When I left the house I only meant to go to the Post Office, this to be in time for card posting to the US. But then just as I was setting off I also picked up my camera. From the start, then, it was likely there would be diversions.
Outside the front door I had a choice – take the five minute direct way along the main road whose pavement was now heaped with dirty snow, or step straight across to Station Road and into Snowland.
Snowland won of course. If I went this longer way I knew I could see what was what along the Linden Walk. There could be photo opportunities…
…and then next I’d take the field path known locally as the Cutlins, from where, no matter the weather, you always have one of the best views of the town. This is where I stopped to take the header photo.
The path brings you to the perimeter of Wenlock Priory. Once you are down there and through the kissing gate, you can just see the ruins through the trees…
And it was at this point that I really did mean to turn towards town…but then, when I looked beyond the Priory towards the lane that runs through the ancient parkland, it was all too beguiling.
Just a little way then…
I did eventually make it to the Post Office, where I had to wait and wait in line, all of us standing in a lake of melting snow which we had tramped in with us.
Outside again, the town looked very pretty. On the Church Green the trees were scattering their snow like confetti, and the ancestors looked well tucked up in their snow quilts…
And as the sun was still shining I decided to take another path, back up the Cutlins but diverting along the Priory parkland boundary so I would end up on the old railway line below the Linden Walk.
It was totally silent there in the cutting beneath the trees; no ghost of roaring Great Western locomotive, but I could see that things had not been quiet. There were a number of casualties – saplings felled by the weight of snow. It felt like Narnia: those first steps out of C.S. Lewis’s old wardrobe. No sign of Mr. Tumnus though. Better push on before the White Witch whisks up on her slay.
Back on the Linden Field quietness there was broken by distant whoops of joy. On Windmill Hill a family and their dog were busy sledding. It looked like fun, and I was tempted to make yet another diversion. But no. My quick trip to the post had turned into a two hour meander. He who presently binds books instead of building sheds might be wondering where I’d got to. And somehow lunch time had been and gone. How did that happen?
Jo’s Monday Walk Please visit Jo for magic views from her walk around Belém, Lisbon. You will be glad you did.
Tish Farrell 
What a magical walk, Tish! I would have gone the same route and I’m so grateful you did and shared the results with us. Here we’re getting a bit of rain, while I’d love it to be snow. Ah, well. I’ll try to contain my jealousy. 🙂
janet
Great shots, Tish.
Thank you
Cheers, Thom.
You have had quite a snowfall! It is beautiful and I daresay, you won’t be lacking snow for Santa’s sleigh this year! Say hi to “Rudolph” for me.
🙂
Heavens, you had our share too! Two standout shots for me, Tish- those gently enfolding laden branches as you look beyond them up the hill- superb! And the snow dense gravestones! Oh, and always a soft spot for the Priory. 🙂 🙂 A very merry Christmas to you, full of egg nog, or gin or whatever Santa brings. Don’t let Graham get stuck up the chimney, will you? Many thanks, darlin!
All the best to you and yours, Jo. Tx
Who can talk about a dreary December day when looking at your photo essay on your winter wonderland with a bright blue sky? You cheered me this morning. Thank you!
So glad to cheer you up, Peter.
These photographs are so beautiful. Thank you very much for taking the long walk. Janet
And thank you for coming along 🙂
Great photos, Tish. The first picture could grace a Christmas Card. Sometimes the white balance can be difficult with snow and the harsh reflection of light. The second photo has a blue tint, which you could correct. Our eyes see snow better than a camera sensor.
Thank you for your keen-eyed appraisal, Ian 🙂
Tish, so very beautiful photos. I believe you definitely made the right choice. Thank you for sharing them.
Many thanks 🙂
Thanks for sharing this magical walk with us Tish. Your photos and words are lovely and evocative. I do like the idea of the ancestors tucked up in snow quilts, and your talk of Narnia has left me hankering after some turkish delight. Not much chance of a passing Snow Queen here though 🙂
Ah. Turkish Delight. I hadn’t remembered that. More drooling. Probably.
I always had trouble disliking Edmund; I’d be equally treacherous for Turkish Delight 🙂
Oh, wonderful diversions! I’m envious, as I wouldn’t be able to walk that far.. Have a lovely Christmas, all the best for the New Year….
And all the very best and warmest wishes to you, Sue.
Thank you, Tish!
they could be Christmas cards they are so pretty You must have been dressed warmly to linger so long. Good girl.
Thanks bc. I was well prepared clothing wise. Must have suspected I was up to something 🙂
Pretty as a Christmas card (the header) and what a lovely walk you took us on. You certainly got the snow there alright, do I assume it has all gone now, or are you still shivering? Thick fog expected your way next – stay safe and warm 🙂
Only a few muddy heaps left. And sunshine. And much warmer. All v. disorientating. I’m off to the allotment to check on the damage. I think the greens under mesh may have been well and truly squished. On the other hand, in the garden, Rozanne geranium has emerged from a drift still flowering. Who’d’ve thought it.
They don’t call those geraniums hardy for nothing 😀 😀
🙂
What a wonderful work. I love the photos of the woods and the snow laden branches. You are certainly having a white Christmas. Down here in Oz the temperature’s rising and we are planning a family BBQ on the day. Merry Christmas Tish. 🙂
Happy Christmas to you, Suzanne. Our white one has also fled. It was just a dream 🙂
This is real magic Tish. No wonder you bypassed lunch. That second last photo is a favourite, but they’re all enchanting. Thank you for giving me vicarious snow. Maybe I will venture another northern winter.
Well our winter has been and gone for the moment. As I said to Pauline, it is now become very mild, and expected to remain so for a while.
Isn’t Wenlock a great place for snow photos, I’m glad you took the long way round!
A winter wonderland Tish. I loved going the long way round with you. Is it still snowing?
No. It has gone, and everywhere looks a bit squashed with many broken trees about the place. It’s supposed to be warming up for Christmas.
Heat wave over here, predicted for mid 30’sC. Beach will be the only place to be….
We love beaches at Christmas – hot ones or cold ones. We miss our Mombasa hols and bbq-ed reef lobster.
Delightful times to remember
Fantastic, I am jealous as hell 😉 I think the appearance of the White Witch would have rounded things off perfectly.
I should’ve stayed longer, shouldn’t I. While I’m here, a very happy Christmas to you and Mrs Robin and all the family.
Many thanks Tish, and all the best to you and yours for Christmas and 2018.
Utterly delightful and delovely.
The team are making mince pies for a large order and Ems is singing xmas songs, even though it is around 25/26 degrees and we are puffing and blowing in the heat … including the dogs
”And Tish lives there?”
”Yeah”
”Wow!”
🙂
Aw! That’s a lovely picture of life chez Ark. Happy festive season to you all 🙂
And Complaints of the Season to you and yours as well, dear Tish!
Fancy a mince pie? A fresh batch just emerged from the oven.
Oh, yum. Please email pies asap. I’ve not made any yet, and I’m sure Ems’ are delish.
Will a photo do in lieu?
Oh yes!
Your wish … and all that …
Thank you, Fairy Godmother Ark. Have just been over to your place to admire same.
Snowtastic Tish – you take a mean scene.
It was a willing landscape 🙂
Oh, I can see that was irresistible; you’ve had quite a bit of snow – but unlike Winter in Narnia, you’ll soon have Christmas – so Merry Christmas!
Thanks Mike. A merry Christmas to you too. I’ve just been over to your Liberty post, but it doesn’t let me leave a comment 😦
Gorgeous, Tish. Takes my breath away.
🙂
I so enjoyed going on this walk with you Tish. Beautiful photos.
Alison
So nice of you to come along too, Alison 🙂