Himley Hall: Beacon Centre Fun day - and a walk round the lake

A cold and rainy day for the Beacon Centre's Fun Day, but people were enjoying themselves

The roundabouts were doing good business

I liked this tea tent 

Snakes, rabbits and lizards on this stall

Paws for Thought Dog team get ready for their display

Here are two of the stars, waiting in the warmth of the car!

Lots of entertainment on the Signal 107 stage

I didn't get the name of this dance group, but they were great.

Members of the band get ready for the set by Fusion Rock - a 100-strong community choir

Windy conditions: pegs holding my music in place!

After our performance, the sun came out and I went for a walk round the lake  

The Sailing Club's headquarters are in this thatched boathouse

Lots of lovely yellow irises and the start of the waterlilies

The swan family 

 Himley Hall from the head of the lake

Fishermen sheltering from the wind

More irises

This field often has horses in - not today though.

Coots

Looking over to the boat park 

 Rhododendrons on the "island"

Must walk this path another day...

The hall through the willows

Back at the Fun Day, it's time to pack up. Signal Radio did a great job hosting the activities

The stalls are emptying now

It was a wonderful day, and I hope the Centre made lots of money. They certainly increased awareness of their work. I can recommend this as a day out, so look out for it next year.
For more on the Beacon Centre , and its work for visually impaired people and their families, click here
For more on Fusion Rock, see them on Facebook by clicking here

Canal Walking in May: Kidderminster to Stourport/Mitton

Took a walk along the Staffs and Worcs Canal, starting from the the Ring Road near B&Q. (Not the most romantic starting point!)
This picture is only about 100m from the road, yet already it feels like being deep in the country.

The lock is by this red sandstone cliff, with its trailing creepers.

It's called Caldwell Lock.

The overflow was running quite strongly though we haven't had much rain.

The railway viaduct. Just round the corner from this, we heard a steam train from the Severn Valley Railway, but it had disappeared by the time we got there.

A mysterious piece of development. For a road? No indication.

Wild flowers were everywhere.

Falling Sands Lock, just seen through wild flowers.

Boats were queueing to use the lock.

On the towpath side of the canal is Wilden Marsh, a nature reserve.

In the distance is the start of Hartlebury Common.

This bridge is now not used, but it was once the junction with the River Stour.

Moody grey sky!

On the towpath, a tempting sight - the signposted Stourport Circular Walk, which I resolved to try soon.

Mitton railway bridge (no railway now).

The Bird In Hand pub seen through the bridge

A very attractive looking establishment. We turned back here.

On the way back, we noticed these lovely yellow irises.

And all along the path was cow parsley, and comfrey flowers of all colours - pink, white, purple and even blue.

A brief sunny spell shining on the River Stour which runs alongside the canal, to join it at Stourport.


Back at the start of this lovely walk.

Today's walk: Parking by the Watermill Pub on the ring road in Kidderminster, we walked along the canal for 3 miles, turning just after the Bird in Hand Pub in Mitton, Stourport. Returning by the same route. Easy walking. Good surface to the towpath. Lots to see.