Diversions and Explorations

24/4/26
Clear blue sky, mid-spring:
still many stark dry brown trees along the roadside,
but some with a blush of green tinging now,
and many bright in the sunlight on
their fresh green new garments;
daffodils wilting, spring flowers along the wayside
as we  journey up for lunch and an explore in Shropshire.

Arrive at known roadworks – delay of nine minutes according to SatNav voice.
About ten minutes later still no movement at all –
a few cars coming past – are the traffic lights confused,
or are they those that have U-turned?
We see a number do U-turn around us, and so do we eventually
though knowing finding an alternative on the lanes will be difficult.
In the event once, maybe twice discovered closed lanes,
and in approaching Craven Arms after a wonderful detour
with amazing views from the ‘alp’ on which we travelled
(the driver couldn’t appreciate well as the surface
of the lane required such concentration!)
there seemed a  warning again of closed road ahead, but
in the event it was not so at present
the way we wanted to turn at the cross-roads.
Along the way, SatNav has for long suggested 
we return to the main road, though now saying
that the delay there had risen to nearer half an hour.

A long journey, but a delicious lunch
at the friendly Secret Hills Discovery Centre Cafe.

Then off to Bury Ditches Hill Fort. 
Long drive up from Cluncton, again 
with wonderful views to the side
(road reasonable this time too)
and there a fairly short walk up to 
feel on top of  the world on the
the “old village patch” inside
the ditch-dyke boundary;
broom flowering, and bluebells on the way up
and a carved villager with lamb on an old tree.