I don’t know where to start! Should I focus on the glorious weather we’re blessed with here in the Calder Valley (and mention its downsides), or should I focus on the wider world which seems to be going mad, both environmentally and politically? Maybe best to stick locally for now – otherwise this could turn into a very long blog indeed…
Today’s been another in a series where we’ve had wall to wall sunshine, and I’m loving it. This is my sort of weather. I’ve always been partial to sunny climes so this sort of weather’s right up my street. If anything it’s making me pine for South-East Asia and a beach or two. Let’s face it, what’s the UK got to offer from here? Bridlington on the East coast, or maybe Blackpool on the West. These are not the images I conjure up when I imagine a beach. Think more palm trees, coral reefs and hammocks rather than donkeys and ‘kiss me quick’ hats. Still, let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth, so I’ll make the most of things here whilst I can.
The day wasn’t all about basking in the sun. I’ve been busy picture editing, including the HS2 tunnel breakthrough pictures I promised yesterday (which you can find here). Having those sorted meant that I could back-up pictures to different hard-drives as insurance before sending links to various magazines who may be interested.
Work done I enjoyed a walk down into Sowerby Bridge, dropping off our old Virgin internet kit en-route (sorry, Virgin) ready to be returned. Time in the village has provided today’s picture, which is rather topical. Here’s the pound below Tuel Lane lock.
It’s dry due to a lack of water feeding the canal, thus severing the route from the West to the East. This isn’t unusual nowadays as the canal relies on water running off the nearby hills. Except when it doesn’t. The canal above and below Tuel Lane locks are full, but this is the deepest lock on the UK canal network, so the amount of water it uses is massive.
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It’s the start of another week here in West Yorkshire, where the weather’s gracing us with wall to wall sunshine – as it did over the weekend, although we couldn’t take full advantage and our plans to go walking changed as Dawn wasn’t feeling her best. I was going to say she was under the weather, but considering what the weather was like I thought better of it!
However, we did still manage to get out and I got the opportunity to stock up on summer annuals from a garden centre which we’d not tried before. I finally managed to find trailing Lobelia, which has been noticeable by its absence from our usual outlets. With plants aplenty, Sunday was spent clearing away the debris and dead plants from the terrace at the back of the cottage. Winter hadn’t been kind, causing me to lose many old established garden occupants, so I took the opportunity to rejig what we have and replace many of the smaller pots and troughs with ones more likely to survive the hot, dry conditions we’re seeing this year – with rain in very short supply (and likely to be for the foreseeable future). I’ve still got some work to do, but the terraces and troughs are looking much better. Hopefully, the new planting will provide sustenance for the occupants of our two nesting boxes, where we have both birds and bees!
Today I’ve been busy editing and captioning pictures from Friday’s HS2 and Midlands media trip, you can find which galleries they’ve been added to by following this link. I’ll have the HS2 collection done tomorrow as another day working from home beckons. Hopefully, I’ll get out with the camera again later in the week as the forecast is excellent for several days yet. I’ll leave you with a picture from today, which was taken on this afternoon’s stroll around the valley when I was looking for alternative photo sites.
The Wainhouse Tower dominates the horizon and looks magnificent against a cloudless sky.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Oh, God. Another silly o’clock start. I’m getting too old for this! Right job I’m sat in the hotel lobby waiting for a taxi which will take me to this morning’s event – details of which later as I’m respecting their media embargo.
06:10.
Ok, I’m now on site, and a lot of other media are arriving, so you’ll see why I’m here plastered all over TV soon. Here’s a clue..
06:25.
Time for a safety briefing.
07:05.
OK. Here’s why I’m here at an ungodly hour.See this concrete wall, I the next hour or so an HS2 tunnel boring machine will be poking its head through after completing the first of the Bromford tunnels.
Look who’s here!
10:30.
Job done! The TBM broke through far quicker than was anticipated. So much so that the machine had to be halted in order to let other VIPs and guests arrive for the main event. These things are not an exact science and can’t be timed to the minute. When the breakthrough was complete some of the TBM crew displayed flags from the nations involved in the project – although I’m not sure anyone expected an Everton flag to put in a brief appearance!
I have to say, finishing a job by 09:30 is rather nice – especially when the weather’s so good. My colleague John Whitehouse (the only other member of the rail media attending) gave me a lift from the site to Stechford station. Now I’m exploring the W Midlands rail network to add some library pictures to my archive – some of which will appear here as I relate my travels.
11:00.
Bugger! I travelled up to Wolverhampton on a local service with the idea of trying the tram back towards the city – only to find none were running due to a power failure. Ironic when the trams run on battery along this section of line! Still, the rebuilt station looks good.
Maybe I’ll try again later. Right now, I’m on my way to Tame Bridge Parkway…
12:45.
Travelling to Tane was an inter experience as it took me a long way into the past- as well as the future. The line from Wolves as far as Bescot wasn’t a regular passenger route for decades – unless it was weekend diversions in BR days. Now, two new stations are under construction on that section of the line.
Sadly, the Bescot area has gone in the opposite direction. I first got to know it back in early 1977 when I was in digs in Walsall, looking for work in the lock trade to continue my apprenticeship. I’d nip out to Bescot in my free time to watch the cast amount of freight passing through the marshalling yard and locomotive movements of the depot. Now, the depots canister and the yard is just a fan of empty and rusting sidings.
19:00.
Time (and I) have moved on. I’ve abandoned the West Midlands for Lancashire, having retraced yesterdays steps to Preston. My attempts to get traverse sections of the West Midlands tram network were foiled completely when I found the power outage I’d encountered in Wolverhampton had affected the whole network, including central Birmingham! Instead I took a circular route by rail back to Wolverhampton where I could mix basking in the sun with some photography. After topping up my vitamin D levels I headed back into Brum for a final time before catching an Avanti Pendolino North. I’ll add a few pictures from my trip when I get home. Right now I’m on a Northern Class 331 heading for Manchester via Chorley. I have to admit, these electric versions of the Class 195s can certainly shift. Their ability to accelerate seems to beat all the older kit Northern possesses. This six car formation is rather quiet, so I’ve had no problems setting up the mobile office in order to blog en-route. Sadly, the train’s accelerative properties are rather wasted as we’ve been signal-checked at Buckshaw Parkway in order to let a late-running Trans-Pennine Express service get ahead of us, but I should have ample time to make my next connection at Salford Crescent.
20:15.
My connections proved to be more touch and go than I thought as my late runner caused my connection to Manchester Victoria to be late as it was following behind. As it was, I made the 19:57 to Leeds with 3 minutes to spare. This is another quiet train, so I’m relaxing whilst enjoying the glorious evening sunshine. I must admit, I’ll be glad to get home. It’s been a long day!
I might get a little lie-in tomorrow, but the plan is for Dawn and I to make the most of the weather and get out into the countryside for the day. Well, I say plan – we haven’t actually got one yet – and no idea of where we’re going to go!
22:00.
OK, as promised, some more pictures from today.
Coming down in chunks!After the breakthrough the TBM crew appeared through the cutter head to display flags representing some of the nationalities working on the site.Flying the flags of Malaysia, England and Donegal. Rail Minister Lord Hendy was in attendance.How the site looks from above ground. The TBM is behind me as I look towards Birmingham.
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It’s time to head to Preston to meet up with an old friend, although his journey is proving to be ‘interesting’ due to problems on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) – hardly a rare occurrence. Apparently, an Avanti Pendolino has hir an obstruction in the four-foot near Grayrigg (a name infamous in railway history) and become disabled. Needless to say, this is causing fun on the two-track railway North of Preston.
Fortunately, my train doesn’t reach the WCML until just before Preston, so doesn’t seem to be affected. Time will tell…
Today’s a good day not to be working from home as we’re shifting our internet provider. I’ve been with Virgin for over 20 years (and can’t fault their broadband, but their prices have got silly. Despite my loyalty it’s not been possible to get s decent deal. Dawn took over dealing with the account and did a sterling job, but Virgin’s attitude was ‘take it or leave it’. So we left. Dee found us an excellent deal with Sky which is saving us over £50 a month, so switching has been a no-brainer. The switch-over happens this afternoon. I do feel a bit guilty for not being there, but I know Dawn won’t take any messing!
Right now I’m on my way to Preston aboard Northern’s 11:30 service to Blackpool North. It’s a half-full train where I have the luxury of a table seat, power-sockets and wifi, so I’m not complaining.
12:30.
Almost there on what’s been a very pleasant journey. Unusually, the train emptied out en-route, the sun’s put in an appearance and all’s well with the world. Well, for me anyway. Next stop – Preston.
19:45.
Where did the time go? I got to Preston only to find my meet-up with a friend was far more convivial and much more of a trip down memory lane than I’d expected. It turned out that Jon had also invited a lot of old friends from his British Railways (and Virgin) days. As you can imagine, the stories flowed, as did the memories as those of us who hadn’t seen each other for a while caught up. Here’s the gang in a classic old pub, the Black Horse. It’s not my photo by the way (the barmaid took it) which is why I’m in it for once!
Now I’m in Birmingham. A few of us caught the same Pendolino South, bailing out en-route so leaving me the sole member of the group by the train hit Birmingham.
Having delivered me from Preston, Pendolino 390002 waits time at Birmingham New St before heading for London Euston.
Now I’m relaxing and updating this blog from my hotel – which is another trip down memory lane. I’m staying in the Britannia Inns hotel in New St, just a stones-throw from the station. I’ve known this place of old as it was always a cheap and cheerful option when I was working in the area. It’s being refurbished and upgraded but the prices are still very reasonable. It’s not somewhere you’d come and stay for a romantic weekend – but it’s ideal for what I need.
Having checked in to my hotel and rested I’ll be nipping out shortly to get a few pictures, so expect another update later…
22:45
The last update. I’d intending doing a lot but happy circumstance meant that I pumped into an old train-driver friend outside Birmingham New Street which literally stopped me in my tracks. Danielle and I ended up chatting for ages. By the time we’d finished catching-up and had to part my plans were out of the window. But that’s been no bad thing as today’s been more about people than anything else. Still, here’s a Birmingham tram to end the day.
Now I’ve got to go as I have to be up at silly ‘o clock in the morning for a rather different day…
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My blog drought is about to come to an interesting end! This enforced absence has been due to a number of reasons but the time hasn’t been wasted. I spent all of yesterday holed-up at Bigland Towers having a good old mooch through various hard-drives in order to find some missing pictures. Mission accomplished, I’ll be adding them to my Zenfolio website shortly. Whilst that took up considerable time, so did cleaning out my email inbox, deleting lots of stuff no longer relevant but also filing some historical stuff. That endeavor proved useful as I was in my account when a very last-minute media invitation arrived which has completely changed the course of the rest of the week. The invite is embargoed, so I can’t say anything about what I’ll be doing until afterwards, other than that it’s altered my plans for both Thursday and Friday. Tomorrow I’ll be back on the rails heading to Preston on the West Coast to meet an old friend before having that evening/night in Birmingham as Friday’s event starts early (very early).
That means there’s two days of rolling blogs to come. Hopefully, you’ll find them entertaining and the event I’ll be attending fascinating as it’s something few people get to witness. The weather over the next few days is looking like it’s going to play ball, meaning both myself and the camera will be getting plenty of exercise as I’ll have spare time to collect library shots of the changing face of the railway, especially around Birmingham where the new West Midlands train fleets are taking over.
In the meantime, I’ll leave you with today’s pictures which is one from the series I took when I was out and about last week. The warm weather’s brought out the insect population en-masse, which isn’t much fun for train drivers, especially those at the controls of the older, less streamlined fleets (although many modern trains are struggling too). Here’s how the front of a Class 150 looked at Wigan…
Drivers visibility has been hampered by the sheer build up of flying critters on train front-ends. Windscreen washers are in danger of running out of water, so some busy stations have had extra staff drafted in to keep water supplies topped up and assist in cleaning.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
I’m afraid there’s not been many blogs from me recently for a variety of reasons, but I’m determined to put that right from next week. It’s not that I haven’t been doing stuff or have nothing to say, it’s merely the fact certain things have got in the way. I’ve a whole host of things I want to blog about (not least Friday’s election results) but time’s been at a premium and the muse hasn’t been with me.
However, I’m here now, having spent the day wondering just where the glorious weather we had recently has disappeared to. Compared to Friday when the two of us were basking in glorious weather whilst walking in Derbyshire, today’s seemed perishing with temperatures that have struggled to get into double figures. Bank holiday Monday’s not looking much better either, but at least it’s not raining.
Much of my day’s been spent editing pictures from the last weeks travels. I’ve uploaded the majority of them to to my Zenfolio website this evening but there’s still more to add tomorrow. With that done I can start to think about word-smithing.
Anyway, I’ll leave you with one image from Friday’s walk. Here’s how the Ladybower reservoir looked from high in the hills above.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Hi folks – I’m back! I’ve still got a lot of blogs to post from our recent trip to Shropshire which I’ll do as soon as possible, but today I offer a rolling blog as I’m off for a mooch around Manchester. This past week has seen some lovely sunny weather and warm temperatures. Today there’s not a cloud in the sky, so it’s my chance to make the most of the conditions by getting out with the camera. I’m currently on Northern’s 09:22 from Sowerby Bridge. As you’d expect, my 4-car train is busy with day-trippers doing the same as me – making the most of the weather! But, I’ve managed to find space on a table, set up the mobile office and type this.
Expect further updates throughout the day…
10:20.
My first stop across the Pennines was Rochdale. It’s a place full of history, from famous (and infamous people) to interesting architecture. The famous include entertainers like Gracie Fields and Lisa Stansfield. The infamous are on the political spectrum – Cyril Smith and ‘Gorgeous’ George Galloway, both former MPs, although Galloway (predictably) lasted a matter of months. Outside the station where electric trams and buses now whizz by, pollution-free and near silent – are two contrasting architectual styles. A Christian church that wouldn’t look out of place in Greece and a former fire station that (due to its Indo-Saracenic style tower) could quite easily fit into New Delhi!
Greece meets India!
Now I’m on the move again, this time aboard an old Northern Class 156 bound for Headbolt Lane on Merseyside. Well, the train is. I’m not!
11:00.
I changed trains again at Salford Central, a station that’s spent most of 2025 closed as it’s being rebuilt with new platform and subway canopies (pictures later). Both the station and area have changed out of all recognition these past 20 years. At least now, the station’s keeping up with it’s surrounds. I left abroad my third class of train of the day – a Clitheroe bound Class 150. First stop was Salford Crescent, which I’ll describe on my return. My train filled up with several groups of young women, which made me think the station should be subtitled ‘lip-filler’ central! If this train comes yo a sudden stop, there’s going to be a lot of women stuck to window like rubber suckers! I appreciate that beauty is subjective (feminine beauty doubly so) and that U’m from a different generation, but I struggle to understand what’s attractive about making your mouth look like a prolapsed arse.
Anyway, most of the Donald Duck appreciation society left the train at the next stop – as did I. I’m now at Bolton.
11:50
I didn’t linger in Bolton, staying just long enough to grab a few pictures between trains. The stations’ massive platforms are a legacy of 1904 when it was rebuilt to cope with trains carrying 1000s of millworkers to the seaside during the annual ‘Wakes weeks’ they drown modern trains, even 5 cars. Sadly, timekeeping has gone out of the window here, and I suspect one member of traincrew is going to be issued with a ‘please explain’…
Oops!
Right now, I’m aboard an old friend – a former Thameslink class 319 EMU, which Porterbrook converted to a bi-mode Class 769. This will carry me along the newly electrified line from Lostock to Wigan.
14:00.
The ‘Oops’ factor has spread! After having a pleasant interlude taking pictures and basking in the sun at Wigan North Western station, I’ve returned to Wallgate to head back to Manchester, but it’s all going a bit ‘Pete Tong’. An earlier train failure (door issues) means the timetable’s a work of fiction at this point. A series of trains are running from Wallgate to Manchester Victoria non-stop in order to get trains and crew where they need to be – but I’m heading for Hindley…
17:00.
I’ve moved on a bit! My stop at Hindley was brief- just long enough to grab pictures of the station now that the overhead wires are complete. This gas involved cutting back a lot of trees. Work that’s opened out the fabulous station garden built up over so many years by the station friends group. Of course, the friends of Hindley station do so much more than gardening, which is why they’re always in the top three at the Community Rail Awards.
Network Rail’s new (not terribly aesthetic) contributions to the Hindley station gardens!
Moving on, I caught another bi-mode 769 to Salford Crescent, where I stopped to admire the work on installing the station’s 3rd platform – which is coming on apace.
Now, after spending some time getting pictures at Piccadilly, I’ve made it out to Hyde, where I’m hoping to have a drink with a few other railway friends…
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
The 3rd day of our adventure saw us staying local to Church Stretton for most of the day, taking the chance to enjoy the dry weather and improving forecast in order to explore some of the excellent walks around the area. What’s great about staying in the town is the walks are literally on your doorstep, there’s no need to drive anywhere. Ours started by heading uphill from where we’re staying. En-route we passed this lovely little fairy grotto someone had installed in a tree.
At the top of Hazler Rd we left tarmac to head off into the hills and climbed up to our first port of call – Gaerstones. It’s not too strenuous a climb and it’s well worth it for the views.
The lone sign…
Moving on along past the stones we dropped down towards the valley between the stones and heavily wooded Helwith Hill which was full of bluebells. Skirting the edge of the woods we crossed over the steam at the bottom of the valley to begin our climb up Caer Caradoc. Despite the dry weather we’ve been having this area was still very muddy. That soon changed as we began the very steep climb – the toughest part of the walk – to get as far as here, Three Fingers Rock. It’s at the Southern end of the ridge so has great views over Church Stretton.
The rocks are at 360m above sea level, which means you gain just under another 100m as you walk along the ridge to get to the top of Caer Caradoc, which is the site of an old hillfort. Whilst walking between the two I caught this shot of a Transport for Wales service heading through the valley on its way from Cardiff to Manchester.
Whilst the weather was dry and not too windy there was a significant amount of haze which reduced visibility – as you can see from this next few looking North from atop Caer Caradoc.
Looking over to the Lawley (left) with Yell bank to the right.
We chose to descend via a different route which was another steep drop to little Caradoc then along the eastern base of the hill to gain access to footpaths which took us over the busy A49 and the adjacent railway to access All Stretton village and a blissfully flat walk along the road back into Church Stretton where we stopped for a well-earned drink before heading home.
That wasn’t the end of our day as we decided to explore further, only this time in the car by driving to nearby Much Wenlock in order to explore the town. It’s a pretty little place with some amazing half-timbered old buildings like this, but it was dead. All the shops seem to shut at 4pm, leaving the place bereft of life. Whilst looking pretty as a picture, it’s not a place I could imagine living as there’s little to do there. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be a teenager growing up in such a place. Still, it allowed me to get a few useful pictures like this.
Much Wenlock Guildhall dates from 1540. Sadly, it was closed when we arrived as the rooms inside sound fascinating (see link). The area underneath is still in regular use for the town’s market.
By now it was time to head home after a tiring an enjoyable day in order to enjoy a quiet night at home and recharge our batteries for another hill walk the next day.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
This morning the weather was less than kind to us here in Church Stretton. We were greeted by low, grey clouds over the Long Mynd along with sporadic showers, so we were in no rush to get out. When we did the plan that developed was to drive down to Leominster across the border into Herefordshire. It’s a town I’ve never visited although I’ve passed through by train many times.
Our experience of Leominster was mixed. Architecturally it’s fascinating with building design spanning hundreds of years. The layout of much of the town centre is still mediaeval, although many buildings have been replaced (not always sympathetically). But, compared Ludlow to it’s very shabby. Many of the buildings are in a poor state of repair. Plus, there’s a lot of vacant properties. But what the town centre does have in abundance is seamstresses and antique shops. Hence Drapers Lane.
Here’s another couple of pictures from Leominster.
I love the old shop windows here. Talk about in need of some TLC. Subsidence is a real issue for old buildings in this neck of the woods.
Escaping Herefordshire and its bad roads (noticeably different to Shropshire) we headed back to Ludlow for lunch and a mooch around a town which we really like. It’s far better maintained and more affluent than Leominster, although you can see a common heritage.
The last original gate in the former walled town of Ludlow, with a handy pub outside.
Today was one of the market days so a good time to have a wander. At lunchtime lunch we we ate at Kin Kitchen on Old St, which is a modern cafe bar in an old building they’ve refurbished. If the weather’s good there’s a great garden at the back. Both of us opted for the Meze plate which was really tasty.
After lunch we continued our exploration of the town. The variety of old buildings is fascinating – as are the nooks and crannies with cottages tucked away in the most unlikely places. Whilst the properties look amazing I’d hate to think what the maintenance costs must be as it’s obvious Ludlow suffers similar subsidence problems to Leominster. We stopped for on last drink in what’s allegedly the oldest pub in Ludlow, the Rose and Crown. It’s another Joule’s brewery pub which offers a good range of ales and also serves food.
Back at Church Stretton we had a relaxing evening at home. Dawn cooked another amazing veggie meal whilst I nipped out to get a couple of pictures at the railway station.
A Transport for Wales Class 150 calls at Church Stretton whilst working 2V30, the 1835 Shrewsbury to Swansea service via the Heart of Wales line.One of Transport for Wales hired-in Class 67s thunders through the station non-stop on 1W96, the 1722 Cardiff Central to Holyhead.
Tomorrow we’ll be staying local to enjoy the improving weather and local walks.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
We’re currently putting the finishing touches to our packing before heading off to Church Stretton in Shropshire which will be our new home for the next four nights. It’s an area I know well and one that we’ve explored before – but a town the two of us haven’t actually stayed in previously. Shropshire is a underrated and undiscovered county by many, which makes it more enjoyable as it’s not rammed with tourists, yet it has some fantastic walking, picturesque towns and historic sites.
I’ll blog (on and off) through the day so feel free to pop back to see how the day unfolds. Here’s a view of Church Stretton taken from the Long Mynd during our previous visit in 2021.
16:30.
Arrived!
It took just over two and a half hours to drive here via the M62, M6, and M54, then across country following the A49 for most of the way. The motorways (especially the M62) were mad. Traffic was heavy, and the standards of driving appalling. Undertaking was endemic and indicating an optional extra. At one point, some daft woman driving a mini threw a length of toilet roll out of her window, which stuck to the front of our car! Thankfully, the A49 was a lot calmer.
Right now we’re settling into our accommodation, which is gorgeous.
20:20.
We’ve returned to Bigland Towers in exile after spending the afternoon exploring Church Stretton town centre – which wasn’t hard as most of it had already shut for the day at 5pm! That didn’t stop us window shopping or admiring the architectural variety of the town, with buildings from the Tudor, Victorian and Edwardian era much in evidence. There’s some real gems too. On a more modern note, the town boasts a large and well provisioned Co-op where we managed to pick up the supplies we needed, after which we popped into the oldest pub in town, the Kings Arms – which dates back to 1593. This gem of a pub serves beers from Joule’s, a brewery based in Market Drayton and one I’d not encountered before.
Whilst quaffing an IPA (or in Dawn’s case an alcohol free lager) the pair of us planned the next few days adventures and explorations around the area which will be a mix of exploring market towns and countryside – with plenty of walking thrown in.
Here’s a few pictures from our stroll.
The pub’s been tastefully refurbished in recent years, keeping the original features whilst adding sympathetic new touches.
Tomorrow we’ll wake up to this view from out living room window which looks out across town to the Long Mynd.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Paul Bigland 