The weather was good for the keen regulars who met in Church Stretton. We started up the Carding Mill Valley and soon were listening to sky larks on top of the ridge. As we walked north the sun was shining warmly, but tempered by a brisk north wind.  The broken ridge of the Stipperstones was to our left, with the Devil's Chair brightly lit up by the sunshine, and the Wrekin clearly visible in front of us.

Turning left along the ancient Port way we were out of the wind, with great view of the hills towards Welshpool. Before long we turned south into Golden Valley, then followed the  Dartford Brook past Ratlinghope and into Bridges. On the way we passed a group of twitchers who kindly pointed out to us the numerous pied flycatchers that were flitting through the nature reserve.

Still enjoying the sunshine over our lunch break outside the pub, we decided to extend the walk from the original plan. The little used pathway we took led us up Adstone Hill, with great views to each side. The plaintive sound of the curlew reinforced the feeling of splendid isolation.

We then dropped into the hamlet of Adstone and took a series of good tracks for the long pull back onto the Long Myndd ridge at Pole Bank and the relative hubbub of other walkers. Now we could see the iconic "blue hills" of Shropshire, layer after layer from Ragleth in the foreground to the Clee Hills in the far background.

The final return was down Townbrook valley: whereas most of the valleys off the Myndd are gentle rounded this has a steep vee profile looking more like Scotland. The path was steep but we returned to the town in time to enjoy a cup of tea, still basking in sunshine.

Thank to Jaz for travelling from Central Birmingham to lead this walk for us.