It’s another fine, bright and breezy autumn day – warm in the sunshine, cool in the wind. We’re walking through the Dudmaston Hall grounds, out through the fields of the asparagus farm and into Comer Woods. There are lots of cars parked at Dudmaston, but there don’t seem to be many people out and about. Are they all in the tea room? (On this occasion, we’ll never know)
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Not so many years ago, people lived in caves along this part of the Severn Valley. There’s at least one house in Bridgnorth that has a quite significant cave behind a more conventional exterior. These cave dwellings, between the old railway track and the river, haven’t been used for many years – except by the sheep, who probably find them quite cosy on cold wet days.
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A fine, sunny day – perfect for a walk on high ground, with extensive views in all directions… In other words, the Long Mynd’s Portway (approximately), from Robin Hood’s Butts to the Pole Cottage pools. Many others have similar ideas – I’ve never seen the top so crowded (“crowded” is a relative term up here…). Some people are trying to place their small dog on the trig point, so that he can appreciate the view. On the path, some walkers pretend we’re not there as they pass by, carefully avoiding any eye contact. Just smile and say “Hello”, folks! Only yards from Pole Bank, no-one else is interested in those reedy pools behind Pole Cottage, where there’s some welcome peace and quiet. Retracing our steps, a grouse calls out as he flies low over the moor – “go back, go back, go back”. Yes, that’s what we’re doing!
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Coalbrookdale too! It’s going to rain in the early afternoon – we’ll try to make the most of some brightness before lunch.
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…on a fine bright October afternoon. There’s plenty of interest for the camera here.
Hello goodbye! More on Sunday’s outing to Wales on Geoff’s Rail Diaries – visit Farewell Rhiw Valley for the full picture…
Monday: we’re walking down through Chestnut Coppice to the riverbank and the old railway track. There may be some attractive autumn colours – and maybe an interesting toadstool or two? Yes to both – though the most colourful leaves are on the highly-invasive knotweed which is rapidly colonising the riverbank.
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In February 1970 I visited the Zillertalbahn in Austria (a school ski trip – I took a day off when I realised how close we were to the railway). On that snowy day, their steam locomotive no.2 Zillertal was in charge of the passenger service, and I enjoyed no.2’s company on a run up the valley.
Two years ago, newly-overhauled, Zillertal came to Wales, on hire to the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway. I would have visited sooner, but we all know what happened in early 2020. This afternoon, on our way back from the Rhiw Valley, we called in on the W&L – and there, at Raven Square station, was no.2 Zillertal! It’s a long time since we met!
Two visits today – the first to a little railway in a quiet Welsh valley whose waters feed the Severn mid-way between Newtown and Welshpool. The 15″ gauge line in fields beside the river Rhiw was the creation of the late Jack Woodroffe some 50 years ago. Jack died in 1990, but the line has remained in operation with the support of his widow and a group of enthusiasts. Sadly, it seems that all good things must end, and today, after the last open day of the 2022 season, the line was to close. We’d though we’d better pay a final visit.
More photos to follow in a day or two – in the meantime, here are a couple of views of the railway in operation, with the train hauled by 0-4-0 Jack and
0-6-2T Powys.
Rhiw Valley Railway: “The Line that Jack Built”
It’s the 1st today. It feels like October too – not overly warm in the sunshine, cool when the sun’s behind a cloud, and a stiff breeze. One or two showers about, but not enough to spoil the afternoon. Altogether pleasant for a wander along the quiet lanes around Harnage Grange and Kenley…
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