On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
knally
These photos come from two trips to the Shropshire Hills in December 2021 and March 2022 since I had images I wanted to show from both trips.
This is where I stayed with a friend in March, it’s a Landmark Trust property called Bush Cottage, and was particularly significant to my friend since her cousin used to live here, and my friend’s parents stayed with them for a few months. The cousin lives nearby and came for a nostalgic visit.
A view from Bush Cottage to the surrounding countryside. Also featuring a little of the architectural detail of the cottage.
One of the first hills on a walking holiday, heading up to the Gaerstones on Hope Bowdler, which looks over to …
… the ancient hill fort of Caer Carodoc which legend has as the site of Caratacus’ last battle against the Romans.
On the next day we walked up the Townbrook Valley to the top of Long Mynd (mynd meaning mountain). Caer Caradoc is on the right middle distance, and in the far left distance is The Wrekin, a product of volcanism, but not actually a volcano despite its shape.
On the third day of walking we skirted some of the hills, which gave us this look back at Little Stretton, the baby brother of Church Stretton, nestling under the Long Mynd.
The lower section of the Carding Mill Valley. Carding is part of the process in preparing fleece, and was just the latest in many uses of a mill on the river. This view is showing quite a small stream, but it can get deeper and stronger.
The path coming down was a bit rocky and wet so I only thought to take a picture near the end, but it is very picturesque along its route.
The reservoir near the bottom of the Long Mynd.
Quite an interesting bit of building with two bridges joined where two streams meet. My friend was particularly keen to find this again since she and her brother would catch the school bus here.
And to end with something completely different.
Hidden away in St Mary’s Church, Stottesdon is this carving on the tympanum (the bit above the door). It’s from pre-Norman so Saxon carving, and thought to be of a hunting scene.
I found it very difficult to get a good picture of this since it’s indoors in a cramped space, but still fascinating!
sab
These are lovely photos. Thank you.
eclare
Very charming.
sab
That carving above the door is very intersting. Not churchy at all. Pre-church.
mrmoshpotato
That cottage and the countryside look lovely.
Benw
I low-key love the happiness of finding a school bus stop. And the pics are amazing! Lloyd Alexander would be happy
sab
I miss (spelling is wrong) jackal litrtlebrit difrnt.
I think she went back to Lancashire?
OzarkHillbilly
I wanna go there.
oldster
Caratacus shows up in the Major Generals patter-song, doesn’t he? But maybe spelled “Caractacus” — “I know every detail of Caractacus’s uniform” or some nonsense like that.
Beautiful photos — thanks!
Dr. Jakyll and Miss Deride
@oldster: I’m reminded of an old song about “the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus.” With each new verse another clause is added, and so on and so on — all in a leisurely laid-back rhythm which can never be rushed. It’s a serious test of breath control. Unfortunately, the only performance I ever heard was by the execrable Rolf Harris.
Gorgeous photos!
Matt McIrvin
@oldster: I wondered about that because the protagonist of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ is named Caractacus Potts (get it?) It’s a variant spelling, apparently.
Trivia Man
@Dr. Jakyll and Miss Deride: Seamus Kennedy has a live version as a sing along, that is a fun song.
MazeDancer
What beautiful photos!
JPL
Wonderful pictures.
Betty
These look like illustrations from an early English novel. Classic.
montanareddog
@sab:To Morecambe, IIRC. With a view over the lovely, but treacherous, Morecambe Bay
Other MJS
Is there really air between those squares of bricks on the cottage walls, or is that some kind of illusion?
WaterGirl
I love these, and I seriously want photo #8 on my walls!
SkyBluePink
What a magical place!
stinger
Absolutely gorgeous clouds, pink-tinged, in the first Bush Cottage photo. Then I was hoping to see the inside of it, and you gave us that, too!
I don’t see the appeal of fighting hand-to-hand battles on mountainsides. Maybe the terrain isn’t quite as steep when you’re standing on it as it looks from afar. But it seems like you’d spend most of your attention and effort just staying upright!
The darkening-around-the-edges of the Little Stratton photo makes the overcast sky — and the land beneath it — just glow!
And I love the double bridge and the ancient church carving — not churchy at all, as sab says. Great set of photos! Thank you!
stinger
@Other MJS: I think those are ancient weathered timbers, if I understand what you are referring to.
stinger
@Betty: Agreed — I was definitely thinking Sir Walter Scott!
oldster
“uniform…” “uniform…” Oh dear….
Aha! I have it!
“When I can write a washing-bill in Babylonic cun-iform!”
I suppose there are worse things to have littering one’s memory.
The photo of Little Stretton looks like it should be 100 years old — did you add an effect to darken the sides? Beautiful and atmospheric.
Origuy
Lovely photos. I’d like to go on a walking holiday in rural Britain.
The picture of the Saxon carving points out why archaeologists still do drawings of things. A single photo can’t capture all the detail the eye can see with changing angles and lighting.
The mention of Shropshire makes me think of the stories of Brother Cadfael, the medieval monk who solved crimes. He was at Shrewsbury Abbey.
BigJimSlade
Please, everybody knows Shropshire isn’t real place! Next you’ll be telling us there’s a real Vicar of Dibley.
;-)
way2blue
Hiking the English countryside. Lovely. The last photo had me thinking of Netflix’ The Last Kingdom. Bringing some of its scenes to life. Thanks for sharing.
currawong
I’ll be back in the UK for the first time in 20 years in a few months and we’ve booked a week in Ludlow in Shropshire. I’m looking forward to the lovely scenery.