On Sunday I did a lot of complaining about the cold and lack of sunshine. Perhaps the weather gods took pity. At five o’ clock the clouds lifted and the sun came out, and although it was still chilly, we thought a walk was called for. There was a path I had my eye on back in the winter when it was too muddy underfoot to attempt it. But after a couple of downpour-free days and lots of drying wind, I thought it should be passable.
First, though, a spot of orientation by way of some archive photos. Above is Bishop’s Castle High Street as viewed from the Town Hall window. Our street runs parallel to it, behind the ancient timber-framed house in the right hand foreground (the Porch House).
Next is an autumnal view of said street, named Union Street after the Clun Union Workhouse that once occupied the site next door to us, now a care home with a community hospital behind.
Our walk took us uphill, and left between cottages into Laburnum Alley, a shadowy path that runs between old stone walls and gardens. I imagine much of the stonework along this ginnel came from the demolished castle.
The path exits onto Welsh Street near the top of the town. There’s a handy kiosk here selling eggs and garden plants and sundry items that need a good home. I noted the tray of chunky broad bean seedlings, and pots of strawberry plants. There was also a notice advertising baby rabbits for sale.
Just beyond the kiosk are a couple of striking looking barns – a case of scenic dilapidation…
And across the road is The Wintles, an upmarket community of eco-homes, built in the days before eco-homes were quite invented:
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We’re on the edge of town now, and this is the green lane path that had caught my eye. It borders The Wintles’ communal ground of allotment and vineyard.
The verges were bright with stitchwort, wild garlic flowers, cuckoo pint, violets, cranesbill, unfurling ferns and cow parsley just opening, Jack by the Hedge aka Garlic Mustard. The lane was sheltered, but even so, I wished I’d put a hat on. It was easy, then, to promise Graham that this was not a major expedition; simply a brief foray to see where the path led.
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It led us to a gate and wobbly stile into a sheep field. We struggled over. Ahead the pasture rose steeply, and I could tell G’s enthusiasm was waning. Just as far as the horizon, I said, in winning tones.
But once we were in the field, we found ourselves looking at marvellous hill country. On our right stretched the Long Mynd, its westerly flanks bathed in sunshine…
The sight of the hills all around had us striding on and up, now and then stopping to look back on the town. You can see the parish church of St. John the Baptist, dating from the late 1200s, in the second photo. It stands at the foot of the town.
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We were watched of course…
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At the top of the sheep pasture there was another stile and beyond it an increasingly uncommon sight – a ploughed field (no-till farming becoming the norm these days).
But beyond the plough, what a fabulous scene, the hills of the Shropshire-Wales borderland. A hint of The Lost Continent somehow miraculously manifested on our almost doorstep? It was too exciting. And anyway it was at this point we lost sight of where the path actually went. The way marker arrow suggested straight ahead, but tramping on wind-dried plough is v. bad for the ankles.
A retreat was declared. But we’ll be back to discover more.
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Heading for home down Union Street.
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Jo’s Monday Walk Go here for some stunning Portuguese walking.
Tish Farrell 
You’re doing a fine job of selling the virtues of your new home town and its environs Tish.
Many thanks, Margaret. I think I’ve barely scratched the surface from what the locals say 🙂
I enjoy reading about your new adventures..I also see pictures that would make great paintings..wish I could but my talents don’t go there.
Yes, some of those hill scenes would make great paintings. Not my skill either, Beverly. Though we could have go 🙂
my Grandneice would do a wonderful painting. I may talk to here about this. She just won a Ms.Arts award for a painting of Mt mother’s front porch..she is good
That’s a lovely idea.
Thanks for the tour of Bishop’s Castle Tish. I loved it and I hope you take us on more tours.
Happy to take you touring, Anne. There seem to be a lot of trails around the town, so I think I can promise more outings.
😊
I’m impressed that you know so many names of the wild flowers, Tish. And that you persuaded Graham up the hill. You seem so at home in this environment. I hope the sun keeps on shining for you. Thanks for walking with me 🤗🌸
Thank you, Jo. It’s a long time since I walked with you.
It seems to me that you have landed in a wonderful place….
I really think we have, Janet.
I shall enjoy exploring the new places with you. The views of the Shropshire hills are magnificent. Though poor Graham may need a bit more persuading. Or warmth!
I enjoyed the ramble. You have some marvelous views.
We do have good views, Janet. Glad you could come along too 🙂
It is such a beautiful place to explore Tish!
Thanks, Aletta. We’re v. lucky to live in lovely Shropshire.
You are!😊
Loved this ‘virtual walk with you Tish – you describe so well that we readers are right along there with you – I chucked at the proximity to community hospital as I too have one nearby on hand!!! and the best part of ‘your world’ is proximity to town with the rural just a walk away
Yes, proximity is all, isn’t it, Laura. The hospital was closed for a time, but people power has recently brought it back to life.
What a lovely walk – pretty flowers, great views of town and country, and some sweet-looking lambs as a bonus!
The lambs were a treat 🙂
I so enjoyed this.
Thank you, Jennie.
You are welcome.
What a fascinating town with so much history and the scenery is definitely paintable. Loved going on this walk with you Tish
Happy you could come along too, Pauline 🙂
So lovely to go on this walk with you! Gorgeous photos.
Alison
Many thanks, Alison.
What a beautiful little town and the walk is lovely. The sense of history and traditions passed down even in the names of the wild plants is wonderful. It is altogether so different from where we live (and also recently moved to) in South Africa, and it looks absolutely enchanting. I hope you continue to enjoy settling and and learning about the environs.
Many thanks for those good wishes, Carol. And yes, such a different landscape from yours, but both full of their own wonders.
Great walk! I almost feel like I was there. Thanks.
Many thanks, Marilyn.
ah the first explores, always the best and always further than intended as you just have to look around the next corner!
Spot on. Always have to look round the next corner, Becky. Was hoping for another foray this weekend, but the weather is pretty bleak. Still, best foot forward and all that…
so so cold this morning when I went out, but slightly better now – hope it warms up and brightens up for you too later xx
Come what may, I am going to put some spuds in. In the front garden no less. Txx
Thanks for the walk… Looks lovely despite the chilly air.
Lovely to have you along, Brieuc. And the chilliness goes on and on, now with brisk winds.
It still is April. Do you know the French saying:
“En Avril ne te découvre pas d’un fil,
“En Mai, fais ce qu’il te plaît…”
Hang on there. The sun is close by.
The equivalent traditional English saying is ‘N’er cast a clout till May is out’. May could refer to the month, but more probably to ‘May blossom’, as in hawthorn blossom. But thanks for the hanging in there encouragement. Much needed today.
Asante sana for the English saying. I suspect your May would be fresher than ours.
Magnificent walk through Shropshire and magnificent photos as usual. Cheers. And keep on taking those walks and telling us about them.
Thanks, Stephen. Appreciate your encouragement 🙂
Thanks a lot, dear Tish, to take us on this walk. We very much enjoyed it.
All the best
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Lovely Fab Four, thanks for coming along 🙂
Beautiful photographs and descriptions of your walk. I’m in the process of selling my house with the intention of moving to Bishop’s Castle – it’s my favourite place in the world – so to find your blog on a day which is sunny and making me really want to be there RIGHT NOW is such a blessing.
Thank you!
Many thanks for that lovely comment, Hayley. Good luck with the house selling and moving.