Cyril Connolly

Before the clocks changed at the weekend I enjoyed one last post shift walk at Attingham Park. I was treated to some beautiful Autumn colours and the walled garden was decked out for ‘The School of Magic’ trail.

When the evenings get darker after the clocks change I like to travel home in daylight to avoid the constant dazzling headlights on an unlit road.

I was back volunteering today and for part of my shift I helped hand out the trail leaflets. Then after the (mostly) youngsters had graduated from the School of Magic, I presented them with their spell book and colouring pencils.

Attingham was extremely busy and for the first time in eighteen months of volunteering I wasn’t able to park easily when I arrived for my shift. I ended up half way down the overflow field, and still the cars were steadily flowing in.

It was also lovely to see some former work colleagues as they passed through visitor reception.

cc

My next adventure was a post shift walk at Attingham Park. When I set off on my walk I wasn’t sure which way I would go but I heard the call of the walled gardens so I set off in that direction. I sat on a bench enjoying the autumn blooms and the peaceful atmosphere before heading to the suspension bridge still not knowing which direction I would go.

After crossing the bridge I walked along the river bank to the woodland walks. When it came to the choice of left or right through the woods the atmosphere felt quite melancholy so I chose to return to the suspension bridge along different pathway that passes the signpost where one of the directions is ’short cut’, the route that I walked last week after my volunteering. I arrived at the signpost to find that it had been replaced by new one. The new signpost is very smart but the the ’short cut’ has vanished into the mystic ethers and been replaced by a bluebell path (same pathway with a new name).

As I retraced my steps over the suspension bridge back to the mile walk I was surrounded by birdsong which made me realise why the woodland paths felt strange to me. There had been a complete absence of bird song!

The pumpkin patch has now been harvested and the cabbages look delicious.

As I started my walk the rain set in so I wasn’t able to take many photos. Back at the car, after my walk the rain eased off to almost nothing!

The booking arrangements had changed since my previous visit (four years ago) and the letter with directions was confusing.

I walked through the hospital grounds to find the testing unit in the same place it has always been so I continued my walk, exiting onto the Silkin Way and Apley Woods beyond. I chose the woodland walks rather than walking around the pool.

The woods are so pretty at this time of year.