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Scugdale
A difficult ascent of the ‘green lane’ between Scugdale and Raisdale hindered a large party of off road motor cyclists coming down. Not aggressive but nevertheless very intimidating. I did take some pictures of the bikers but eventually settled on a nice rainbow to post. instead. Several years ago there was talk of the National Park closing the lane…
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Hutton Hall
Only appreciated in its wooded grounds from this height on Kemplah Bank. Sir Joseph Whitwell Pease, Bart, M.P., had Hutton Hall built as his country pile in 1866 which even included its own private railway station on the North Eastern Railway at Hutton Gate. The Pease money came from the railways, coal and iron, built…
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Arthur's Pike
Above Whinny Crag, above the elbow in Ulf’s lake where the whole of its nine mile length can be seen. In the ’60s Ullswater almost became a reservoir, following in the fate of Thirlemere and Haweswater but a passionate speech by Lord Birket, persuaded the House of Lords to defeat the proposal.
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Mostly Herdwicks
Sandwick: sorting the sheep probably for tupping. Mostly Herdwicks with their unique genome that no other bred has. The red smit mark along with the ear clipping identifies the flock, passed down the generations from shepherd to shepherd.
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Martindale Red deer
Too tired to move but alert and watching us closely. Up all night and day rutting and keeping rivals at bay. Bellows echoing around the fells.
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Pooley Bridge
In the Lakes for a few days. Last of the afternoon sun. Looking down Elder Beck towards Ullswater and Pooley Bridge. The wooded hill in Dunmallard with its ancient settlement.
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Skelton Park Pit
Very little remains of Cleveland ironstone mines. It was second only to coal as the UK’s biggest extractive industry. Ironstone had been mined in the Cleveland Hills since the 12th Century when primitive furnaces called bloomeries were used to melt the iron out of stone gained from rock outcrops along the dale sides. But it…
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The best thing about Pteridium aquilinum …
… is when it’s dying off. Bracken, carcinogenic, toxic to livestock, invasive and dominating, smothering the growth of other plants. At the height of the summer it forms an impenetrable undergrowth. Yet the autumn bracken changes to rich yellow hues. Super even on a drizzly morning.
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Red Admiral
I have’t noticed many butterflies this year. Has there been a shortage? This Red Admiral was fluttering about the ivy flowers on a hedge on Dykes Lane at Gribdale. It’s one of the last butterflies to be seen before winter sets in. Arriving in the spring from the continent nettles are a major food source for its caterpillars.…
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Saltburn Pier
“Forth, Tyne, Dogger: East 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in Forth and Dogger, veering southeast 4 or 5 later. Rough, occasionally very rough later in Forth and Dogger. Occasional rain. Moderate or good”. A late afternoon walk on the beach at Saltburn with the tide on the turn. Breezy and big seas.
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