On Saturday afternoon we visited Buildwas Abbey which turned out be more brief than we had intended. Parts are inaccessible at the moment due to renovations and barriers closing off areas due to Covid-19. Just after we arrived a photographer turned up and whilst taking our own photographs we were careful to try and keep out of the shots that he was framing.

After our visit we drove to Much Wenlock with intention of visiting Wenlock Priory if it was open. It was but the car park look busier than we were comfortable with so we continued on our journey passing through Broseley and ending up at Maws Craft Centre. Only a few of the outlets were open so I suggested we explore a pathway that I had noticed as we arrived. Mr C chose a different path that went in the direction of the river and I kept on walking a little bit further. Up and over the Jackfield and Coalport memorial bridge and along the canal past Coalport China Works.

As we walked along the canal we spotted a photographer with his camera on tripod lining up a shot. It was the same man we had seen at Buildwas Abbey. As we approached  he did a double take and I quipped, ‘we are not following you’ before engaging in a brief conversation.

My next plan is to persuade Mr C to walk the T50 50 Mile trail with me (in stages). He hasn’t said no…

I have been busy walking during the past couple of days but I don’t have a single photo to share!

My first walk was a meet up with Linda, a fellow #Walk1000Miles walker to walk stage 4 part 1 of the T50 50 mile trail. Along the walk we had a random encounter with Naomi Wrighton, one of the people that helped devise the trail. I walked to the start of the walk and back home after the walk and was surprised to find that had clocked up just under 9 miles. A first for me

My second walk was today with my hubby. Taking advantage of the sunny weather we had a leisurely drive followed by a walk around Stow on the Wold. We had an even more leisurely afternoon cake and cup of tea. After waiting over 30 minutes our order had not arrived. we learned that the couple who were sitting next to us had been waiting 50 minutes! Mr C got up to find out where our order was and the couple next to us left. Apparently, although our order had been taken it had not been placed with the kitchen!!!

We left and found another tea shop where we were served within a few minutes. I enjoyed a slice of apple and blackberry cake accompanied by elderflower presse.

As there are no photos of my walking adventures I will leave you with a photo from earlier in the week when I was enjoying lunch on the patio.

I recently finished reading a book ‘Telford The Making of Shropshire’s New Town’. I moved to Telford at a very young age (my dad worked for the development corporation) and have grown up with the Town.

I have always appreciated the lovely green spaces within the town but until I read the book I had not realised just how much effort had been put in to encourage and allow industrial wasteland to be reclaimed by nature. Alongside planning the development of new housing the landscaping of the town involved the planting of around 15 million trees creating a ‘city within a forest’.

In 2018 to celebrate Telford’s 50th anniversary a new walking trail ‘The Telford T50 50 Mile Trail’ was researched and developed by local walking groups. Since then I have been looking forward to the publication of the guidebook to the walk.

The book launch was today and although I was not able to attend the ceremony, later in the day I was able to make a short walk in the rain to pick up a copy from the Telford Park information centre.

I spent and indulgent afternoon reading it from cover to cover and have planned my first walk. It takes in a local walk that I often do and also another local walk that I have been meaning to do for over a year…

I have been inspired and know I will walk that section of the T50 50 route very soon

You can read more about the trail and download walks routes  on the Telford T50 Trail website, although I would recommend that you purchase the guidebook. The guidebook provides comprehensive information about the industrial heritage and history of the area and also takes us on a journey to enjoy nature within the created ‘city’, leading to unexpected delights.

Below are some photos from some of my walks that coincide with the full route that I have not yet walked.