Splendour

The Sheffield suburb of Totley - seen from Totley Moor

Tomorrow, Friday, I plan to go for another walking expedition in virgin territory just south of Huddersfield. I will take a local train up there. It stops at fifteen mostly small stations on the way - including Berry Brow. Using my senior railcard, the fare is only £8 return (US$10.60). However, as I write this, my e-ticket has still not arrived in my e-mail inbox. I have only got the booking confirmation. Normally the two e-mails arrive in quick succession. Ah well, it's not the end of the world... or is it?

Today I went out into the autumn sunshine, leaving Butch in the little car park at the end of Penny Lane just south of Dore. I know that area like the back of my hand and have seen it different seasons, different months, different years. It is amazing that you can find such tranquility in nature on the very edge of this city. I only saw three other walkers and a mountain biker. The walk took little more than an hour.

In places, it was as if the trees were on fire in their autumn splendour. The four pictures that accompany this blogpost were taken this very day.

Once back home, I continued preparing the big cottage pie I made for our family tea (Posh people: dinner). The beef mince with onions and diced carrots was cooked slowly to soften it all. For the mash on top, I followed my customary habit of using a 50/50  mixture of potato and swede (American: rutabaga) and then on top of that grated cheddar cheese. Then into a hot oven for half an hour.

It was well-received but Phoebe objected to having cabbage as a side dish and wanted it off her plate ASAP. After all, she could have contracted mad cabbage disease!

The e-tickets have still not arrived and the company - Northern Rail - shut down their customer helpline at night which is very helpful! But I'm still going to Berry Brow in the morning.