We’re walking the same way as “Frosty” from two days ago, but the world has changed since then. It’s colder, and last night’s freezing fog has left a wonderful hoar frost. All we need is a little sunshine, perhaps some blue sky?
The murk cleared, but the sun stayed stubbornly behind a patch of cloud. Occasionally, there would be some brightness, then for the last 15 minutes it shone, lighting the frosted trees against a (mostly) blue sky. Then it sank into the murk. Time for home!
It’s frost – hoar frost, quite thick in places, especially where the sun hasn’t shone. We’ve had no snow here – yet – but the frost resembles snow here and there. The air is certainly very cold, but there’s only the lightest of breezes, and the sunshine, from a clear blue sky, is warm. It’s a great afternoon for these quiet hills (I only met one other person. Where were they all?)
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First of December tomorrow – and first frost of the winter today. The temperature’s barely risen above freezing, though the afternoon is fine and sunny. We’ll need to keep moving – too cold to stand around for long, even at the chocolate gate…
That’s my guess, based on the number of Christmas trees at Attingham Park. We’re there for a wander, one that won’t get us seriously muddy. Hadn’t expected all the trees (which nevertheless are great fun!). The first is rather unconventional, to say the least. Others are more easily recognised. We’re rather taken by the piggy baubles, and as the Three Bears… There’s no sign of any porridge though – the (pine?) Shrewsbury biscuits and the (plywood?) layer cake look much more tempting.
No shortage of trees around here! The leaves are mostly shed now; their former hosts are in (photogenic) winter silhouette mode, great on this fine afternoon.
No shortage of mud around here! We’ve had a drop of rain over the past few weeks – we could do with some dry weather, or some hard frosts to freeze it…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=361430&Y=298891&A=Y&Z=120
Jelly jam, made this morning from crab and other wild apples picked locally. I made the juice a few weeks ago – and froze it (not enough empty jars). The apples weren’t such an attractive colour. Looks good enough to eat!
It’s a sunny start, but cloud is pushing in from the west, producing some spectacular skyscapes around Aldenham, and remarkable reflections in Shore Pool. By the time we’re heading back, the shadows are lengthening and the afternoon is almost over. The days are short now, but the solstice is not far away.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366905&Y=295650&A=Y&Z=120
It’s very nearly a perfect day for a walk on the Wenlock Edge near Aston Munslow – cold (and getting colder), clear and sunny. There’s a red kite wheeling above the sheepy field, and in the woods are deer – one, two, then three. They’ve seen us, of course, and aren’t sure of our motives. Soon they’re away, down the steep slope to the west. The sun’s almost gone by the time we’re back to the start.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=350995&Y=287750&A=Y&Z=120
There’s not much light today, but there’s colour in the few leaves that remain – mostly beech and brambles. There’s an interesting assortment of fungi – here are some that look like little bread rolls. I don’t think I’ll try them…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366240&Y=297950&A=Y&Z=120
Sunny intervals? Huh! Drizzle (at first) and cloud, more like… Not to worry, it’s still very pleasant wandering around these quiet, if rather muddy lanes.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=356815&Y=301390&A=Y&Z=120
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