Friday 13th January (A Cold Start)


Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window into a grey and white sky. The night was cold, just above freezing, and the air was still. Mr. Kite looked into the lime trees to see blue tits and plump wood pigeons. On the table lay samples of shrubbery taken from the local plants waiting to be identified.

To the Stiperstones

In the late morning sunshine Mr. Kite saddled up The Beast and headed towards the Stiperstones. Today Mr. Kite was going to look and listen to bird as he cycled along and enjoy the winter colours and decorated trees. The route was from Shrewsbury through Annscroft, Longden, Plealey, Pontesbury and Minsterley. All the common birds were present in the hedgerows and the fields were unusually quiet and ravens made their presence known.

From Plox Green Mr. Kite slowed down as he cycled uphill looking into the hedges spotting blue tits, great tits, robins, and dunnocks. Mr. Kite noted all the birds but he was searching for long-tailed tits. At this slow speed there was plenty of time to look especially as there were few cars. Eventually Mr. Kite left the trees behind and cycled the last part to the car park by The Devil's Chair; not one babbler was spotted.

To Church Stretton

Following a short break looking towards The Devil's Chair Mr. Kite cycled towards The Bridges. This time Mr. Kite was looking for meadow pipits. Avoiding sheep Mr. Kite looked on the grass, amongst the rocks and on the road for meadow pipits. Today magpies had taken the high ground with the jackdaws. Soon Mr. Kite reached Ratlinghope avoiding the wonderful beer of The Bridges.

On this quiet Friday Mr. Kite headed up the road towards Church Stretton climbing for the first two miles. At this speed Mr. Kite was listening for red grouse; or even better a view of one. Mr. Kite cycled and listened and looked into the heather, onto the hillsides and into the clearings without success. But that did not matter; the day was calm, the views stunning and the sounds of the wild.

Just before the main descent down The Burway Mr. Kite stopped to look at the reservoir on the left; and the gantry. This is a place never to be forgotten. The gantry was the last place The Star walked and the reservoir was were this young man took his last breathe and said good-bye to life.

Soon Mr. Kite reached Church Stretton.

Home


Mr. Kite enjoyed the day out. In the sunshine he cycled home to the sight, sounds and smells of Shropshire. With The Beast in the shed Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Tetley tea. Cheers from the sunny cold Floreat Salopia.