Today’s been a real mixture here at Bigland Towers. We’ve not had any rain today but the landscape remains damp and humid from the torrents we had yesterday, whilst heavy cloud prevents the sun from drying things up much. Whilst Dawn took it easy this morning I was busy pottering around whilst catching up on emails and planning future jobs – and sorting the cottage out ready for the impending arrival of our guest (Dawn’s Niece).

This afternoon we managed to get out, driving over to Huddersfield to drop off supplies at Dee’s parents – which included the latest batch of industrial quantity, home-cooked (gluten-free) Lasagne, which should keep them going for a while. After which we decided to go for a drive and clear our heads whilst exploring. We’d no destination in mind, we simply went where the roads took us – which was over the border from Marsden into Greater Manchester and the area around Uppermill and Greenfield. There was only one problem. It was raining cats and dogs over there – so we beat a hasty retreat back into Kirklees past Dovestones edge to Holmfirth, where the skies were much kinder. I’d have loved to have got some pictures en-route but the A635 is a bugger of a narrow road guarded by double yellow lines for most of its length. There’s nowhere to stop safely, even for a minute or two. Ho hum…

We ended up driving in a big circle before pitching up back in Slaithwaite (or ‘slawit’ depending on your particular pronunciation fetish) where we went for a stroll along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal before adjourning for a quick drink (and a slice of cake) sitting outside the Little Bridge, which is sandwiched between the canal and the river. To their credit, they serve beers from Empire brewing, a local micro-brewery a short stroll down the canal. I’d include a link, but it looks like their website’s been hacked, so here’s one from CAMRA instead.

Strangely, I didn’t use the camera once today. It wasn’t that sort of day and the two of us having quality time together was more important. So, today’s picture will have to be from another time. Slaithwaite’s a traditional old West Yorkshire mill town which has successfully reinvented itself as good tourist spot to visit for a drink or a meal. It also has a vibrant local community. It possesses a railway station on the Colne valley line from Huddersfield to Manchester, which cuts across the town on this rather impressive viaduct.

OK, time to go. Just as I was typing this Dawn relayed the news that Ozzy Osbourne, the lead singer of Black Sabbath has died at the age of 76. This brought back some memories. I saw Black Sabbath perform at the Floral Hall in Southport back in 1978. On that tour they were supported by a (then) unknown band called….Van Halen. There are two particular things about that gig that stick in my mind. Van Halen were amazing – and that my ears were still ringing two days after the event. The sound engineers must’ve though they were set up for a stadium, not some small provincial theatre!

To make me feel even older, I realise Dawn was 10 at the time!

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