Sorry. This blog has nothing to do with pumpkins, ghouls, tricks or treats. It just happens to be 31 October, and it rhymes with (Church) Preen. Whatever the date, it’s a fine and pleasant afternoon in this quiet part of the county below Wenlock Edge, and it looks as though it will rain for the first few days of November, so we’re trying to make the most of it…
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There are some obvious attractions in the area around Hope Bowdler – today we’re finding some of the less obvious pleasures in the lanes and tracks to the south of the village just a couple of miles from Church Stretton. There’s more sunshine and blue sky than we expected, though there are some obvious showers here and there. “I hope my washing isn’t getting wet”. The consolation is simple – if we’d decided to walk nearer home, we’d have been soaked too…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=347240&Y=291885&A=Y&Z=120
Making the most of a little sunshine in the lanes around Willey, and enjoying the autumn colours. Can’t remember ever seeing so many berries on the holly! There are just a few spots of very light rain in the air as we return to the start. Willey is somewhere under the rainbow!
View OS map in Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367470&Y=298250&A=Y&Z=120
The clocks go back tonight. The only good thing about it is the extra hour in bed tomorrow morning (let’s have a party!). At least it’s a fine afternoon – I’d better make the most of the daylight. Haven’t been to Aldenham for a little while…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366905&Y=295650&A=Y&Z=120
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.
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
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
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
…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
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
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