Above Fernilee Reservoir
Since the snow fell early last Sunday morning, it has been bitterly cold up here in the north of England so any frost and snow has kept hanging about like an awkward guest at a Christmas party.
Today's forecast promised bright winter sunshine so I planned another long walk over the hills, just south of Whaley Bridge in the valley of The River Goyt. There there are two reservoirs that serve the town of Stockport (pop. 294,000) One was completed in 1938 and the other in 1967. I wasn't so much walking in a circle as in a sausage shape.
Fernilee
It was about nine miles in total and I was dressed fashionably for the occasion. This time - as well as my red thermal hat, fingerless gloves and Hull City manager's coat - I was also wearing my lined walking trousers. A stylish combo I'm sure you will agree.
Errwood
There was a lot of frost and light snow around so I am proud to report that I did not fall over once. As I plodded along the east side of Fernilee Reservoir, I stopped at a memorial bench to eat my cheese and pickle sandwich with a well-earned beaker of hot coffee.
I walked for almost four hours today and was back home for three thirty. Another grand day out. I hope you like the pictures.
The church at Taxal
Five bar gate in the frosty Goyt Valley
The first photograph would make an ideal wish card.
ReplyDeleteWe are approaching Hannukah (December 18-25).
The Festival of Light, the winter solstice, marking the lighting of the menorah.
I have been watching Rabbi Tovia Singer, a New Yorker now in Jerusalem.
One of many learned rabbis on YouTube.
I am just not into religion.
DeleteSmashing Winter photographs. You inspire to get walking on the hills.
ReplyDeleteIf you get wrapped up, walking in wintertime can be very pleasurable.
DeleteIf you like frosty, cold, icy photographs, I suppose they're okay. But I'm a bit confused. You made reference to "up here in the north of England" but I have looked at the map and find your Sheffield just about right smack in the center of England. So please explain. Unless England is only divided into the north and the south and thus Sheffield might creep over the midline a tad.
ReplyDeleteScotland does not count Bruce. Yorkshire and Lancashire as well as Northumberland, Cumbria and Durham make up most of "The North".
DeleteI love a gloriously sunny but very cold day.
ReplyDeleteAnd i love the photos of your walks.
Much better than a mild but grey day.
DeleteWhere's he photo of you with your winter clothing. Come to think of it I don't remember too many photos of you.
ReplyDeleteI am painfully shy and rather ugly too.
DeleteWarm and comfortable is far better than stylish, but if you can do both that's good too. The pictures are very lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you River.
DeleteCold like your breath shows as you breath out. I've heard of the River Goyt and Whaley Bridge by watching canal narrowboat YouTube clips, so there must be a canal there somewhere. Your photos are good of course, with very bright sunshine.
ReplyDeleteThe Peak Forest Canal terminates at Whaley Bridge.
DeleteWhat a beautiful walk on a beautiful day! We've had snow and frost but mostly grey skies; also, I had too many appointments at work this week to interrupt my day to walk before dark. The weekend will be busy as well, so a good long walk has to wait. In the meantime, I am enjoying your pictures.
ReplyDeleteBut you, walking in sausage shape? Cut back on the bacon butties for a while, and you'll soon be back to your regular size. ;-D
Ha-ha! You cracked a good one. I was in the shape of a Rote Wurst!
DeleteAnother selection of photos worthy of prizes.
ReplyDeleteThank you YP - it's good to see snowy pictures from my vantage point in a warmer climate! Although the sun is shining, it's only 10º this morning and forecast to be as low as 6º most mornings next week.
You will have to root out your woolly bloomers Carol.
DeleteBrrrr. I am hunting out a photo for my virtual Xmas card. Yours capture the clear, bright coldness of it all.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to pick one of mine, I will be truly honoured Thelma.
DeletePretty, but it looks chilly
ReplyDeleteWhen it's cold in England we very rarely experience anything below minus 3 or 4C.
DeleteI'm probably greener with envy than those pickles on your cheese sandwich. Beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteI have visited America several times and though I love your country I have noted the absence of rural footpaths - except for national parks and long distance trails. In England our intricate network of public footpaths is a real treasure.
DeleteFrom my understanding, one can even walk on private property on established paths in England where that is unheard of here.
DeleteHow lovely does all that look ..... our beautiful countryside in the snow. We had SO much more snow than you which is so unusual. XXXX
ReplyDeleteThe weather people comment about snow when it has fallen in the London area but tend not to mention it when it just falls Up North.
DeleteI love your walks. I'm envious of every part of it right down to the sandwich and thermos of coffee at break time. Yes, there is a sad absence of designated walking trails in Canada and the US.
ReplyDeleteGlad you could join me as a virtual walking partner Melinda.
DeleteWhat a perfectly beautiful day.
ReplyDeleteYes it was. So bright and sharp.
DeleteIt doesn't look much colder where you are than it is here -- although I imagine it is. We're still very snowy and frosty.
ReplyDeleteIt was minus 5C on Wednesday night.
DeleteI think we were minus 4!
DeleteI like your photos, Neil. It looks so crisp and vibrant - the bright blue reflected in the reservoir is terrific! I am not one for hiking in the cold as I am so fearful of falling! I will have to watch for sunny days and bundle up!
ReplyDeleteI must admit I was a little anxious about what the ground would be like underfoot but it turned out to be fine.
DeleteDo you still not carry a phone with you? If you take a tumble, how would you get help? Do you at least tell Mrs. P where you are going so that she can summon all the king's horses and all the king's men if you don't show up before dark?
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures. Why is it that two non-believers such as you and I relish taking pictures of Christian churches and their adjacent burial grounds? Odd.
I thought I had left a comment before. The photos look familiar. Have you been there before?
ReplyDelete