Sun and Snow on Cannock Chase

The Long Walkers of St Mary's Rambling Club certainly experienced a day of contrasting weather yesterday. It was bitterly cold, but bright and sunny, as we to set off from Seven Springs towards the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. We halted briefly near Great Haywood, at the Essex Bridge, built 1550 by the Earl of Essex for Queen Elizabeth 1st, so she could go hunting near the village. Originally, the bridge had 40 arches, and although there are now only 14 remaining, it is still one of the largest surviving pack-horse bridges in the country. This photo was taken from one of the parapets. Nearby , A. drew our attention to a heron in the garden of the little canal-side cafe. Until it moved, I thought it was a garden ornament. Not far from here, we could see Tixall Gatehouse, built in 1580. There were lambs in the fields, enjoying the winter sunshine.

By the the time we had reached Milford Common there were a few tiny snowflakes in the air, but we settled down at the picnic benches and braved the bitter cold to eat our lunch. We set off again, all numb with the cold , but the climb up through the woods towards Cannock Chase, soon warmed us up. Upon entering Brocton Coppice, a cathedral of ancient sessile oaks, some over 600 years old (thought to be the last remnant of the Royal Forest of Cannock), the snow flurries continued, but the flakes were still very small.

Phytophthora, aka 'sudden oak disease' was discovered in this woodland last year, but tests proved that only the bilberry bushes that cover the forest floor, were infected, and measures taken to contain the disease. We left the wood, in another flurry of snow. On the horizon I spotted a group of about five deer. By this time, the snow had stopped, the sky was blue and the sun shone. This photo of the walkers deer-watching is quite a contrast to the grey sky over Brocton Coppice, just minutes before.

At Stepping Stones we were able to enjoy a short break. J even lay down on the ground, face up to the blue, sunny sky. It was so pleasant that I packed away my hat and gloves - but this was a mistake! Within minutes, the sky darkened, the snow began to fall quite heavily. By the time we approached the car park at Seven Springs, the walkers resembled snowmen.

It was another very enjoyable walk, thanks to M. A walk of contrasting vistas, surroundings and, in particular, weather.

This morning, there's a blue sky, the sun is shining, and there's still a light coating of snow. It looks quite beautiful.