May 2018

What’s that you say? Fed up with snow related posts! But I’ve loads more snow photos. Don’t blame me if I don’t post anything for a while – doh!

A good friend, too rarely seen, asked me recently in a Shropshire/Scottish twang, ‘What’s happened to the blog post for May?’ Words written, photos taken, broadband lacking. A familiar tale of technological woe from the keyboard of Backpacker John in the green Shropshire countryside. What’s that you say? Fed up… I’ll move on; I’m nice like that.

The lack of something to fall asleep whilst reading, doesn’t mean I’ve been lazing around twiddling my thumbs. My legs can report, happily or not, an intensification of walking (The May average currently hovering around 7-miles a day). All in anticipation of some future backpacking. A bit of running crops up occasionally, especially in light of no cycling since my accident in June 2016. Watching local fell races provides suitable inspiration.

Guiding friends around the local area obviously helps with regard to the daily mileage. Most recently the emphasis as been on the Woodland Trust owned Helmeth Hill, lying within walking distance to the east of Church Stretton. A fantastic treat for lovers of native bluebells. (Other wildflowers are available.)

Native bluebells carpet Helmeth Wood

Voluntary footpath work continues, though the very wet spring meant building steps on the steep side of the Ragleth provided some entertainment, amid the very hard work. Swing the mattock, slide down the hill. Re-position, swing the mattock – you get the idea.

Building steps on the muddy sides of Ragleth Hill

Other tasks include lots of driveway pot-hole filling and a start made on turning/sorting out the manure heaps in the veg patch. These are proper manure heaps, not the sort that involve a plastic bin. Should anyone want a physical upper body workout, try turning over a decent sized manure heap. A 'dead hedge', as appeared in the paddock. A community effort by those of us at the Mill.

Dead hedge in the paddock

A recent birthday saw a couple of treats; a Caradoc and Helmeth Hill walk, and a mystery tour of North-east Shropshire and Cheshire. A delightful excursion that even saw a small boat trip. Grateful thanks to those involved.

My lone brain cell continues to work on family histories for clients. It’s also been occupied trying to sort out various computer issues, not helped by a new printer with a mind of its own. Let’s just say that we’ve not bonded yet!

If I can, I may expand in future posts on a few of the subjects mentioned above.