The Edge of the world

After a slow start I managed to get back into gear and made contact with some work colleagues. I also enjoyed listening to music as I sorted out some of my photos from last week, even managing to back blip one picture. I put on several loads of washing and hung some of the clothes outside to dry in the ever weakening sunshine.

The light has been very attractive with the sun shining on the landscape as it gradually changes with the autumnal conditions. I decided to make use of this short sunny interlude and the drier weather to go to Gloucester to buy some tofu, as I seem to get withdrawal symptoms if I go for too long with out it. On the way home, I realised that the sun was setting so much earlier and that if |I wanted to get a picture I should stop where I was at Edge.

After parking I crossed the road thinking that at least I might get a shot across the Severn Vale towards the Forest of Dean. To my delight i found this bunch of cows feasting on their early supper behind the stonewall at the top of the field. You can get an idea why it is called Edge, as this is the top of the escarpment of the limestone ridge that forms the backbone to the Cotswolds. The River Severn, just observable in the far distance at the left, flows out to the sea and the Severn estuary just a couple of miles further west. Gloucester city is sited to the right, in the distance and behind these trees, at the first crossing point of the river. It was the ancient fording point before the first bridge was built by the Romans, soon after they established their camp there to protect the eastern parts of their empire from the barbarians who lived across the valley in Wales!

Soon after this picture was taken the sun went behind some larger clouds and I headed along the ridge to Whiteshill t have tea with John and Liz, and to discuss some work I will do for them soon. John and I also decided to go to Westonbirt Arboretum again, hopefully on Thursday if the weather is good. We want to take advantage of our membership and see what the annual spectacle of autumn colours is like this year.