Summer loving across Whitchurch and north Shropshire

Certainly it is a mixed bag of month and for those who cannot imagine leaving the house without a coat then this is the last summer month for you.

Others will brave the shorts and sandals a few more times during August and squeeze every last second from the summer before all eyes turn to the coming of autumn.

It has been a tough year and it threatens to become all the tougher as the cost of living crisis, coupled with soaring fuel prices and ongoing impact of Brexit and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, continues to cause concern.

Certainly it is a very worrying time and, if you are not careful, then all these worries can become overwhelming.

Thankfully sanctuary and peace of mind can always be found in our hills and valleys where we can lose ourself and immerse ourselves with the natural world.

These simple pleasures are not to be taken for granted and whereas a few years ago many would describe country living as too slow paced the tide has turned on urban living’s popularity.

Many city dwellers have realised the cost of living in these large urban areas negate the high wages which they moved there for in the first place.

Many people have now begun to look at the country and its more peaceful way of life as preferable and we can only hope this leads to greater investment into vita services in rural areas.

Raindrops on a rose. Picture by Claire Mayers.

Up close and personal at Golden Rod. Picture by Brian Roberts.

Hare amongst the bluebells. Picture by Graham Curran.

Race to the post at Bangor on Dee. Picture by Steve Beech.

An RAF aerobatic display above Snowdonia. Picture by Steve Beech.

Just dropping by. Picture by Brian Roberts.

Thirsty work for this busy bee. Picture by Brian Roberts.