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Bleatarn
Day 2 of our six day crossing of the north of Britain isthmus following the route of that wonderful piece of Roman civil engineering that stretches across North Britain isthmus from the Solway to the Tyne, Hadrian’s Wall. Yesterday we had caught the bus from Carlisle to Bowness, with the intention of walking back to…
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Port Carlisle
In the early 18th century, there were high aspirations to transform the Solway coast into ‘a second Liverpool.’ A canal was built, connecting the coast to Carlisle, and what was once a smattering of houses burgeoned into a flourishing village. This canal facilitated maritime navigation into Carlisle. The photo shows the entrance to the canal…
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Great Ayton Moor: big skies and an avian nesting ground
Great Ayton Moor offers vast open views like rural Suffolk, but closer. Moorland provides tranquility and habitat for birds like lapwing, golden plover, curlew and red grouse. In August, the heather blooms purple.
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From Cawdma to Cranimoor
Cold Moor, often overlooked, is a vast and rugged moorland offering stunning views. Its historical name, Mount Vittoria, hints at forgotten stories. A pit and boulder field on its peak adds to the mystery. Cringle Moor, a nearby peak with a distinctive shape, is a geological marvel.
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From a 19th Century Cottage to a Smoke-Free Future
This peaceful cottage hides a story: 1 resident in 1911, an “Engine Driver Oil” worker. And thoughts on the proposal to ban cigarette sales to create a smoke-free generation. Laws help change cultures, but so do stories, music, and images. They shape how we live.
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From Warren House to Toft Hill Scout Camp
From the vantage point up Kirby Bank, one’s eyes are drawn across the Vale of Cleveland to the iconic silhouette of Roseberry Topping. Closer though, in this picturesque view, stands the Pybus Scout Camp, its white facade gleaming under the cloudy sky. Adjacent to it lies Ricey Hill, adorned with the mellow yellow flowers of…
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<— To Highcliffe Nab <—
It struck me as a bit peculiar that explicit directions to Highcliffe Nab were considered necessary. One might conclude that folks have frequently found themselves inadvertently ending up at the nearby farm. However, upon closer observation, the reason became apparent: the gate stands firmly padlocked. Despite its designation as a Public Footpath, no stile offers…
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A speeat o’ rain
In this month of showers, a spate — a heavy downpour in the Cleveland vernacular — situated somewhere in the vicinity of Great Broughton. I don’t suppose that ‘spate‘ found its place amidst the 40,000 entries of Dr Samuel Johnson’s seminal dictionary, published on this very day in 1755. The laborious compilation consumed nearly a…
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Cuckoos on the Move as Cyclists Battle Up Saltburn Bank
In the women’s race of the Cleveland Classic, competitors ascend the formidable Saltburn Bank at the first of the event’s four laps. Cycling here, my ears were tuned keenly for that distinctive call of the first cuckoo of the year. Today marks Cuckoo Day, also known as St. Tiburtius’ Day, traditionally the day when the…
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Stinking Nanny’s Surprise: The Pungent Power of Ramsons
Ramsons, those delicate flowers of the forest floor, hold a secret. Typically, they signal the presence of an ancient woodland, flourishing in the quietude of undisturbed soil. But here lies a peculiar sight: these ramsons are thriving amidst the confines of a railway cutting. An anomaly, indeed. As I ventured deeper into Newton Woods, a…
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