Month: February 2024
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Morning Sun on Cold Moor
A panorama of Cold Moor from the vantage point of the Wainstones; to the right, the col known as Garfit Gap. What caught my eye in this view is the way the morning sun, hanging low, highlights the remains of the old jet mining drifts. These drift entrances, now long collapsed, appear as V-shaped scars…
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Connections: A Hidden Iron Age Gem to Trevelyan’s Controversial Past
According to the National Trust’s heritage records, this conspicuous feature is termed a “small univallate earthwork.” ‘Univallate’ is just a fancy way of saying it’s got one raised edge encircling a ditch. Usually, that word is usually associated with hillforts, but here, the lack of any visible signs of habitation inside points more towards a…
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Cragside
Exploring the National Trust’s Cragside near Rothbury. Lovely historic property, well maintained but a feeling of being corralled and cosseted — not an adventure.
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On the Simonside hills
On the Simonside hills. South of Rothbury in Northumberland lies a fine set of hills, especially when the weather behaves. In local tales, there’s this mythical creature dwelling in these hills. They call it a ‘deaugar’ (Norse for ‘dwarf’). Supposedly, it tricks folks at night with its lantern glow, leading them straight into bogs or…
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Stang Stoops and Slip Gates
Returning to Yoad House in Bransdale, the weather was a tad kinder this week, not as harsh as the last. The forecasted rain? Nowhere to be found. And, surprise, in the afternoon the sun decided to make an appearance. That stone post in the photo? It’s part of what is called a ‘stang stoop’ or…
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Celebrating Capt. James Cook
“Well there goes another February 14th. Evenings of whimsical sighs, chinking champagne glasses, and adoring compliments across the Pacific as indigenous folks send their thanks out to the Hawaiian cousins that took care of business, and finally put an end to the diseased, kidnapping, murderous, thieving invader called Captain James Cook.” So wrote Tina Ngata…
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Roseberry Topped Reflection
I recently read an article about the ecology of puddles, revealing their significance as habitats for certain invertebrate species. These small, transient pools offer a refuge from larger predators and competitors due to their isolated and short-lived nature. Many of these puddles hold high conservation value, housing rare specialist creatures. Noteworthy examples include the fairy shrimps…
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Collop Monday
Some folk may be aware that tomorrow marks Shrove Tuesday. This implies that today, a fact unknown to many, is Collop Monday, occurring two days before Ash Wednesday, which initiates the period of Lent. Traditionally on Collop Monday, people consume collops and eggs for breakfast. These collops typically consist of thick slices of pan-fried meat…
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Deep in Newton Wood—in search of Cold Well
On a rather damp morning, likely the dampest of this winter, I seized the opportunity to explore something that has lingered in my thoughts for quite some time. Attempting to do so last summer proved futile due to the impenetrable undergrowth. Within Newton Wood lies a feature labelled as “Cold Well” on the 1st edition…
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Easterside Hill, the sleeping behemoth
It was a magical moment, ascending from the sombre depths of Bilsdale up Newgate Bank, when we emerged into a realm of brilliance and lucidity, with a cloudless azure sky adorning the western horizon. And the formidable hogback of Easterside Hill loomed above the cloud like a sleeping behemoth. While the mist persisted in the…