Friday 9 February: …after a trip on the sleeper (in a seat) to Inverness. I’ve got 15 minutes to catch the 8.55 to Kyle of Lochalsh. I need to buy refreshments for the trip, and take a few photos – is there time? Yes – just!
Gathering pace
The days are getting noticeably longer, and the seasonal changes are becoming more noticeable. There are hundreds of snowdrops everywhere, the celandines are coming into flower, and up Bould Lane (it’s quite sheltered) hawthorn is coming into leaf. Plenty of time yet for wintry weather, but spring can’t be far over the horizon.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367575&Y=297830&A=Y&Z=120
The first…
…of February. The first crocus flower appeared in the garden today, the first celandines are appearing here and there, and in the fields (some distance from the path I’m on) are the first lambs I’ve seen this year. 2024 is gathering pace! Just a little sunshine now and then, not a breath of wind – once again, it’s good to be out on a fine day.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=365610&Y=302500&A=Y&Z=120
Colour on a grey day
A wander with the camera around Blists Hill Victorian Town – a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
Here for the view
That’s not the only reason – it’s a great place for an enjoyable walk, especially on a fine afternoon like this. The forecast said the clouds would clear – and they did, on schedule too.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=347500&Y=293335&A=Y&Z=120
Darley and Willey
The sun’s there somewhere – it’s trying! There are a few patches of blue in the sky, but they never quite coincide with the sun’s position. Not to worry – it’s not raining, and it’s drier underfoot than it’s been for a while. I’m taking to the fields and unsurfaced tracks, down to Dean Brook and Darley, then past the Honeypot (yes, really!) to Willey. I’m on my way home now, heading over the hill to Deancorner and along the farm lane back towards the start. A pleasant afternoon – it’s good to be out.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367695&Y=300145&A=Y&Z=120
Barmouth Bridge
Friday 26 January: we’re off to the Welsh coast, to see the rebuilt Barmouth Bridge – a remarkable bit of engineering and planning. We’re going by rail, a journey which suffers half-an-hour delay on the way back – leading to unanticipated bonuses at Machynlleth. Silver linings? This little cloud proved to have a golden lining!
There are more photos of the rail-related aspects of this outing and a couple of interesting video links on Geoff’s Rail Pages – visit The new Barmouth Bridge for the full story
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Heading south
Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries – photos and an account of my journey from Kyle of Lochalsh to Dunbar on 13 January. Travel “South from Kyle” – now!
Bedlam to Coalbrookdale
A regular good leg-stretch – up and over from Bedlam furnaces to Coalbrookdale, down Coach Road to the riverside, and back to the start through Ironbridge. If I time it right, I’ll stay dry…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367300&Y=303980&A=Y&Z=120
Skye: day 6 – to the bothy
Thursday 11 January: my last day of wandering, and the weather’s beginning to change. It remains calm and dry, but there’s more cloud about. Tomorrow there are domestic duties to attend to, and on Saturday, I begin my journey home. Today I’m walking the first stretch of the Skye Trail, to the bothy high above Rubha Hunish, the most northerly point of the island. In better times, I’d be down the very steep path to the spit of land below, where lies that northern tip, but it could be icy, and if I did go down there, it would be dark before I got back to the start. I’ll content myself with wonderful sea views, and some beautiful light as the sun sinks on this exceptional week on Skye.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=141525&Y=875598&A=Y&Z=120
