One of our friends arranged a breakfast gathering because her family were over from Germany for a few days.

There was much fun and laughter and the extensive menu options proved a challenge for some. For me, the small vegetarian breakfast hit the sweet spot.

All too soon it was time to part ways leaving Mr C and I in the ‘not quite’ ready to go home mood. We eventually settled on a visit to Bridgnorth where we had fun on the recently re-opened cliff railway.

We took the train down the cliff from high town to low town and enjoyed a delightful walk along the river bank where I saw my first goslings of the year. One of the goslings was so cute and funny, climbing up the steep river bank then slipping and rolling back down, only to be determined to reach the preferred spot for grazing.

As we made our way back to the cliff railway to ascend into high town Mr C helped a young jogger who tripped over a curb and hurt herself.

Back in high town we sought out ‘cake’ and settled on Violet’s Tea Room, where we knew we could sit outside and soak up the rays even if it was a little chilly. We both chose ginger and lemon cake which was delicious.

After our ‘naughty cake’ indulgence, we headed off home in time for our usual Sunday pre-dinner aperitif with Mr C’s parents.

I wasn’t able to fit in one of the scheduled T50 trail walks that all converged in Telford Town Centre. Instead I had a solo (5 Mile)  afternoon walk along parts of the T50 trail to get to my favourite local nature reserve. I was rewarded with lush green lined pathways and fluffy delights.

I lingered a little too long enjoying the fluffy delights leaving me to walk at a pace to get home in time for our planned family visit at around 4pm.

Before I embarked on my walk I picked up the new ‘Telford Town Park’ guidebook and ventured into the Town Centre to pay in a cheque. I walked through Southwater, the children’s adventure area and along the top level next to Withy Pool before setting off on a walk behind the rugby club. It was a new path for me and I wasn’t sure where it would lead to. The path led to many places and my choices at the various crossroads made for an enjoyable circular walk ending back where I started, next to the rugby club.

Before completing my walk with a visit to the Chelsea and Maxwell Gardens I sat on a bench to enjoy the company of the first goose family that I encountered on my arrival in the Town Park.

Click on photo to see video

Stirchley Hall - Walking new pathways with friends new and old

Walking solo around York Town Walls. This was the weekend that Covid-19 made its first appearance in the UK (in York!)

A delightful local bridle path

Leegomery Pool

Leegomery Pool

Coalport China Museum where many pathways meet

Priorslee Flash - some links from the stone snake that appeared during lockdown

Tal-y-llyn Lake between lockdowns

The Coldstones Cut between lockdowns

Leegomery Pool

My lockdown 60th birthday celebration

Leegomery pool on the last day of 2020

For some of the months it was difficult to choose only one photograph.

My afternoon walk took my to Leegomery Pools. The goslings have grown such a lot that I almost didn’t spot them. After my circuit of the pool I decided to walk back on a route that I had explored last year.

Walking on this pathway home I noticed another pathway going off in a different direction, just waiting to be explored. I tried a few twists and turns eventually choosing a long curvy pathway that eventually led me back to Leegomery Pools from where I returned home via Woodhenge.

PS: I have a severe case of lockdown hair!

Yesterday the friendly sound of post landing through the letter box brought me the latest edition of Country Walking Magazine. The weather was glorious so I dipped into the pages whilst enjoying lunch on the patio.

After lunch I set off for a walk along a sun dappled shady pathway to Leegomery Pools, hoping to see the goslings. They were there in all their cuteness.

Later in the day I enjoyed ‘Fine Dining’ on the patio as the sun set and the birds sang evensong

Click on the photo above to view birdsong video

PS: I intended to walk a different route this afternoon but the weather was extremely warm so I chose this shady walk instead. As I approached home I noticed a couple coming towards me. We arrived together as I turned off on a side way towards my house. As I did so I realised that one of the walkers was a former colleague of mine. I turned around with a sunny smile and said hello. The response was a rather reluctant grumpy hello so I chose to carry on walking. I remembered that we had eye contact a few weeks ago whilst in a socially distancing supermarket queue (he was looking back at me from the front of the queue). I waved and he immediately turned away…

It is difficult to resist the urge to visit the goslings at Leegomery pools to see how they are progressing.

After enjoying ‘Fine Lunching’ on the patio my addiction to the growing bundles of fluff led me on a lovely circular walk taking in some of the new pathways that I have explored this year.