Shrewsbury’s Onslow Park, 26 August – yes, bank holiday Monday, and the crowds are horrendous, but the traction engines, steam rollers and other (very) assorted steam-powered machines are in fine fettle – a splendid display!
Approaching autumn
It’ll soon be here! The hedgerows are certainly anticipating the coming change of season – the hops are really plentiful, and there will be a great crop of damsons… This was an evening walk – it’s quite dark under the trees – only a few photos today.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367085&Y=297470&A=Y&Z=120
Shorter days, longer shadows
It’ll soon be autumn – the nights are already drawing in. We need to get out promptly if we want a walk in the evening. Shirlett Lane perhaps – it’s only a mile or two up the road.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=365840&Y=298200&A=Y&Z=120
Light ale
Perhaps not entirely appropriate – the light has gone from the lanes around Willey, but in the hedgerow there are lots of wild hops. Rub one of those flowers between your fingers, and sniff! Wonderful!
Corvedale cornfields
Tuesday 20 August: It’s harvest time – some of the fields have already been cut, with lines of straw or towers of bales in evidence. Not all – in other fields, the wheat and especially the barley look beautifully ripe and golden. We’re walking from Tigger’s Ickle Shop in Rowe Lane – we’ve stocked up with some plum tomatoes, an aubergine that resembles a black boxing glove and some pieces of cake… (There’s a second Tigger’s Ickle Shop at the other end of the lane, but we’re spent up!) Soon we’re approaching Holdgate, where there’s a chocolate seat with great views to Brown Clee; beyond, the lane is well-edged with ripe blackberries. It’s been a great walk, despite our sticky fingers…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=356005&Y=289605&A=Y&Z=120
An Oswestry outing
…with Austin 1. Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries, an illustrated account of our visit and short train ride yesterday afternoon. Visit ‘Austin 1 at Oswestry‘ – now!
An hour with Austin 1
We’ve been to Oz (should that be Os?), better known outside the area as Oswestry. 
The Cambrian Railways Society has, most appropriately, had a base there for many years, but has struggled against the odds to operate trains much further than up and down a siding. A couple of years ago, it began running trains about 2.3km (sounds much further than 1.4 miles) down the old main line, to Weston Wharf. Here there are refreshments, in a static buffet car, and next door at the brewery tap. The train ride has a purpose at last! Today, we took a ride down the line, steam hauled by Austin 1 visiting from Llangollen (and just for the pleasure of it, we walked back). There will be a Rail Diaries entry in the next day or so, meanwhile, here’s a taster.
Wild chicory
I don’t think I’ve ever knowingly seen it before today! An unusual plant with attractive blue flowers – will Google know what it is? Yes, it did! We’re walking from the end of Hurst Farm lane, round the edge of the fields to Shore Pool, and back up the drive past Aldenham Park. The season is galloping along – the grain harvest is in full swing, and the blackberries are ripening well (inevitably delaying our progress, though there’s rarely any hurry)
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366905&Y=295650&A=Y&Z=120
Shugborough and Great Haywood
A fairly laid-back day out in Staffordshire – a walk through the grounds of Shugborough Hall to the Clifford Arms in Great Haywood (lunch), a short wander along the canal towpath to the junction, then back via the servants’ quarters, the Tower of the Winds and Park Farm (ice cream…)
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=399015&Y=322220&A=Y&Z=120
Dudmaston and Comer
After a damp start, it’s a fine afternoon – maybe sunny later? We’ll head for Dudmaston, for a walk through the gardens, around the lake and back via the asparagus farm and Comer Woods.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=374655&Y=288805&A=Y&Z=120
geoffspages.blog 