Cottage in Rainow
I went west again today just as my father once suggested - "Go west my son!" Clint was deposited in the church car park at Rainow. It is a beautifully located village - sitting in a sheltered valley on the edge of The Peak District - just over the hill from Bollington. In another life I could have easily lived there.
With boots laced up and my little rucksack on my back, I set off on a lovely, varied walk and saw many things. The pictures below will hopefully give a sense of my day. I was out there plodding along for four hours. It felt good to be alive. That thought often comes to me when I am on one of my walking expeditions.
As you can tell, I managed to get my old data cable working again to transfer today's images onto the P.C..
Holy Trinity Church, Rainow
Ewe above Clews Head Farm
Excellent drystone walling north of Rainow
Delicately coloured wild foxglove plant at Rainowlow
Farm outbuilding at Rainowlow
On Saddle Cote, looking to Shining Tor
More fine stonework at Harrop Fold Farm
Oh and I almost forget to share this with you. As I was passing through the village of Hope in The Hope Valley, the traffic was held up for the passage of four ancient steam-powered tractors. This was connected with that village's well dressing festival. The vehicles were like dinosaurs or fire-breathing dragons loping along...
Quite lovely x
ReplyDeleteThanks night owl!
DeleteI really like the stone walls. We don't have them here.
ReplyDeleteHow many man hours would it have taken to build just that little corner you can see? Quite amazing!
DeleteSpeaking of walking, I would like to recommend one of my favorite books. 'Undaunted Courage' by Stephan Ambrose. The saga of the Lewis and Clark expedition (US). In 1803 President Jefferson commissioned them to find a water route to the Pacifici Ocean. An amazing venture. Much of the story takes place in my state of Montana.
ReplyDeleteBeing the trekker you are, you have probably already read it.
No. I have not read it Carolyn but I would like to. Sounds like my kind of thing.
DeleteThose stone steps built into that stone wall! - Amazing! Terrific walk, Neil.
ReplyDeleteThat was a pretty high wall to climb over Ellen. You have to take care. The walls kept the sheep where they belonged.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous walk. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Bob.
DeleteThat first little cottage would suit me fine, but could I have a Mediterranean climate to go with it?
ReplyDeleteYah! Ye southern softie!
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ReplyDeleteThe stone walls seem to be in excellent condition and what a cute little stile. I've put up a clip of a steam bus but not a steam tractor. I must do that.
You would have been salivating - to see those steam tractors! And I saw them on the way back too followed by lines of vehicles.
DeleteA sunny day and an excellent opportunity for photographs. The Church at Rainow has all the majesty of a small Cathedral. I'm glad you found a sheep to photograph too.
ReplyDeleteThe church at Rainow is quite modern - built in 1846 as the village grew.
DeleteThe steam traction engines would look even more splendid in monochrome or sepia YP. Smashing photos.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a good idea Dave. I will try it.
DeleteGreat walk, it looks a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteIt was though more cloud than expected. Damn those meteorologists!
DeleteA wonderful day, great weather for a great walk. I know exactly what you mean about how good it feels to be alive when out walking.
ReplyDeleteDo you know how Rainow is pronounced? Is it like Rainbow without the b, or is the second syllable like now as in now, then?
I assumed like "rainbow" but I could be wrong. The term "low" (like go) is common in Peak District geography.
DeleteThanks for the views :) The last image, of that steam tractor, reminds me of an old favourite mini TV series that I have on DVD - Love on a Branch Line (based on a novel by the same name). (Looking it up now I see the author's name is John Hadfield, and the TV series was broadcast 30(!) years ago on BBC in four 50-minute episodes.) I think I must rewatch it. (It includes a "race" with such old steam vehicles.)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great day out. I hope this means you are feeling fit.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the walk my left heel was giving me gyp once again - but not excruciating.
DeleteOut alone in the countryside again. How would you have called for help if you had fallen and been unable to get up? Still no phone?
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your kind concern Tasker - I really do. However, for how many millennia did human beings walk out in the landscape without mobile phones?
DeleteI cannot answer that because I am not an anthropologist, and in any case it is irrelevant. You are not Ötzi. We have them not and they are an important item of safety equipment, like a compass. Get a Doro.
DeleteNear where I live, there is a week long festival dedicated to those steam breathing tractors and other pieces of farm equipment. It draws people from all over the U.S. and probably some countries of the world.
ReplyDeleteNice pics, as always. I'm surprised by the foxglove. I didn't realize wild ones came in any color other than purple.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice sheep.
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