“The Autumn Steam Gala”: Sunday’s weather looked a better prospect than Saturday’s – and so it proved, the kind of lighting that makes for a touch of drama.
More will follow in a “Rail Diaries” page…
Cardingmill Round
We parked in the Cardingmill Valley, Church Stretton – and immediately left, on foot, heading via Cwmdale to the Batch Valley. Long Batch takes us to the top of the Mynd – then via the Boiling Well (almost) and back down the Townbrook Valley, cutting across the foot of the Burway to return to Cardingmill.
The Lawley
Batch Valley – towards the bottom
Batch Valley – View to Long Batch
Looking back on Long Batch
Sunlight on the ridges
Mynd Pool
Mynd view
Caer Caradoc
View to the Wrekin
Hawthorn
Caer Caradoc (again)
Townbrook valley
Cardingmill – sunlight on The Pike
The Route:
Croome
A National Trust property near Worcester. The park was Capability Brown’s first landscape design, and Croome Court’s most recent occupants were the Hare Krishnas.
South Mynd
Another fine, sunny day – just a bit too hazy for the views, but great weather for a walk on the southern Long Mynd. Start at Priors Holt (Malcolm Saville’s “Witchend”), follow forestry tracks to the top of the Mynd, then turn southwards to Plowden, and contour back via Church Moor.
Hen Batch
In the forest
Out of the forest
Lunch beside the pool
Handless
South Mynd sheep
Hazy day
Plowden
Mushroom with a view
Another fine specimen
Wenlock to Wyke
Out via the old railway track, back via Arlescott. The weather was far too good to stay at home…
Much Wenlock
Arlescott
The path ahead
Harrowed Ground
Parasol Mushroom
Elderberries
Leander
The “Severn Valley Limited” on its way to Blackpool from Bridgnorth – seen near Shifnal, several hours after departure, and running early – but still less than 10 miles (as the crow flies) from its starting point.
(Two) More photos at “Leander” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries
Clee Hill
A walk on the Brown Clee, starting from the parking space below Nordy Bank hill fort, up to Clee Burf then along the ridge to Abdon Burf. The return route was via the top stretch of the incline, then contouring around the hill back to the road near Cockshutford. The weather forecast was optimistic…
Clee Hill Sheep
The road to Clee Burf
Toadstools…
Nice spot for lunch
Dog walkers at the summit (the only other people I saw)
The top of Shropshire
Remains from quarrying days
Top of the incline
More sheep… Contouring back towards the car
Coffee Pots at Keef’s
It’s the annual open day at the works of 
Alan Keef Ltd, near Ross-on-Wye – always an interesting event (not to mention the hot pork baps). Star attractions this year were vertical boilered “Chaloner” and “Taffy” – built in 1877 and 1994 respectively – not forgetting the widely-travelled “Peter Pan”
Visit “Coffee Pots at Keefs” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for more…
We’re open!
The Apedale Valley Light Railway, constructed by the Moseley Railway Trust, officially opens this weekend. For more pictures etc. visit Apedale – open for traffic on Geoff’s Rail Diaries
