I was there earlier today. Taking a long hike in the lovely June weather. No need for a jacket. My FDNY T shirt would suffice. I parked Clint near the church in Mottram-in-Longdendale, smeared any exposed skin with sun cream and then set off.
After eight miles I felt weary in the sunshine. Mottram church was just ahead. I would go over a stile and descend into a wooded valley where a stream ran. Up the other side and then through the cemetery to the old church.
But just one problem. Cattle! They were milling around near the stile . A motley crew of around thirty - including a few calves. They had broad bottoms. There was no way that I was going to panic them. They seemed very interested in me - as if I was a pop star getting off an aeroplane. A diversion was in order.
I changed my footwear and put my hairy broad bottom into Clint's cockpit, ready for the hour long drive back to Sheffield via Glossop and The Snake Pass. Yet another "Grand Day Out". I could say more, much more, but on this occasion I won't.
The cows keep giving you a bad time. If it was me I'd just get in that fence as if nothing was there. Cows won't follow you. they soon lose interest.
ReplyDeleteEvery year people are killed or badly injured by cattle. I do not want to be part of those statistics. You are a brave an optimistic guy Keith!
DeleteThe house and church are handsome buildings. It seems an unusual position of the church tower, but it works.
ReplyDeleteI have often driven by that church Andrew. It stands in a prominent position above the village but yesterday was the first time I had ever visited it.
Delete"Your hairy broad bottom...", that's quite a visual you've provided us with. No photos of the Bottoms reservoir? You drove almost all the way to Manchester for your walk. How do you decide where you're going?
ReplyDeleteVery often I study maps and find places I have not been before then I work out a nice circular route. The muscles of my hairy broad bottom help to propel me.
DeleteThose are gorgeous places and cows. They do look very interested in you! It's pleasant here too although we've had a run of chillier weather. (lows of 44 at night) However, I prefer that to the 87 degrees we had a week ago.
ReplyDeleteMay was grim here but June has started so beautifully.
DeleteIn less glorious sunshine, both The Hague and the church would have a rather Gothic atmosphere about them, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of sun, I have been told that sun cream is best applied about half an hour before exposing the skin to the sun for the protection to be fully effective.
You did well avoiding that cattle, especially with calves about.
Well - I never knew that about sun cream but I refuse to hang around for half an hour waiting.
DeleteYou could simply apply the cream before you set off. Clint certainly wouldn't mind the scent of sun lotion!
DeleteAll that grease! Clint would go berserk! He likes masculine smells - tar, petrol, oil and spilt beer.
DeleteNot sure I want to hear about your hairy bottom...broad or otherwise, while I am eating my breakfast!!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to eat breakfast when you are breathless and your heart is beating like a drum.
DeleteIs the church built from black stone? (millstone grit) one of the things I do not like in the Calder Vale are the mill houses dark and forbidding, it is so gloomy in dull weather. Your walks are always enjoyable especially when they are shared.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the blackness is connected with past industry - the same kind of blackening you see in The Calder Valley Thelma.
DeleteThe thought of that hairy broad bottom has put me off my breakfast.
ReplyDeleteWere you having toasted muffins smeared with Marmite?
DeleteOh gee, YP. That is gross.
DeleteHee-hee-hee!
DeleteCows in woods was the only time I've climbed over a barbed wire fence, jumped a ditch and struggled through a corn field to avoid them. Scary.
ReplyDeleteIt would be so easy to fall and get trampled. Not a nice way to go.
DeleteWhat good weather you had for your walk. The cow in the middle of the photo has a belligerent look about her, YP, and it was sensible to take evasive action
ReplyDeleteThe thing was that there was nowhere for them to run to Carol. I felt like a wimp but I did not want to risk it.
DeleteYet another English village with a funny name. Why is the church black? Coal soot?
ReplyDeleteYes - coal soot and industry. The North is much cleaner than it used to be.
DeleteI'm usually not to worried about the cows. It is the bulls that I keep an eye on.
ReplyDeleteI am very wary of bullshit. It seems to get everywhere.
DeleteGreat photos. They built buildings proper in those days.
ReplyDeleteMade to last. Not like today's buildings that are rushed up as economically as possible
DeleteI hope that your legs are now less fiery. I'm sorry that I was absent for your second post on Pigeonholing having remembered it and the gist of my comment from the first time around. Lowry was buried next to his parents in Manchester. I remember him dying. It was the year after I came up to Lewis.
ReplyDeleteI am very fond of Lowry and his unique style - as unique as the subjects he picked. Do you also like his work Graham?
DeleteVery much so.
DeleteI am very impressed with that black church. Thought maybe it was more modern than most. But I looked it up (of course) and it is very old and even the most recent facelift was eons ago. What a wonderful structure.
ReplyDeleteIf one went only by your pictures, my friend, one might think that cows outnumbered sheep in Yorkshire. Is that the case?
Beautiful walk as usual, Mr. Pudding.
We have many more sheep in Yorkshire PT but I should remind you that I was walking at the border between Derbyshire and Cheshire.
DeleteDo you tag on a church photo just to please that crypto-Calvinist Haggerty?
ReplyDeleteI hear he goes to the kirk on Sunday night, just to inspect the bonnets of the godly ladies, then slouches off to a pavement cafe for a Biere and Calvados.
I don't mind harlots but I can't abide a hypocrite.
Yours etc. Hamel(d)
I heard that as a boy his mind would wander when sitting in church - back to the time of dinosaurs.
DeleteChurches remain focal points in most rural communities and frequently the best buildings therein. You cannot ignore their presence.
These photos are fantastic. I love the look of that parish church. And the cows seem quite curious lol.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this trip to Broadbottom with us. I can't wait to read about more of your travels.
Wistful Dreamer is a fine name and one that might fit me well too. Thanks for calling by and leaving an encouraging comment.
ReplyDelete