Wednesday 13 February 2008

"All Around the Wrekin", or, "The long way round"....

The Wrekin is a well known landmark hill and is easy to find despite the unhelpful signs.
At 1335 feet it is a bit of a slog, but pretending to admire the view halfway up allows you to catch your breath. It really doesn't help your self esteem, when, as you slowly puff your way ever upwards, local athletes using the climb as part of their training come bounding past like gazelles....
As I got ever higher the view unfurled itself, mist draped across the valleys.
'The Wrekin' is a corruption of the ancient English 'Uriconion', a Celtic name.
For some time after the Norman invasions it was called Mount Gilbert after a hermit that once resided on its slopes.
The summit is occupied by an iron age hill fort thought to be built by the Cornovii tribe, the same people that created the huge fort of 'Castle Ring' in Cannock Chase. The Wrekin was their capital.
To the West, the tips of the Welsh mountains poked through the low cloud.
We sat atop the sun warmed rock peak eagerly awaiting the spectical of the sunset.
I'd hoped to get a great photo of the hills, mist filled valley and perhaps the snaking glint of the meandering River Severn in the golden evening light, but the clouds rose and obscured the view.
We drank our flasked coffee and nibbled some Hazelnuts I'd roasted on a small fire.
Homeward bound, the toposcope more helpful than the local signs, we headed off....

8 comments:

LesleyinNM said...

Beautiful! Especially those pix with the mist and light effects that look like ufos. Really like that last one too.

Obviously warm enough there to go hiking. We warmed up for a few days, but now it is cold again. :(

Jessica said...

Love the sunset shots!!! Gorgeous!
Those first photos make me think of Wizard of Oz, and the route Dorothy, the Lion, Scarecrow and Tinman took to go see the Wizard. :)

photowannabe said...

Beautiful shots full of memories. I love the silhouette.

photowannabe said...

Beautiful shots full of memories. I love the silhouette.

Sharon said...

Beautiful photos... you're so lucky to live in such a gourgeos location!

Floderten said...

Why doesn't Denmark have any hills? We've got ONE, and we're arrogant enough to call it "Himmelbjerget", the SKY MOUNTAIN!!! Dun dun duuuun...

I've been up there a couple of times, and while the view is beautiful it's not impressive like the pictures you've taken.

Barkfoot said...

Floderten - I visited Himmelbjerget and thought it was quite impressive. OK, so there aren't many big hills in your neck of the woods, but it's a beautiful place.
You'll have to come camping in the Welsh mountains...

Dave said...

Nice pictures and scenery. - Dave