 |
| The Stanage Road |
It has been wintry up here in northern England these past few days. Snow and ice and wind and little sunshine. As a consequence, it hasn't been easy to get out to snap more of my endless photographs.
However, yesterday - with sunshine predicted for midday - I tootled over to Castleton in The Hope Valley and tied Clint up to the railings of the former youth hostel in Market Square. Boots on I was heading for Buxton Road when I saw two pubs beautifully illuminated in the promised sunlight. I had my camera out in a jiffy and was just lining up the shot when wintry clouds dulled the scene before me. Damnation!
The weather forecasters had got it wrong.
 |
| Lone walker on Mam Tor ridge - using a lot of camera zoom |
I spent an hour rambling outside Castleton - just up to Winnats Pass and the Treak Cliff Road and then I popped in the Peak Park Visitors Centre where I checked out the museum exhibits and watched a couple of short environmental videos.
Although great photographs can obviously be taken in dull conditions, I prefer the earthly stage before me to be lifted by sunshine that brings out the colours and shadows too.
 |
| Western entrance to Winnats Pass |
 |
| Sheep and a field barn by Buxton Road |
It was frustrating so after checking out the jewellery in a couple of blue john* shops I headed home via North Lees and Stanage Edge.
Belted Galloway cattle huddled together in a biting wind and the icy road up on the tops was treacherous. However, Clint was being steered by an advanced driver - across the Derbyshire border and back into Yorkshire, Ironically, as I descended the moors, I could see ahead of me that Sheffield was basking in glorious winter light. Perhaps the forecasters had got it right after all.
 |
| Belted Galloways |
*blue john - a rare form of quartz that is only found in the hills around Castleton. See this link.
You still managed some very beautiful photos, even without the sun shining!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you added the link Neil, because at first read I thought that blue john were blue men's underwear.
Greetings Maria x
Not blue men but men's blue underwear...oh never mind!
Deletex
Don't fret Maria. I know what you were getting at. Thanks for calling by again. What's the weather like in Italy today? Are you wearing your leopard print bikini?
DeleteWarm and sunny here in Verona but not warm enough to wear my zebra print bikini. I prefer stripes, they're more slimming!
Deletex
Verona? That's a long walk to the seaside. I hope you have "Two Gentlemen" to go with you!
DeleteWinnats Pass looks quite forbidding.
ReplyDeleteThat's what Mrs Winnat used to say too.
DeleteI've not heard of blue john before...that I can recall. How interesting and lovely it is. Fascinating. It would make grate jewellery pieces and other decorative items...as per the sites I've since visited since reading about it here in your post.
ReplyDeleteThe weather didn't give you the blues - not even nearly.
Your photos are great. I love the Belted Galloways, too.
Good job they had their belts on to keep their trousers up.
DeleteAhhhhh...."great" jewellery. I'd just written "grate" elsewhere...so it must have been grating on my mind! lol
DeleteI think all of those photos are outstanding, not in spite of the lack of sunshine, but because of it. The last one with the cows is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteIn your honour I hereby name the first cow after you! Jennifer is a lovely name for a cow!
Delete(Only joking!)
You pig! Hahaha!
DeleteOink!
DeleteI do find it much easier to take photos in sunshine, but the sad fact of living in England, as you well know, is that a lot of the time we have to do without! I think you got some great shots. I've never heard of "blue john" before, either -- that's a new one on me.
ReplyDeleteMost of my landscape and walking pictures are sunny ones because I pick my days. I certainly do not think that England is as grey as people often make out.
DeleteJust love the photo of the entrance to Winnats Pass. That would make a wonderful one color value watercolor painting. We are expecting snow tonight and tomorrow. Meanwhile, it is 10 degrees (C) and the sun is shining! I love Colorado!
ReplyDeleteAt the bottom of Winnats Pass and visible in my picture is the entrance to Speedwell Cavern - a show cave that follows the tunnel of old lead mine workings.
DeleteGo here:- http://speedwellcavern.co.uk/
Thanks for sending me on my way to the boat! Speedwell Cavern has a long history 'tho was not used for too many years. Those poor children they sent down there! Anyway, next time we go near there, I want to visit The Devil's Arse, if you don't mind.
DeleteHa-ha! Yesterday I walked past the Peak Cavern car park and the sign even bore the sub-title "Devil's Arse". Perhaps this would be a good new name for The Oval Office!
DeleteOdd fact - I prefer gray days to sunny ones (likely because they are easier on my eyes, which are far more sensitive than I would like) and I also prefer gray day photos. Association, maybe? I don't know. But I know I like these pictures very much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for leaving another pleasant comment Jenny! (Perhaps I should learn from you!)
DeleteHa ha! I'm just saving it all up to surprise you someday! *cackles wickedly to herself*
DeleteWe love Castleton, and surrounding area. I assume you know the (possible) story of how 'blue john' got its name? If not, there's always Google!
ReplyDeleteYes. Blue John was a goblin who lived in a cave up Winnats Pass. He looked like a Smurf. He was a cannibal and enjoyed nothing more than an innocent child which he would roast on his fire. He was especially fond of Catalonian children as their meat is particularly succulent!
DeleteWho was the advanced driver you had with you???
ReplyDeleteNo comment you mischievous fellow!
DeleteThe photo of the Western entrance to Winnat's Pass proves it is possible to take top photos, even in the depths of a gloomy winter.
ReplyDeleteAlphie
Thank you Alphie. Even though the last few days have been gloomy we have enjoyed some lovely bright spells this wintertime.
DeleteVery nice post really,I apperciate your blog.Thanks for sharing.keep sharing more blogs.
ReplyDeleteดูหนังออนไลน์