A World Without Dan

It's too terrible to contemplate. The Map Twats went walking between Ludlow and Richard's Castle this weekend. It was muddy, wet and gloomy in the trackless commercial forests. We didn't reach Richard's Castle because, although we had maps (I bought two in a lovely independent bookshop in Ludlow), we didn't have a Dan (he has a cold, and he's starting an actual job today). We wandered round endless paths, confused and increasingly grumpy.

Obviously, I got my recriminations in first, but this is the internet, and is therefore the official place to settle scores.

Yes, I got us lost as soon as we left Ludlow. BUT: I was right when I said 'Richard's castle is over that ridge'. It was. We ignored the ridge and trudged off in a different direction. Actually, I enjoyed the day, though we walked a goodly bit further than intended. I hope that our meanderings spell out a very rude word, viewed from space.

It wasn't much of a day to take photos, but I put a very few here. Neal took the insect ones, and I played with them. Click on them for a larger view.

A few more pictures of today's Old Devils trip

(That's a Kingsley Amis reference, by the way - a step up from Last of the Summer Wine).

Bits out for the lads

Neal, Gerry, Mark and I went to sunny Herefordshire today to see the Sheela-na-gig at Kilpeck, a 12th-century church with a bit of castle left. The carvings were stunning the scenery was beautiful, lambs were gambolling and trees were blossoming. We arsed around a bit, then went on to Hereford, Ludlow and Bridgnorth via all the back roads through Richard's Castle and the Clees, taking in fine beer and food in the 14th-century wattle-and-daub Black Swan in at Much Dewchurch. Lots of photos here.