Mice and Men in beautiful Shrewsbury

“Would you lie with me and just forget the world?”

Oct 05, 2024

Say hello to Charles Darwin at the entrance to Shrewsbury Library, 3rd October 2024 **(Author’s Collection)**

Oh for the best laid plans of mice and men.

Following the recent biblical rains and charcoal grey days that threatened constant sharp and prolonged showers, Thursday 3rd October 2024 was scheduled by the weather Gods to be a bright and breezy affair and a perfect opportunity for the light of my life and I to jump aboard a train and alight for a circular walk around the market town of Shrewsbury, the River Severn our gentle guide. My chaotic thinking was surprisingly quiet this day and even the night before as with the sun almost certainly in line to shine I excitedly envisioned a walk around the centuries old castle, cast a sideways view at the strangely imposing golden eagle in the castle grounds and perhaps take yet another photograph of my son at the foot of “Laura’s Tower”, an odd higgledy-piggledy lookout post in the shape of a twisted wellington boot. From there I saw in my mind’s eye a quick chat with Charles Darwin outside the local library, perhaps even a minute or two in the gardens that bear his name and the spring like structure or perhaps the vertebrae of a Jurassic age dinosaur that dominates this quiet oasis of calm beside the river. Now on the riverside, how about a relaxed stroll I mused, see if any cruisers are full of October tourists, before a literal walk in the park or locally known “Quarry” and the water garden or “Dingle” in the centre, another tiny piece of heaven resplendent now in autumnal colours and the hum of smiling humanity everywhere you look. A walk around the boundary walls of this beautiful old town alive with the youth and naivety of university living, the living elderly enjoying the daily paper and a pizza outside any number of the cafes that bring our circular route back to the castle, the train station, and all via a quick look around an 11th century Abbey and the latest creations from local artists on the mezzanine floor overlooking the town’s grand museum and art gallery.

Oh for those plans, those best laid plans, of mice and men.

The sun did indeed shine, intermittently, and only after bacon sandwiches were eagerly consumed on a brief train journey that resulted in my defeating my son at a silly game of cards I hope we’ll continue playing forever. Maybe we will. But the memorial garden to Charles Darwin was locked akin to a school playground, the public park largely out of bounds due to an impending festival imported from our Germanic cousins, the water gardens were absent the water fountains that provide such a beautiful backdrop to the vast array of flower gardens that were also absent of any flowers at all let alone autumnal ones and if that wasn’t enough well, the upper floor of the museum was absent of anything except a couple of well meaning gentlemen who giggled like ghosts in the emptiness and to top the afternoon off, the castle was closed for a private wedding.

What larks!

So we boarded the train home and I lost at a game of cards I hope I play with my son forever. He knew nothing of my plans, of mice or indeed men, but was well aware of my frustration, and he certainly knew it had nothing to do with losing to him at cards! He’s also unaware that the following song is my/our song or the first song I associate with that little bundle of joy who’s sprouted into a fine young gentleman and a rare diamond under the polishing and guidance of his mother. I have a couple more songs for my son but we don’t have the time today for me to elucidate these to you or my reasons why. Nor will I be filling in the gaps as to why this song is so special to me or the reasons why I disappear into a reverie for the kid who has become a man and the “perfect eyes” that shine my son (sic).

Treat yourself. It’s blooming magnificent. Then I hope you enjoy this brief pictorial stroll through the market town of Shrewsbury.

Peace.