I was pleased when my recently ordered board game arrived a day or two earlier than expected. Not having to wonder if a parcel might arrive meant that I could enjoy an afternoon walk in the sunshine.

I chose to walk along Hurley Brook which can be linked to a pathway that leads to Hadley Locks. For some reason the locks are once again surrounded by industrial fencing which is not appealing to the eye or camera lens.

My walk led me back to a favourite place of mine, Leegomery Pool. Some works around the pool have led it to feel more urban than the quiet country space that it used to be. I think the ducks and geese agree, only a few remain and I haven’t seen any babies this year.

Later in the day, after my 5 mile walk Mr C and I walked into town (another 2 miles) for a small gathering to celebrate a friend’s significant birthday. There was much laughter and a dear friend drove us home.

If you are wondering about the railroads… Building railroads is the theme of a board game, building the railway to the Snowdon summit. There are many expansion packs adding to the idea, exploring other railroads in both England and the wider world. The game is out of print but I was lucky to source a new copy along with the expansion pack that corrects some cards that were incorrectly printed wrong in the Deluxe Master set edition of the game.

I am looking forward to playing the game with friends. It has railroad scenarios unique to them.

Today, there was a need for me to visit (just visiting) my local hospital, several times. In between visits we had lunch in the Furnace Kitchen at Coalbrookdale where I chose a croissant filled with butternut squash, caramelized onion and Feta cheese. It was delicious.

Currently many routes to Coalbrookdale are subjected to roadworks and closure. This meant that we had to take the long route home via ‘The Oxbow’ which is stunning after the recent heavy rainfall.

With my hospital walks and a little bit of food shopping (miles) I clocked up at 4.75 miles.

A short walk in Ironbridge with Mr C. There maybe a photo of me if he chooses to release it from his camera.

I stepped out of my door into brilliant sunshine for an afternoon walk. As I closed the door a few drops of rain started to fall even though the sky was mostly blue, they soon dried up. I chose a familiar route that I have not walked for a while with the potential to explore other pathways along the way.

By the time I reached Leegomery pools the promising blue sky had turned several shades of grey without a hint of blue to be seen. I lingered a while enjoying the view over the pools and made my decision to take the shortest route back home.

It started to gently rain, a few minutes later the wind blew up and the rain got more intense. A few minutes later, rain was dripping of the peak brim of my weatherproof coat. By the time I got home my trousers were soaked but the rest of me was dry. I fumbled for my house key, water dripping from the brim of my hat into my bag. The key (as always) had mysteriously relocated to the bottom of my bag.

Key retrieved, I opened the door, at which point the rain stopped and the sun came out!

As I stepped inside Mr C poked his head out of the room where he was ‘working from home’ and we both burst out laughing at my watery predicament.

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.