Travelog 2026

[Germain]

Gosh and I are on our adventures again, in-between dog shows and working trials and granny duties we will continue to explore Shropshire and surrounding areas while we can. This years challenges so far have been snow, ice, rain, ankle deep mud and none negotiable stiles - when your dog is the size of a decent hogget and weighs over 65Kg he can't squeeze through and I really don't want him jumping them. It's lovely seeing everything spring into life. Gosh has met his first toads and was scandalised by their rampant behaviour, we also came across a few fields of Alpaca/Llama and he managed not to scream at them so he must be growing up! (Goats make him scream with excitement - it's quite embarrassing)
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMrkg

[SnappyMac]

A nice selection to start with Caroline. Looks an unusual church building.

[Germain]

Very unusual - sadly like many remote rural churches it's currently without an incumbent. From what I have read there are about 80 corrugated iron 'tin tabernacles' left and apparently there is one at Iron Bridge - Blist Hill so thats on the list to investigate

[PimperneBloke]

Gosh is almost as big as the Alpaca's and I can't believe you don't just chuck a saddle on and ride him over the styles lol. Looking firward to more updates of your adventures

[Willpar]

Great selection of pics Germain, enjoy your travels.

[Germain]

Been a little quiet on our adventures recently - had a run over to Essex and then a day trip without Gosh to Manchester and I've been ill ever since! not blaming Manchester but a mixture of virus and an allergy to Oil seed rape has floored me, but today we went for a slow walk around our favourite NT property and I got the camera out and decided we would do flora and any fauna that stayed still long enough - lots of resting on benches listening to bird song.
The Bluebells were beautiful.
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCRbYD

[PimperneBloke]

Ohh, what a fabulous selection Cin

[SnappyMac]

Well you found plenty of flora to photograph Caroline, hope you feel better for your walk.

[Willpar]

A great day out and pics Germain.

[Germain]

We have made a couple of small trips out over the last few days
First of was to Poles Coppice Nature reserve -the local team have done a lot of work recently clearing brash and reducing the black thorn and cleaning up the ponds - sat for a bit just listening and running the Merlin app - 13 different songs - I was able to spot the Willow Warbler but blowed if I could see the Yellowhammer - also spotted a Grey Wag whose photo belongs in either the bad photo thread or a 'spot the ? thread' .
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCRUi8
Yesterday we mooched over to the Bog - The Gorse is looking stunning and it was a beautiful day but a bit of a breeze - not much on the wing and nothing hunting over the ponds but I did spot a Common Lizard, spent far too much money in the Information centre, had a lovely piece of Coffee and Walnut cake and a good chat with a local volunteer
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCRX3C
Then this afternoon as I turned into the drive of the place I stay I spotted a Red Kite, then another and another and suddenly there were 11 (That I counted) possibly more swooping and diving then rising - it was the most beautiful sight and soundless- no calling at all - they stayed around for a good hour and then slowly peeled off singly or in pairs - absolutely magical
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCRQL1