"Home is…" not going to be in the Severn Valley...

More recce visits for the "Home is…" project from our trip to the West Midlands, and a lesson on the importance of doing these trips out to the intended spots rather than just turning up somewhere with a boot full of furniture.  One thing I can say about this project is that just about every 'favourite' location from a past project that we've tried to revisit has been rendered unsuitable in the last few years.

We set out for Northwood, near Bewdley, a spot I used to go to loads when I was younger, as a starting point for walks along the Severn Valley up to Arley.  At the end of the long and winding Northwood Lane there is a car park, an aqueduct, railway crossing, and nice views across the River Severn...

…or used to be, before Severn Trent sealed off the car park.  The lane was a lot longer and windier (if thats a word) than I remembered too, and there are now a lot more chalets and static caravans full of people who look at you a bit suspiciously if you park up on 'their' road.

Deciding that the perimeter fences would make for a bit of a dull backdrop, we proceeded up the valley to Highley, and a spot used for several past projects.  After about 40 mins of driving round and round the village trying to find the right road, we at last reached the intended location...

…which was also now unsuitable.  

The access to the golf course was blocked, and furthermore the track to it looked like a scene from the western front, definitely not one to do with a load of furniture in tow.

There was also nowhere safe to shoot a pic near the crossing either which had a flat enough surface.

On the positive side though, on the way home we spotted a couple of potentially better locations, so we're asking the requisite permission to shoot at the newer spots.  So not a total waste of a trip with a bit of luck, but it has reminded us why we need to check a location before just rolling up there...