Before I bring the story "Stanedge Lodge" to its gripping conclusion, here's a pleasant interlude. Think of it as something like an ad break during your favourite TV drama. Time for a quick toilet break or a swift snack or, if you belong to The Cult of the Smartphone, time to check your Instagram, your Twitter or your Facebook feeds.
Before proceeding, may I say "thanks" to the visitors who have been following "Stanedge Lodge".
When I posted about my recent walk past the old shooting lodge, I had no intention of writing a story about it but Steve Reed - currently holidaying in Florida - said " It looks like a setting for a Stephen King novel." and Frances in Harpenden said, "Did you see a ghostly face peering out of a window?" and JayCee on The Isle of Man said, "Stanedge Lodge looks very forbidding to me. Like something out of an episode of Vera" and Jennifer in Florence (not the one in Italy) said, "Stanedge Lodge looks like a haunted manor house in an English gothic novel.".
These remarks got my creative juices flowing and now after three episodes "Stanedge Lodge" is on the brink of its conclusion.
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| Crawshaw Farm |
Yesterday I had a two and a half hour walk after parking at Crawshaw Lodge, west of this city. As I was donning my boots, I noticed that I had a distant view of Stanedge Lodge across The Rivelin Valley and up on the moors beyond Redmires. When I took the top picture of hemlock growing by the roadside, I made sure that I got Stanedge Lodge in the background. It's there by the trees on the horizon.
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| Shorn sheep above The Loxley Valley |
I set off to Crawshaw Farm, then to Platts Farm, along to the hamlet of Ughill, down Tinker Bottom to Corker Walls and up and along a rough moorside track that leads from Corker Lane to Load Brook, then along two more lanes - Beeton Green and Rod Side back to Clint still basking in his little lay-by.
The circle was complete and so it was time to drive home. But as I headed away from Crawshaw Lodge I glanced again at the moors to the south where Stanedge Lodge is situated - far from anywhere. And I thought about Smithy and Benny with the stubbly chin and Silent Steve and Ralph with the greasy combed back hair and of course I remembered the terror...
More great photos from your walk.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, looking at that last one I hope that no-one tinkered with YOUR bottom?
Thank you JayCee - about the photo comment I mean, NOT the personal bottom reference!
DeleteLove the photos, as always -- I wouldn't even have realized Stanedge Lodge was lurking in the background unless you'd pointed it out! I'm glad we inspired you to get your story written. I haven't read it yet but I promise I will when I get back to London. Maybe this will lead to a lucrative career as a horror novelist?!
ReplyDeleteI wish! I am afraid that my little foray into the forest of fiction is far from your familiar fictional fayre!
DeleteI haven't got round to reading your Stanedge story yet. Never fear, it is on my reading list.
ReplyDeleteI knew I should have made those three parts shorter!
DeleteYou Brits sure can come up with some good place names. I'd say, "You couldn't make these up," but obviously, someone did.
ReplyDeleteYes - "Tinker Bottom" is a good one isn't it!
DeleteI enjoyed your pictures and I'm glad you told us that was Stanedge Lodge in the background. It seems to loom over quite a large area and after enjoying your story I can't help but wonder what other secrets this mysterious place holds. I'm looking forward to the conclusion!
ReplyDeleteI am disappointed that you are enjoying the story Bonnie! I wanted you to be **** scared!
DeleteThose are lovely shots. So much green and peace.
ReplyDeleteExcept for the terror of Stanedge Lodge . . .
Re your comment of yesterday, I was not serious about the swearing!
I guessed that as I understand that women from Nova Scotia can curse like convicts!
DeleteWe're on the edge of our seats here YP, waiting for the conclusion - or will we be left in the air wondering what finally happened?
ReplyDeleteAt least we know you got away !
Did I CG? Perhaps I am still trapped in Stanedge Lodge.
DeleteIt's such a bother.
ReplyDeleteHaving been in detention these past couple of days for making inexcusable typo transgressions, as well as having to deal with more important issues than minor errors in my blog posts and responses, I'm running behind in the reading of blogs of others. I have yet to read the latest two chapters of your story, Yorkie.
However, catch up, I shall. I'll find a few punctuation marks, and pause a while.
I would be most honoured milady if thou wouldst cast thy sparkling stars o'er my humble scribblings.
DeleteI love the place and road names! Good pictures, too.
ReplyDelete