Author: Fhithich
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The Cheese Stones’ rock fonts
Elgee suggests the name Cheese Stones , “probably” originates because the rock was used in local cheese presses. Now that may be the case but I do not understand why rock from this particular outcrop should be used for pressing cheeses. In the same article, appearing in the Northern Weekly Gazette in 1902, the future…
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Crosscliff Beck
Volunteering with the National Trust at the furthest corner of what must be their remotest property. The task today was to repair the post and wire fencing along their boundary with Newgate Foot farm and to remove any overhanging branches from the alder and willow tress which align the beck. The boundary, actually along the…
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River Leven at Kildale
In spite of yesterday’s rain the River Leven looks very tranquil. Unlike the state it would have been on the 21st July, 1840, when heavy rain caused the Kildale fish pond to burst causing flooding downstream and washing away Kildale Mill and two stone bridges.
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“With great power comes great responsibility”
So said Spiderman. It’s a pity those who manufactured, sold, or brought this balloon didn’t show any responsibility. I’m not sure what it’s made of — some sort of petrochemical material no doubt. ‘Mylar‘ is one brand make for these helium-filled balloons. There are many reported cases of animals dying from ingesting discarded balloons, (here’s…
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Once again woke up to a duvet smothering Cleveland …
… but pleasing to see it overflowing into a cloudless Bilsdale. Taken from the 390m spot height half way along the Cold Moor ridge. White Hill, aka Hasty Bank, on the far side of the mist flowing over Garfit Gap — named after the farm of the south side of the hill and documented as…
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Ground hugging mist slowly dissipating as the day warms
Roseberry was busy this morning. Along with the usual Sunday climbers, there was an abseil down the rock face going on and runners in the ‘Hanging Stone Leap‘ race. It was the 31st running of the event, although the inaugural race was run in 1988. So there’s been a bit of a gap. Today’s race…
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A longing look at a sea fret
Stanghow Moor, looking back towards Low Moor, amputated by the A170. A distant bank of cloud suggests a sea fret. But first, Live Moor, east of Birk Brow, a sad patch of heather moorland, scarred by generations of motorcyclists, and, in the 17th-century, by poor Jenny Frisk when she was ducked in a witch trial.…
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Wilton village
Perhaps the most least known village of Teesside. Its tweeness belies its proximity to the petrochemical industries of the Wilton International Site, or whatever it calls itself nowadays. Wilton offers plenty of photogenic opportunities. The ‘Castle’, rebuilt 1807 and now a golf club; the old school, built 1855, and the church, rebuilt 1907/8. I think…
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Site of Blakey House
A lone gate post and some lumps and bumps mark the site of a long gone farmstead called Blakey House. The buildings must have been still extant pre-WW2 as is it recorded they were destroyed during military trainingfor that conflict. The age of the farmstead is given as ‘post medieval’ which could be anytime between…
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The Ghost of Hoggart’s Wood
The Cleveland Hills once formed a intimidating barrier that kept the dales in isolation. Access was by steep unmade tracks, Turkey Nab, Clay Bank, Carlton Bank, Scarth Nick. Nowadays of course, (most of) these routes have been tarmaced and the internal combustion engine has made the climb so much easier. The route from Ingleby Greenhow…