25 October: We’re exploring the railways of north-west England, using Northern Rail £10 day rover tickets. Trespassers in the south, signalling problems at Piccadilly and cancellations, not forgetting the limitations of tickets which are only valid on Northern Rail services, mean that our plans ‘A’ and ‘B’ have both fallen by the wayside. We’ll settle for a spur-of-the-moment plan ‘C’ – visit “Lunch in Southport” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for the full story.
Mid-autumn at Shirlett
A fine afternoon, cool but with some warm sunshine. Shirlett Lane might be good – there could be some interesting toadstools… There might be a few down Ned’s lane, and perhaps one or two more back up Round Hill. Sadly, there aren’t any fly agarics – they made a splendid display a couple of years ago, and there were more last year. Maybe in a week or two? I’ll have to come back…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366240&Y=297950&A=Y&Z=120
Toadstool time
Fungi in the forest (and chestnuts under the trees). It’s still wet underfoot, but the paths around Comer Woods are mostly mud-free and very walkable. There are lots of interesting fungi, though most seem to be of the same kind, and there are fallen chestnuts everywhere. The squirrels think it’s Christmas!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=374885&Y=289885&A=Y&Z=120
It’s been wet
Water, water everywhere! There’s a temporary lake at Willey, and the roads are running with it. The fields look sodden – I think we’ll be avoiding them for a day or two. At least the clouds are clearing – the sky is becoming blue.
View OS map in Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367470&Y=298250&A=Y&Z=120
Between rainy days…
…there are showery days. Need to time this carefully! It’s a walk around the lanes (too much mud away from hard surfaces) at Cound, always pleasant, never busy. Timing? Perfect – a light shower as we drove home, and a heavier one just after we were back indoors.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=356010&Y=304045&A=Y&Z=120
A day for the hills
Sunday 15 October It’s bright and breezy today. The forecast thinks it will be dry and sunny all day – we really must head for the hills. The Bog Centre will be open – let’s head for the Stiperstones. The views are wonderful, and with the sun lower in the sky now, it’s atmospheric too. Perfect! Now for the tea and cakes!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=336360&Y=298305&A=Y&Z=120
Repeat performance?
About four weeks ago – just before we set off on our trip to the north – I had a very pleasant wander through the fields between Bould Lane and the river (see ‘Run for it!‘). I met three fallow deer, two of which were an unusual dark colour, found a tree very heavily laden with crab apples (perfect for jelly, but I had no means of carrying them), then found my way blocked by a fallen tree. What will I find today? I’ll take a bag…
There were two deer away across the other side of the lower field, by Birch Wood – two of the three I saw last time, I’d guess. They’ve spotted me. Then came the tree – almost all the apples had gone, though I was still able to pick a reasonable quantity (I need much longer arms). The blocked path? No change there! As I retraced my earlier steps, I watched a red kite quartering the far edge of the fields, by the wood. Not a repeat performance, but would I want that? An enjoyable afternoon!
Vies OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=368755&Y=298755&A=Y&Z=120
In Chestnut Coppice
Toadstools, timber and – chestnuts!
The tramway extension
On 6 October, I had a ride from St Andrew Square in Edinburgh down the newly-extended tramway to Leith and Newhaven – and walked back, camera in hand. There’s a sample below; for the full story and photos, visit ‘Trams to Newhaven‘ on Geoff’s Rail Diaries – just published…
Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge – a shortie…
Thursday 12 September A quick leg-stretch – from Bedlam, up the hill and over to Coalbrookdale, then back beside the Severn
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367350&Y=303885&A=Y&Z=120
geoffspages.blog 