Author: geoffspages

Littleton revisited

On By geoffspagesIn Railways...Leave a comment

There’s been a Littleton page in the “Rail Diaries” for some time – photos from a visit in April 1976. Recently, with a new scanner, I’ve tackled the photos taken on an earlier visit in February of the same year. It was a dull day, and I was using (trying out, in effect – with hindsight not a good idea) an unusual home-processed slide film. This time, the scans were usable (if not exactly brilliant).

The April photos have been rescanned too – and all photos are larger than before. For the full set of photos from both February and April 1976, and some details on the fun and games with slide film in the kitchen sink, (re)visit “Littleton” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries

Old Haunts

On By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

Three days in Yorkshire, for an exploration of  places that once were familiar and regular venues for family outings

Bridlington:

Sutton Bank:

A walk from the top of the once-notorious ascent, on the main road from Thirsk to Scarborough, along to the gliding field and the White Horse

Scar House and the Druid’s Temple:

The road to Scar House dam follows the trackbed of the railway used when the reservoirs were built, to the site of the contractors’ “village”. Reservoirs aside, the upper reaches of Nidderdale are remote and bleak. An old track, impassable to all bar walkers, leads over Dead Man’s hill to Coverdale

From Lofthouse, a hill road leads to Masham (that’s “Massem”, not “Mashem”). The Druid’s Temple is near Ilton, a little way off the direct routs. It’s not as old as it looks (see http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/north-yorkshire/featured-sites/druids-temple-ilton.html) and was a fun place when we were children – no-one else knew about it. It was rather crowded on this cold, clear February day (dodgy-looking “druids”…)

Wenlock, Homer and Wigwig

On By geoffspagesIn Walks1 Comment

Homer and Wigwig lie to the north-west of the Wenlock Edge, near Much Wenlock. I visited the former (there’s nothing there, apart from houses) and viewed the latter (a large farm) on this walk from the NT car park in Much Wenlock. Shame the weather wasn’t a bit brighter – no sunshine. just unremitting grey skies. At least it’s not as cold as it was last week.

The route might have been slightly different if I’d remembered to take the map…

The Munslows

On By geoffspagesIn Walks1 Comment

I don’t think the temperature ever rose above 1ºC, but it was a great afternoon for a wander on these south-east facing slopes of the Wenlock Edge. With no wind, the sun felt warm, but the air was starting to feel really cold by the time we dropped back down the lane to Aston Munslow.

Up the Wrekin

On By geoffspagesIn WalksLeave a comment

Again! It’s a great short walk, perfect for a cold winter afternoon (soon warming up on the plod uphill), with wonderful views across the Severn to the south Shropshire hill country.

I continued along the ridge, descending to Little Hill. There’s virtually no view (unless trees are “view”). Returned to the car along the path through the woods on the north-west side.