Here we are at the end of another working week with the August bank holiday looming. It’s been an odd week here at Bigland Towers, the classic curate’s egg. I’ve enjoyed getting out and about to see the latest High Speed 2 railway construction milestone in Birmingham (a full blog and pictures to follow shortly). The weather’s been rather indifferent and the nights are certainly drawing in, heralding next month’s change of season. I’d have liked to have got out more but there’s been a lot to do at home, partly because Dawn’s had a tough week so I’ve been on hand to offer tea and sympathy. Oh, and breakfast lunch and dinner as required!
On the bright side, I’ve also booked a fortnight in Portugal for the pair of us, starting in the first week of September. This will see us exploring the Algarve, Lisbon, Porto and the Douro valley, travelling by train. We’re both really excited about the trip, we just need to bottom out a few details – like where we’re actually going to stay! That will be one of the tasks this weekend as we’re not planning to go far over the bank holiday – although there will be some walking involved – somewhere.
Right now it’s time to sign off and relax. I’ll leave you with today’s picture, which is one I’ve been meaning to use for a few days. I have a 105mm micro lens which really doesn’t see much use nowadays (I’m hoping to put that right in Portugal), but I couldn’t resist digging it out when I saw this opportunity last week.
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The alarm roused me at the ungodly hour of 05:00. Now, having shaved, showered and kissed Dawn goodbye, I’m sitting on Sowerby Bridge station, awaiting the arrival of the 06:23 to Manchester. It’s a grey, drizzly morning here in the Calder valley with the valley tops hidden under cloud. Still, it was refreshing to walk downhill all the way today, rather than having to climb the cobbles of Wakefield Gate to summit Spring Edge before dropping down into Halifax. That certainly gets the blood pumping first thing in the morning!
06:45.
My ride in the shape of a 3-car Class 195 arrived a couple of minutes late.
Now, having traversed the valley and passed through the Summit tunnel we’ve emerged into Greater Manchester, where the weather’s no different to Yorkshire! My train’s filled up en-route. Now it’s busy with early-birds heading into the city for work. Many are dozing, catching a few more minutes precious rest and peace.
08:00.
I arrived in Manchester on time and with plenty of it to spare, allowing me to take a slow amble between Victoria and Piccadilly whilst getting a few tram shots en-route. Now I’m settled on my 2nd train of the day, Cross-Country’s 08:03 to Paignton, which is being worked by a 4-car Class 220. My feelings about putting out 4-car Voyagers on the Manchester-Birmingham intercity route are well known. This one’s already packed and we haven’t even left Manchester yet!
220005 jn ‘pride’ livery is my second steed.
08:45.
Because there’s a blockade on at Stockport whilst road bridges over the railway at Greek St are replaced, my trains going off piste, travelling via the alternative route to Wilmslow via the Styal loop, then staying on the main line to Crewe, avoiding the normal route via Stoke on Trent and Norton Bridge. This brings the rare sight of Cross-Country Voyagers to Crewe – although we pass through without stopping. Mind you, Voyagers of any sort are rare at Crewe now that Avanti have ditched their fleet which used to pass through to/from the North Wales Coast.
Whilst cloud levels have lifted here in Cheshire/Staffordshire, the day remains dull. I’m hoping for an improvement when we reach the West Midlands, although I’m happy enough not to have to fight strong shadows and backlighting whilst we’re looking at 1000s of tonnes of rusty steel bridge this morning!
12:20.
The site visit is over – and it’s been fasinating! Here’s how the Smallbrook bridge looks now. The work is several days early. One last 12 meter push tonight should see it in its final position.
I’ll write about this in greater length later.
19:45.
Apologies for the gap. After the press event Chris Howe and I went for a drink in the Woodsman pub nearby. We talked HS2, the state of the UK media and politics in general before heading in different directions. I ended up tarrying in central Birmingham just to soak up the atmosphere. The city is one of my guilty pleasures as I really enjoy my visits. I ended up in conversation with these people – whom Reform MPs and voters would hate- for obvious reasons.
Jesus and Allah? That’ll upset Reform and the faux Christians
Having enjoyed the city vibe I made my way back North in stages. A brief stop in Wolverhampton was followed by another stop in Stafford. I stayed longer at my best interchange (Crewe) as there was so much going on- and so many memories. Plus, I was hoping to get shots of diverted Cross-Country services, which proved more difficult than I hoped due to signallers sending them off the Fast lines.
Even so, it’s been a really interesting day. Now, I’m heading for Manchester on an old Midlands Class 323 via the airport. After the scrimmage on trains out of Birmingham, it may be slow – but at least it’s comfortable!
21:30.
I’m on the last leg home. My local train to Manchester remained relaxed even after calling at the airport. I guess it was the wrong time for arrivals/departures. The city centre remained busy with the usual mixture of people enjoying the nightlife, feral young lads desperate to attract the attention of their bored female companions and the smattering of homeless trying to beg and be anonymous at the same time. Talk about the whole of human life…
Having wandered across the city I had nearly 30 mins to wait for a train, so a swift half in the Victoria Tap was in order before boarding the 21:21 bound for Leeds. This 3-car train is rather quiet as its running in that quiet time between commuters having returned home and leisure travellers still enjoying their evening. Plus – it’s Tuesday, not a day renowned for revelling!
23:15.
I’m home and resting after a long day, but there’s on last thing I want to add to the blog. Today’s world photography day, so here’s my contribution, which was captured at Crewe station earlier.
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Well, we finally made it to the Southport flower show yesterday. The antibiotics I’d been prescribed had reduced the swelling of my hand enough that I could use my camera again without problems, which was a relief. Plus, the weather was back to wall to wall sunshine. Dawn drove us over to Southport on roads that were busy, but idiot free – even the M62 was behaving itself.
We didn’t attempt to park near Victoria Park, the venue for the flower show. Instead we left the car up on the Marine Drive and enjoyed a walk along the seafront – which had the dual benefit of gaining us exercise and saving us over 6 quid in parking fees! I’d not been to the flower show since I was a teenager, some half a century ago – so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Gone are the old staples, horse-jumping, the White Helmets motorcycle display team and the Red Arrows. In their place were falconry and canine display teams, alpacas and a few ponies – which made for a lot less noisier day! Despite it being the last day of the show, the place seemed packed. Lots of people were towing collapsible trollies they’d brought in order to cart away plants that were being sold off at the end of the day, which made navigating your way through the crowds a bit of a trip hazard, but also added to the atmosphere with people towing all sorts of exotic blooms or bushes along behind them.
One of the marquees we particularly enjoyed was the themed flower displays as many of them were very creative. Today’s picture is of one favourite. See if you can guess what it is…
Having walked miles around the show in the blazing sum we headed off to join my sister and her partner (along with her daughter’s family) in the tranquil setting of his garden for a few drinks and a catch-up, rounding off what had been a lovely day.
Now it’s a new week. The weather back here in West Yorkshire’s been dull and cloudy, such a contrast to Sunday. As the two of us have been working from home it’s not been an issue. However, tomorrow morning I’ll be in Birmingham on a press visit to one of the High Speed 2 railway construction sites. After that I’ll be spending the rest of the day exploring lines around the black country before heading home, so expect a rolling blog documenting the day. Until then, goodnight…
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I hadn’t intended writing a reservoir blog today. Far from it. We should’ve been at the Southport flower show, but yesterday I was stung on the lefthand by some flying critter which – unbeknown to me – had landed on my long camera lens when I was taking pictures at Deansgate. As I swung the camera up to grasp the lens I felt an electric shock, then saw something fly off in an erratic fashion but not before the little bugger has left me a present jabbed into the joint of my index finger. I thought no more about it as it stung but wasn’t too much of a problem – until I woke up this morning…
Overnight, my left hand had swollen up like an overstretched balloon, with the skin displaying some interesting if alarming colours and the centre of the sting looking very angry indeed. So, a trip to A&E it was! Calderdale Royal infirmary is a modern hospital with excellent staff, but waiting times in A&E can vary considerably. Today wasn’t the best day as we spent all morning there, however, the Asian Doctor who treated me was really very good, being both thorough and informative. The result was I came away with lots of good advice and reassurance plus a course of antibiotics as the sting was clearly infected.
All of this put paid to going to the flower show.
Instead we spent the much of the day pottering around at home. My arm was in a sling so I wasn’t able to do too much, leaving poor Dawn to bear most of the domestic burden. Dee’s been a star throughout, hanging around with me in A&E and driving me where I needed to go – as well as picking up on the jobs I’d normally be doing.
By late afternoon we’d both had enough as the weather was superb, so we decided to nip out for a while. At my suggestion we drove up to Baitings reservoir, just to see how things were going. The answer? Badly, as these pictures illustrate.
Looking towards the dam from the old road bridge which is normally submerged.I walked further along the dry reservoir bed to get shots of the two bridges together which shows how the stream that feeds the reservoir with water off the moors is reduced to a trickle. Looking at the old bridge I’d estimate that levels have dropped by at least 6 feet since our last visit. The parlous state of the reservoir. Yorkshire water reckon their reservoirs are around 42% full right now compared to the seasonal average of 75%. I’d suggest that Baitings is far lower than that. Give it another few weeks and I doubt there’ll be much left at all.
Tomorrow we might make another attempt to attend the Southport flower show. My hand seems to be responding to the antibiotics, antihistamines and Ibuprofen (even if I do rattle when I walk), but we’ll see how things are in the morning. My view is – as long as it hasn’t dropped off during the night…
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I’m having time away from the office today to make the most of the latest good weather and meet up with an old friend in Manchester later this afternoon.
Right now, I’m aboard Northern’s 10:17 from Halifax to Manchester Victoria, traversing the Calder valley.
The valley’s looking very lush at the moment. Whilst Network Rail has been busy felling lineside trees on the approach to Sowerby Bridge the stations along the line are a riot of colour and blooms thanks to the efforts of the various station friends groups. Some lineside locations are trying to compete. West of Todmorden, the embankment has been taken over by the invasive and pernicious Himalayan Balsam.
10:55.
We’ve now crossed the Pennines and called at Rochdale, which has provided another rich crop of passengers for this four-car train. The weather’s vloudier than I’d hoped, but temperatures are still in the middle 20s, so I’m not complaining!
12:30.
I hung around Victoria just long enough to change trains in order to visit Salford Crescent and inspect the work on building the new (3rd) platform, which is progressing well.
Next stop was a station i’ve not taken any shots at for a while – Deansgate. The surrounding area is a mix of Victorian red brick plus modern glass and steel high-rise with the railway threading its way through the middle on a series of viaducts (pix later).
14:35.
Having walked to Oxford Rd station, where I managed to get a range of shots before moving on to Piccadilly, I’m now having a hiatus as I watch the trains go by whilst getting a few pictures. There’s lots of local railway enthusiasts out and about the Oxford Rd corridor today due to the nain line through Stockport being closed whilst a major road bridge above the railway is replaced. The closure has caused many services to be diverted – especially freight. A Liverpool – Drax power station ‘biomass’ service heading this way seemed to attract many photographers. They’d been around for a while, but as soon as it passed through they all disappeared, leaving ne with the platform to myself!
Piccadilly is quieter than normal as local services that passed through Stockport that can’t be diverted have been replaced by buses.
16:05.
I’ve abandoned heavy rail for light and a side-trip to Chinatown to stock ip on goodies from one of my favourite shops. I’m now laden with Kecap Manis, Hoisin ans fish sauce, pea aubergines, and some fiery red chillies.
21:25.
Well, that was a fun! Having wandered the rails around ManchesterI met up with my old friends and some of his rail colleagues in a location I’ve never visited before.
As you can imagine, after a few pints folk were putting the railway to rights.The big difference? They have the operational experience.
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Yesterday the weather was perfect for an amble around another reservoir in another area that we hadn’t previously explored – only driven past. Widdop is one of a series of reservoirs on the moors above Hebden Bridge, heading towards Colne and Burnley. You really are on the top of the world here. The reservoir is in a valley surrounded by steep-sided hills with some interesting rocky outcrops along their crests.
Sadly, there’s no circular walk around the reservoir, but that wasn’t a problem today as the water levels were so low it was possible to walk along the dried out banks. Shrinking water levels have reduced the size of the reservoir by 50-60% and around 15 feet in depth.
We started out by walking across the dam itself before scrambling uphill to the ‘Cludders’ a ridge of gritstone crags with some fascinating stones, including one that’s perched precariously atop another. You can learn a lot more about the rocks and the surrounding geology by copy and pasting this link;
The scramble’s well worth it, as the view from the rocks (and the rocks themselves are stunning.
Looking North-West from the Cludders up the valley towards Lancashire. Looking back towards the Cludders from the South shore of the reservoir. Looking East towards the dam from the far end of the reservoir, which gives you an indication of how low it is.
We thoroughly enjoyed the landscape and have vowed to return to explore more as there’s an extensive network of footpaths across the moors to surrounding reservoirs. The only sad note is the fact that the one country pub in the area (the Pack Horse Inn, dating from 1610) closed down earlier in the year, so if you plan to visit, bring your own refreshments.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Hi folks. We’ve had a busy weekend and it’s late so here’s a short blog encapsulating two hectic days. I’ll be writing more about Saturday and Sunday later as they’ve been very different in character and worth describing at greater length.
Yesterday we attended ‘Craggfest’ for the first time. It was a cracking event full of fun and music, showcasing some of the best the Calder Valley community has to offer. Here’s a couple of shots.
It’s not my horizon that’s on the blink – honest! The field that Craggfest is held in is typical West Yorkshire – less than flat! So, the marquee that holds the stage, bar and food looks distinctly wonky.Sadly, we couldn’t stay until late, but we did hear a variety of talented local bands, including this one, which featured younger musicians
Today (Sunday) the weather had picked up so we ventured out on another reservoir trip to a place we’d never walked around before. Widdop, on moors North-West of Hebden Bridge. Conditions were ideal, although the reservoir had shrunk to half its normal size. The ridges either side of the reservoir contain some fantasic rock formations.
This evening we’ve retreated back to Bigland Towers where I’ve been on cooking duty whilst Dee prepares for the week ahead. We fancied a dish I haven’t cooked for a while – cucumber curry, here’s how it progresses.
The basic ingredients, minus a few dried red chili’s abd a teaspoon of sugar.Step 2. On the right is the coconut sauce with the red pepper, cucumber, peanuts and Turneric. In the frying pan are the other spices, chilli, curry leaves, and garlic.The finished article
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
I’m sorry my blogging has become so erratic recently. It’s due to a combination of factors but not having anything to talk about/spleen vent isn’t one of them! This week’s been one of trying to adjust to a new routine. Dawn (who’d been off for a while) returned to work on Monday. I’ve made it my priority to help her to ease back into the routine so my time has been spent at home, acting as ‘house husband’ – providing sustenance and support as needed. In the meantime, I’ve been trying to get back to work myself and re-establish a routine that allows me to juggle exercise with productivity. It’s not always been easy – especially when the weather decides you’re not part of its plan. We didn’t suffer too much from the latest storm, but it certainly announced its presence, stripping leaves and branches off surrounding trees whilst dumping a fair bit of water in its wake. Can we have the cloud-free skies and baking weather back, please?
On the positive side, staying at home has allowed me to plan a few adventures – starting next week when I’ll be back on the rails. I’ve also had final details of a couple of really enjoyable commissions in Swindon and Llanelli which I’m looking forward to as I can dovetail them with other work. Then there’s plotting some more foreign expeditions…
In the meantime, I’m determined to ensure the rest of the week is a mixture of productivity and fun (so I’m not going to talk about politics – just yet) whilst enjoying the weekend. There’s a local event called CraggFest happening, which sound like an ideal bit of escapism. Expect a report and pictures.
Right now I’ll leave you with a picture that’s unconnected with what I’ve been talking about, but it’s from a country that may feature on our itinerary later this year. Greece. After all, what could be more Greek than cats – and old doors?
Cat burglar caught in the act? Lakka, Paxos. Ionian Islands. September 2000.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Today’s been a good one here at Bigland Towers. Dawn was up early to travel to Holmfirth for a Reiki treatment whilst I stayed at home and caught up on some work, then gardening. The weather’s taken a change for the better here in the Pennines. Whilst we’re not back into heatwave territory the sun has made a welcome return, which has made all the difference.
This afternoon we decided to take time out and explore part of the area we’ve never walked before. This was the moors West of the Warley Moor Reservoir (which is home to the Halifax sailing club) onto Midgeley Moor, . The views up here are really good. You can see for miles in most directions. This time of year the heather is just springing into bloom which adds even more colours to the landscape.
Here’s a few pictures.
Looking East from Midgeley Moor. In the middle distance you can see the sails of yachts and sailboards on the reservoir whilst in the background are the wind turbines on Ovenden Moor.The footpath we traversed follows a catchwater drain which is crossed by several old stone bridges like this.Taking a break on the moors.
Having walked several miles we retraced out route back to the car to drive down the other side of the hills to nearby Oxenhope where we called in at the Bay Horse Inn, a lovely little pub which we’ve passed several times before but never visited. Today we put that omission right. They serve a great selection of well-kept real ales which you can quaff outdoors in their large seating area at the front of the pub. It’s a lovely sun-trap where you can watch the world go by.
Now we’re back at Bigland Towers, having a quiet night in and putting our (tired) feet up. Tomorrow’s weather’s looking good so we’re planning to catch up with a few chores before getting out again before the working week starts again. Watch this space…
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Here we are in a new month with time seeming to fly. August already? Sheesh!
I’ve had a quiet start to the month after expending a lot of energy (and shoe leather) yesterday, traipsing around Sheffield, then attending the opening of the ‘greatest gathering’ in Derby. As a consequence, much of my time’s been spent with my feet up as I edit the hundreds of pictures I’ve taken.
I’ve already started a new gallery on my Zenfolio website which is dedicated to to the greatest gathering. Here’s a link. I’ll be adding more pictures tomorrow, along with shots from Sheffield. Here’s a sample.
Don’t let the number fool you! This is LMS ‘Jubilee’ No 45699 ‘Galatea’ (built at Crewe works in 1936) masquerading as another (long scrapped) member of the class, 45627 ‘Sierra Leone’.
OK, that’s all for tonight folks, I’ll be blogging at greater length tomorrow.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Paul Bigland 