Yesterday felt as if all our missed summer days had been rolled into one. It was warm, the light golden, the sky a flawless blue in every quarter. In the afternoon I took myself off for a walk – up Laburnum Alley and into Welsh Street, and thence up a green lane out of the Castle and onto the uplands.
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There’s little to hear but the bleating of sheep, the thrum of a combine harvester just over the hill and rook call. The town lies quietly below.
As I climb, I stop to scan the changing vistas. From the highest point there is a near 360 degree ring of hills surrounding Bishop’s Castle, the most obvious for its length being the Long Mynd. Whenever I see the Mynd I always give a mental wave to sister Jo, who lives on the other side. I sometimes thinks it’s odd to have this very big and ancient hill between us; some of the oldest rock in the world in fact.
Looking east-ish towards the Long Mynd
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And towards the opposing quarter…
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I need a Castle local to teach me the hills, particularly those to the north and west and into Wales. I know the names – Corndon, Lan Fawr, Roundton, Todleth …and I’m guessing they are in the next photo moving from right to left (?) and that the big wood below is Saddler’s Big Wood.
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For now, some other scenic spots…
copyright 2024 Tish Farrell
Gorgeous!
Do you ever make it to the Yorkshire Dales, Tish?
You should give us a visit – if the weather is suitable, that is!
No, I haven’t, though I know it’s very beautiful up there. I’m liking your mention of ‘suitable weather’ though. It has the making of a new class of climate debate 🙂
Just to whet your appetite, here are some photos by a friend of mine.
https://lifes-images.co.uk/
Stunning landscapes indeed. And very enticing photos.
Excellent photos.
I especially like the sheep.
I like the sheep too 🙂 Thanks, Rabirius.
These are all great, but for a favorite, I can’t decide between the lane in the woods or the old barn.
You can always favourite them both, GP 🙂 🙂 🙂
A beautiful shot. Those huge hay rolls look lie a sculpture.
Like, not lie.
They do look v. sculptural, don’t they, and especially appealing in the afternoon sunshine.
Beautiful place to take a walk.
Yes, we’re so lucky.
Idyllic indeed!
Thanks, Rebecca.
Beautiful photos! 🙂
Many thanks.
Most welcome.
there is something about the Long Mynd which makes me yearn – lovely day indeed in your photos and getting to know and see all the views you have – thanks for sharing Tish – it brightened my overcast morning
Sorry you’re overcast, Laura. It’s turning into that autumnal ho-hummish time of year. Not that it hasn’t been ho-hummish all growing season. I’m just staring at a lot of green tomatoes, and wondering if I have the enthusiasm to summon them into a pot of chutney.
at best it has been a ho-hummish summer (super description) – I fry mine like in the film but without the BBQ 😉
I’ve not tried frying them. They are ever so hard!
Slice thinly!
Good thinking!
Wonderful!!
Thanks, Sue.
looks like I am missing a great British autumn
A bit of a flash in the pan, methinks 🙂
ah okay, won’t suffer from FOMO after all then!
You look to be having a big adventure. Good on you!
yeah I am feeling very proud of myself, although today is turning into a wobbly day.
Wobbly days do give one an uncomfortable shake up. A useful mantra type thingy which I find useful: hand on chest and repeat: it is safe for me to have wobbly days from time to time. The ‘from time to time’ is the key here. You are doing brilliantly.
thanks Tish, and yes I have a similar mantra but I like yours. Will use it today I suspect!
A perfect advert for a lovely county.
Thank you, ma’am.
😊
Oh yes, such a perfect day! ‘I’m glad I spent it with you’, virtually at least (as Lou Reed might say!) I love those views of the hills all around and the town nestled below 🙂
Thanks for joining in with me (and Lou), Sarah 🙂
What a day (what a song reference too) and what a walk. What a place you now call home too! This is a stupid thing to say but I’ll say it anyway: have you ever tried looking at digital maps (Google maps comes to mind) on your phone or laptop to see if the hills are named? I realize the names may live outside digital records, but would be curious. I have such romantic notions of that land of yours, great to see a romantic out with her camera and mental pen who’s indulging in it. Have a great weekend Tish! Fall is just about officially here.
Hello, Bill. Thanks for the google notion. I have tried that. It’s amazing how little hill info there is when you want it. And then when they are named, there’s the problem of knowing exactly where I am in relation to them. Duh! Things go squirly in the uplands. Or maybe it is just the photographer. Lovely to hear from you. And a great weekend to you too.
Hey Tish! Yeah if you were to get terribly “anal” about it I bet you could find an app that lists the hill names. But maybe not, sorry for unelicited advice. I use navigational maps for backpacking (like Way Out) and I’m constantly surprised by how much detail there is digitally, through topo maps etc. to be honest the more fun route would just be to find a local right?! 😉 be well!
I’m a luddite, Bill. I don’t have a smart phone, though I know they have beguiling apps and maps 🙂
Luddites unite! I love it. They are beguiling and bedeviling…avoid at all costs. Pigeon carriers are best.
Ha!
What a beautiful walk Tish! I enjoyed wonderful landscapes without even leaving my chair. Thanks!
Anne
Happy to provide an in-home service, Anne 🙂
At my age, it’s the only way I’ll see the world!
Oh my, absolutely perfect!
Thanks, Jennie.
You’re welcome!
I enjoyed your walk through your landscape. Interesting hills and a lovely little village below. Looks like an idelic place.
It is a good spot. Thanks for coming along with me 🙂
Beautiful English countryside, how lovely described and illustrated Tish.
Many thanks, Agnes.