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Robinson's Cairn
Below Pillar Rock and overlooking the rewilding valley of Ennerdale. The copper plaque says it all: For the remembrance of John Wilson Robinson of Whinfell Hall in Lorton who died 1907 at Brigham one hundred of his comrades and friend raised this. He knew and loved as none other these native crags and fells. whence he drew simplicity strength and charm. “We climb…
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Low Scawdel
Three days in the Central Fells of the Lake District which is a black hole as far as mobile reception is concerned. This is the view down the valley from Borrowdale YH on a sunny Thursday afternoon. Wispy clouds above Low Scawdel, a knoll on the slopes of High Spy.
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Greenhow Bank
A sultry evening view towards Botton Head where the forestry plantations are systematically being clear felled. The Ingleby Incline, a former railway incline, can be seen ascending the bank right to left. Greenhow Bank is capped by a series of crags and rock outcrops over a distance of a hundred metres or so. This crag, with…
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Pond on Great Ayton Moor
For all the whinging about the British weather there are not many days in the year when I actually end up running in the rain. I did so this morning. With poor visibility I headed up onto Great Ayton Moor intending to look at the heather and ended up by this pond. I’m not sure if it’s natural…
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Red Barns
I read somewhere that if Gertrude Bell had been born a man she would be as well known today as Lawrence of Arabia. Even so a film ‘Queen of the Desert’ has been made of her life played by Nicole Kidman. Writer, traveller and mountaineer, Gertrude survived more than 50 hours on a rope on…
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Capt.Cook's Monument
I recently read an article which suggests a Masonic connection to the obelisk and with the great man himself. Apparently obelisks symbolize the Egyptian sun god Amon Re and its cap or ‘benben’ is actually a pyramid. Now a pyramid forms the basis of the Freemasonry symbol The Eye of Providence, a symbol which can be seen on the reverse of the Great…
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Westerdale
Better known as the name of the village, on the ridge on the right of the photo, but this upper part of the River Esk is mapped as Westerdale. The ling or heather is in full bloom. From John Breckon Road.
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Newton Moor
Back home on my home moors and I’m saddened to find the remains of a campfire on Newton Moor which is at the remotest part of the National Trust’s Roseberry Topping property. What makes it even more depressing is that the wooden post to which this sign was fixed has been used for fuel.
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Caolas Beag
One of the most memorable sights on the west coast of Scotland is the sunsets. This is from Big Sand near Gairloch across the Caolas Beag, the narrows or straits between Longa Island on the left and the mainland. Although the distance is about one kilometre Caolas Beag translates as small narrows.
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Mellon Charles
I first visited Loch Ewe in 2013 and was amazed on discovering its role in World War II. An unassuming role modestly portrayed in a few information boards scattered around its coast. WW2 remains abound, anti aircraft gun emplacements, military buildings and foundations. Loch Ewe is a deep sea loch and during the war it…
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