21 May: The car has taken us down to Camas Mor, where the rocks of Sgeir Lang jut into the bay. They provide shelter for a slipway which was probably of great value to local fishermen once – I don’t think it’s used much today. The rocks are perfect for a quiet exploration on a dry and calm evening following a damp day.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=137039&Y=870788&A=Y&Z=120
20 May: That’s its Gaelic name. In English, it’s Bornaskitaig. Yes, we’re at our northern office, for just over a week on Skye. We haven’t chosen a very good week – a rainy spell seems to have arrived with us. The evening looks like staying dry, though there are showers around. We’ll park at the village hall, and wander around the quiet lanes through to the cliff top above Lùb an Sgòir (Score Bay…). The shadows are lengthening, and the clouds looking ominous as we head back towards the car.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=138160&Y=870845&A=Y&Z=120
…along Shirlett Lane on a mid-May evening, for a breath of fresh air. It’s quiet along here, apart from the birdsong, and who could possibly complain about that?
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366090&Y=298085&A=Y&Z=120
It’s not actually raining, but there are spots in the breeze from time to time. We’re walking around Colemore Green – starting out near the old Astley Abbotts school, past Boldings Pools, down through Chestnut Coppice to the old railway track, then back up to the little wayside shop (we’re out of marmalade!). Under a grey sky, today’s interest is in the detail.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=371135&Y=296950&A=Y&Z=120
When the light’s like this, it’s against the law to stay at home. Familiar territory, exceptional illumination!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367515&Y=298310&A=Y&Z=120
Thursday 12 May: Staffordshire – a walk from the Satnall Hills car park, near Milford, through the Shugborough estate to find draught Bass in Great Haywood (no, it doesn’t look like rain! The weather’s better than expected too!). We return beside a tranquil stretch of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal to complete a circuit full of interest.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=398720&Y=321695&A=Y&Z=120
Steady rain all morning (we need it!) – then, the forecast suggested, a less-than-perfect afternoon followed by a brighter evening. By 1.30pm it’s looking pretty good – let’s go for it. The ground will be wet away from a good surface – we’ll stick to Shirlett Lane, for a good leg-stretch and some great views in the rain-washed air.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365660&Y=298545&A=Y&Z=120
Bannister’s and Traps Coppices in May. There’s a big clump of rhododendron in Bannister’s, and in Traps the early purple orchids are in bloom – there are 60 or more flower heads in one small area. The wild garlic is everywhere! Becoming sunnier as the afternoon wears on, it’s very pleasant under the trees today.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=362150&Y=302080&A=Y&Z=120
Walking down to Coalport, for tea and cakes beside the former china works, now a museum (to answer the obvious question – no, the YHA café serves on everyday earthenware – nevertheless, the cakes are great!). As we plod steadily back up the dingle, there’s a pleasant pong – the wild garlic is in full bloom. Snowdrifts in May!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=369245&Y=301430&A=Y&Z=120
… following a showery afternoon (we’d have got soaked!). There’s not much light (other than in the far distance) but it’s very pleasant around these quiet lanes.
View OS map in Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367470&Y=298250&A=Y&Z=120
geoffspages.blog 