Figures in the landscape

On 13 Jan 2023 By geoffspagesIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

After successfully recording 61306 Mayflower hurrying along near Allscott (see previous post) we had two remaining needs – a leg-stretch on this fine, cold and breezy afternoon – and lunch (which we’d foregone in order to see the train, which was due at about 1pm). “There’s a little cafe in the woods at Haughmond Hill”. The bacon sandwiches were excellent. The walk was enjoyable – it’s a popular spot, so there are others about, but they seemed to know how to place themselves to lend scale to the extensive views.

Uffington and the distant Breidden hills

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Mayflower

On 13 Jan 2023 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways...2 Comments

An old friend: 61306 was the last of the LNER’s B1 class in normal BR service, withdrawn in September 1967 and going straight into preservation. I photographed it a number of times on steam specials in the late 1970s (it received the name ‘Mayflower’ in 1976), but for one reason or another we’d failed to meet since then. This week it’s been in action on the Crewe circular test route (driver training? I don’t know): today we saw and photographed it near the site of Allscott sugar factory, getting along very nicely at 60mph or thereabouts. For once, the sun and the wind behaved themselves…

(Click the image for a larger view)

River’s up…

On 12 Jan 2023 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hillsLeave a comment

So are the flood barriers in Ironbridge. At present they’re there as a precaution, though the water’s almost onto the Wharfage. We’d better walk down and take a look…

High tide at Attingham

On 09 Jan 2023 By geoffspagesIn NT and EH, Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Hardly – tidal waters are much further down the Severn. However, the local rivers are in flood, and where the Tern flows through Attingham Park, it overspills to form a lake, very scenic in this afternoon’s bright sunshine. The ducks and geese seem to be enjoying it too. We can’t follow our usual route today – part of the estate is closed (did the sign say something about herd management? Expect venison in the shop…), so instead we’re just wandering, with an eye to the sparkling waters of Lake Tern…

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Kites over Cardington

On 08 Jan 2023 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

An afternoon that improved! Dull and damp at first, the sun came out for the last hour or so: low, strong and golden, a spotlight creating at times unreal effects. Kites? Well, they keep moving around, making them difficult to count and photograph. Certainly five, probably six – maybe more. Twenty years ago, seeing just one kite in the Shropshire sky would have made it a red-letter day!

... but there's a hint of better things to come

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Beating the rain

On 07 Jan 202314 Jan 2023 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

There’s wet weather around – heavy showers are forecast, possibly with hail, for later this afternoon. We’ll have an early lunch and get out sooner than usual – perhaps we can beat the rain? We needn’t go far: Willey should be fine, in more ways than one.

Less than an hour after we’re home again, it’s started. Great timing!

Clouds are thickening - the last we'll see of the sun

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Woodland

On 04 Jan 202304 Jan 2023 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

A mild and breezy afternoon in Comer Woods. As well as the usual sights, there’s a brief glimpse of a muntjac down by the pools. I’m struggling to get a decent view, and the light’s gone – then it’s gone too!

Last year's cygnets will be this year's swans

... a muntjac (complete with camera shake!)

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A long look around Cound

On 02 Jan 2023 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Playing with a long lens… We’d intended to go to Attingham, but when we saw several hundred other cars parked there, with yellow-jacketed wardens waving us off to far-flung corners, we realised that it wasn’t going to be a quiet wander. Cound was busy too – five other cars in the Guild Hall car park…

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The following year…

On 01 Jan 2023 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

We last got out for a leg-stretch on Christmas Day – which of course was last year. Since then, weather and family commitments have kept us in – until today. The weather nearly defeated us – several rumbles of thunder around mid-day, and some heavy showers. It was raining as we set off in the car: ever-optimistic, we persevered and had a very pleasant short wander up to Plaish and back (the route we followed in November, but widdershins… See The Plaish triangle). Yes, we’ve started 2023 as we mean to go on – Happy New Year everyone!

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A Christmas tradition

On 25 Dec 2022 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Eat early and get out for a leg stretch! The lanes around Willey are ideal – very quiet, exceptionally so on this still afternoon. Despite our intentions, the light is fading rapidly by the time we’re back to the car. Merry Christmas everyone!