…but where did I take it from? All will be revealed in due course.
Tag: Shropshire
Who could forget Leander?
Friday’s steam special left Shrewsbury, heading for Crewe and ultimately Dumfries, soon after 4pm. It was moving along nicely at Battlefield (site of the battle of Shrewsbury more than 600 years ago) a few minutes later. Pictures taken, we headed for home – I was due out again later in the evening. No time for blogs. Almost forgot…
It’s a popular spot, hence the letterbox crop to lose parked cars and photographers along the bottom. There were some fairly obtrusive power cables and a pylon too, but they’ve gone (crop and Photoshop), and the Shropshire hills would have provided a backdrop, had the air been clearer.
Dudmaston in spring
Rain is threatened – better not stray too far. A wander around Dudmaston might be pleasant? It was! Spring is really getting going here – and not just the flora. The swans on the lake are quite excited about it, and the geese are honking happily. Just out of sight in the Severn valley, the steam trains whistle as they clatter along, a far more relaxing sound than the motorcycles screaming along the A442…
Dudmaston NT
Langley Chapel
We’d driven past once or twice, but never looked more closely. The last regular service was held here in 1871, according to English Heritage, its owners. They also say it was one of the first historic buildings to be taken into the care of the state – in 1914! It’s in the middle of nowhere (i.e roughly half-way between Acton Burnell and Kenley, perhaps 10 miles to the south of Shrewsbury), built for the farm nearby, Langley Hall (itself worth a second glance), when presumably it was of some significance in the area. A remarkable little building – heavy, rather plain and rustic oak pews (and box pews), very simple, very quiet ( a perfect brief Good Friday outing – there’s no-one else here!), and kept clean and tidy despite its long redundancy.
A last look
The morning’s sun has gone, but it’s a fine afternoon at Attingham, where we’re taking a last look at the snowdrops – their season is nearly past. We’ll look at the deer too – and unexpected nuthatches by the hide, who are quite reluctant to pose for the camera…
Attingham on a sunny afternoon
A sunny afternoon (especially after a wet night and morning) is too good to waste at this time of year! We’ll have a walk around Attingham Park – the footpaths shouldn’t be too bad there, and the longest route is a reasonable leg-stretch. We can say hello to the crocodile* in the far pool (he wasn’t there! Where’s he gone? Warmer climes perhaps)…
*see “Snowdropping” Feb 2015
Towers and chimneys
Ironbridge, on a cold January afternoon.
To Coalport
Beautiful sunshine from an almost-cloudless blue sky – and a biting wind, the air temperature barely above freezing. We’ll be out of the wind in the valley – unfortunately, there’s little sunshine down there at this time of year.
Grey day at Ironbridge
A walk down to the river – a breath of fresh air on a cold grey afternoon. We’d better not dawdle – rain is forecast for later in the day.
Bridgnorth on Boxing Day
We’re out for a leg stretch and a breath of fresh air, on a mild but windy Boxing Day afternoon. The centre of Bridgnorth is busy, but we’re taking a quieter route away from the crowds. There’s a train due to leave the station – we’d better go and have a look…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=371482&Y=292741&A=Y&Z=115
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