Properly known as fly agaric, it was a nephew’s apt malapropism many years ago. A couple of them caught our eyes as we walked along Shirlett Lane – they were duly recorded by the camera. It’s an out-and-back walk, but “things look different in the other direction”. They certainly did. The Reeves’s pheasant was perhaps rather overdressed for these parts. He was around on the outward walk, hard to see in the undergrowth, but determined to pose for us on our return. A little further on, there are the two Erics – and beyond them (we hadn’t noticed them earlier) dozens more, in amongst the trees beside the lane. Despite being past their best, they brighten up a dull morning.

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Walking from Wenlock – down the old wagonway to Traps Coppice and Seven Springs Farm, then through Bannister’s Coppice, beside Sheinton Brook and across sheepy fields to Homer. A stiff climb up the Edge brings us back to Much Wenlock.

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It could rain – we won’t go far today. In the event, the forecast was gloomier than reality – at worst, a dampness in the air, no more. As well as the leaves turning  and/or falling, there are more toadstools than we’ve seen for a while. I think the squirrels have had all the nuts though.

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It’s one of those places where, despite frequent visits, there are always interesting ways to discover and explore.

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Yesterday’s rain has cleared the air, and it’s much colder – we’ll need to keep moving. It’s a route we first followed just over a year ago – from Wall-under-Heywood to Rushbury, then up Gilberries Lane to Cardington, returning past Stoneacton. It’s a fairly steady ascent to the highest point at the Sharpstones – then an easy mile-and-a-bit back to the start. Very pleasant, quiet country!

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A wet morning, and probably a wet afternoon – but likely to be dry around lunchtime. We’ll walk from Bedlam, over to Coalbrookdale and back down to Ironbridge and the riverside.

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A familiar route with a different start, on Telegraph Lane and down through The Lye (a farm and a couple of houses). It’s a steep ascent to Meadowley, then a level walk on a farm track along an airy ridge. Lastly (after a chocolate stop) we return to The Lye through the seclusion of Underton.

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We start where we usually begin our Harnage and Kenley walk, but today we’re heading down the lane and path towards Cressage. There, we’ll follow the Sheinton road, before heading up through the farm at Belswardyne and across the fields to Harley. Soon we’re back at the start. Other than the crossing (twice!) of the busy main road, it’s very quiet along these lanes, tracks and paths – just one other walker, out with two small dogs.

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