8 December 2022

09.21

By The Peak Forest Canal

If you have been popping round to this blog for a good while, you will know that I harvest much pleasure from a long photo walk in unfamiliar territory. There's the map reading, the exercise, the history and the photo-taking. They combine like a chemical formula.

This morning I got up with the sun for a change, took a shower straight away and then came downstairs for breakfast with my habitual pint of tea. I made a ham roll and a flask of coffee to take with me on my latest adventure in the December cold. It was nice not to have to rush. 

I filled  my backpack and checked that I had everything I needed. I had made sure that my camera battery was fully charged and I had printed off a map that would guide me south from New Mills Central railway station and round in a big circle.

Though short as all days are at this time of year, it was nonetheless destined to be as sharp and bright as a new pin. I had my red "Thinsulate" woolly hat, my fingerless gloves and my big Hull City manager's coat.

My train over the hills left Dore and Totley Station at 09.21 and I arrived at New MIlls at 10.02. It can be hard to estimate how long a circular walk might take but I hoped to catch the 15.16 back to Sheffield. If I missed that one I could always catch the 16.16.

Well I did manage to catch the 15.16 after five hours of walking - stopping only for coffee and my ham roll. I saw many things and had a lovely day out. It was good to be fatigued and by the time I got back to Clint - parked on Dore Road not far from the station - the December sun had disappeared - beckoning another early  Arctic night.

On days like these I feel truly alive and grateful that my body is strong and pain-free. It might not always be this way.

The River Goyt

Frozen cuddly crab in Disley

The Dipping Stone - Scheduled Ancient Monument

Ruined barn near Cock Knoll

Walkway by The River Goyt in New Mills

43 comments:

  1. What a lovely walkabout.

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    1. Maybe I am a sad guy but I was thrilled.

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  2. Great shots, especially the top one. I don't think I've ever seen a cuddly crab before! I completely identify with how you feel on a long walk -- it is invigorating and a wonderful reminder of the beauty of the world around us.

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    1. In these feelings we are united Steve.

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  3. I admire you for walking in these cold temperatures; I was ready to retreat indoors after a half hour walk with the dog. Stunning photos as per usual, I particularly like the canal shot.

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  4. Sunrise, about 8am. I am not terribly impressed by your early rise. The light looks so nice in your photos. It was quite a big day out for you.

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    1. I am very much a night owl Andrew. Getting my ass into gear so early was quite an achievement,

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  5. Lovely photos, thank you. What was the dipping stone used for?

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    1. Those stones were carved maybe a thousand years ago. It is believed they held stone guideposts - like sockets but nobody knows for sure.

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  6. Would you give me permission, brother, to try to paint, in my own way, the River Goyt? with autumn leaves on those trees? What beautiful pictures!!! Are you using a different lens for your camera or for posting? What a wonderful walk, my friend. By the way, I have to now look up "puerile," a word I have never seen or heard before.

    As to your question of a few days ago, I think I do not have the inclination to spend my valuable EYE time on a new Blog. Even a little bit of time. Even if I had a lot to say, which I don't. I will lose sight in one eye completely soon and would rather read your blog and others and paint,Paint, PAINT and sew and READ, READ, READ until that happens.

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    1. Be brave Donna! You are welcome to paint The River Goyt. In fact I am very honoured that you have proposed this. May I please have an image of it when it is done? You are right to make the most of your eyesight while you have it.

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  7. A routine has to be set up and followed to get out.

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  8. You are wise to do it while you can. Far longer so far than many of us, I dare say. I love your photos of the countryside.

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    1. And I am happy to take you with me Bruce. You seem like a nice guy... but I could be terribly wrong!

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    2. Oh you are, you are.

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  9. Beautiful photos. I see one of those barges has smoke coming from the chimney, so I guess people live on them. I keep promising myself I'll start walking again. One day.

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    1. The narrow boats or barges are mostly just pleasure craft. Very few people live on them 365.

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  10. I know exactly what you mean about feeling truly alive out there, perfectly at home in your body. It is one reason why we love walking so much, isn't it. And I guess you can guess which is my favourite photo of this post.
    Before I read the caption for the crab picture, I thought it was something real... dead.
    Maybe I am feeling somewhat morbid today because of R's funeral this afternoon.
    The thermometer shows -4C as we speak, the coldest of this season so far.

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    1. I know you like the ruined barn with its tantalising echoes of past times,

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  11. Superb photos as always YP.
    This time of year the chilly temperatures add a wonderful clarity to the scenery as you walk along. That first photo is worthy of first prize in any competition - in fact they all are.

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    1. Even though I have never met you in "real life" Carol, I appreciate your kind support. Thank you.

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  12. Each picture has a story to tell, hasn't it.
    I can feel the cold seeping through my screen.....

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    1. It was invigorating and rarely slippery. I felt so alive.

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  13. Lovely photos. The epitome of an English winter.

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  14. Nice walk, thank you for virtually taking us along.

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    1. You are very welcome Travel. I'll do the cold and you can stay snuggled up in front of your screen.

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  15. Ditto what Steve said. I like that top photo. To repeat what I've also said before, I'm a bit envious of your walking situation over there.

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    1. Most English people are blind to this treasure.

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  16. The top photo with the lady dog Walker and the narrow boats is amazing. It could be an oil painting. Definitely one of your best.

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  17. Looks as cold up there as it is down here. I envy you that walk - wish I could do that right now!

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    1. At least you could have a virtual walk with me ADDY... so much virtue it hurts!

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  18. Your photos match your writing as ever.
    The mill by the River Goyt: I enjoy hearing about unknown rivers.
    The Dipping Stone, out on the airy heights. I am seeing Cathy & Heathcliffe.
    The misty sunlight by Peak Forest Canals.
    Did the canal engineers know they would leave us such aesthetic delight ?

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    1. No they didn't. They were intensely practical men. Not spire-dreaming blokes like me and you.

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    2. Beauty & engineering are not mutually exclusive, lad.
      Any more of thy hash and I'll set Tasker on thee.

      As for dreaming spires, dost thou forget the guild stone masons ?
      They dreamed their dreams in their Masonic Lodges.
      Kipling, our finest short story writer, was a Mason and proud of it.

      I met my love by the gas works wall.
      Dreamed a dream by the old canal.
      I kissed my girl by the factory wall.
      Dirty old town, dirty old town.

      Ewan MacColl, celebrating smoky Salford.
      Sung by the Dubliners and the Pogues.

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    3. I have briefly lowered my head - suitably admonished - like a mischievous Jack Russell.

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  19. How lucky you are! Thanks so much for sharing your hike with us, Neil! It is cold and rainy here today so I will be stuck inside. I will put up my Christmas decorations and read a book. Not as exciting as your day! :)

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    1. It pleases me that you could come along Ellen. My leg muscles are achy today. It has been a while.

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  20. I envy your enthusiasm for a 5 hour walk. I wish I had that kind of passion for walking. Your pictures are fantastic.

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    1. I know the walks are good for me - helping me to live longer. That is just part of the inspiration Melinda.

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