Another day, another old railway track

This time it's part of the Monsal Trail in the Derbyshire Peak District, one we'd wanted to visit for some time.

Party leader Philippe, ably assisted by Tine

The opening to the Headstone Tunnel near Little Longstone. Sadly the 'puddle' was too deep for us to cross.

Here's the reason why: rainwater dripping over the rocks

Great Longstone station, the old platforms still to be seen

We saw dramatic skies...

...and a friendly robin red-breast, chirruping away.

Phil drove us onto Monsal Head with its view over the Wye valley...

...and more dramatic skies...

...including a 'murder' of crows (and yes, it's the correct term)!

In the evening we enjoyed a wonderful tapas meal with Phil's friends, but first of all: cheers!

Canal walk

As you might know I still don’t have full mobility with my left knee, and Yorkshire is not the best of places for walking with all its hills! Solution: drive down to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and head along the towpath.

Starting at Saltaire on a beautiful day (of which there haven’t been many)!

Looking along the towpath between the two main buildings

There were plenty of narrowboats to be seen, the one on the right named after my father-in-law

Not exactly a narrowboat but this one had an amusing shape

I was very pleased to spot the brewery for one of my favourite ‘newer’ beers, Saltaire Blonde…

…plus a family of snoozing swans.

Oh look, they’ve woken up!

The funnily named Gallows Bridge…

…alongside where the old Bradford Canal used to branch off.

Back to Saltaire. Can you spot the slug?

Goodbye old friends and back to Saltaire

Firstly our old watering hole in Bingley, the Brown Cow

Beautifully located just by the River Aire

It now has a great outdoor eating/drinking area…

…but we were more than happy to be indoors on this dull day.

Drinks at the caravan this time…

…and the beautiful bouquet of flowers Edith & John left (the flowers still going strong three weeks later)!

Further downstream on the River aire there’s Saltaire with its weir (yes, I know you’ve seen it before)…

…and the other side of the footbridge, Roberts Park and its cricket ground.

Of course we had to visit Salts Mill again…

…and appreciate some of David Hockney’s work.

There’s even a view of our caravan park up on the hillside.

A long-distance view of the old mill complex taken a few days later

 

Cliffe Castle

The rain encouraged us to find an indoor destination and Cliffe Castle in Keighley fitted the bill perfectly.

Cliffe Hall was its original name, bought by local wool merchant Henry Butterfield…

…and transformed into a grand residence.

Tine ventured up the impressive stairs, photographing Edith, John & your faithful blogger enjoying a rest!

Meanwhile I snapped the photographer

Nowadays the castle houses the Keighley Museum and its large collection of stuffed animals and birds if taxidermy is your thing (not mine so no photos)!

The Great Northern Railway Trail (2)

We had golden oldie friends Edith & John stopping nearby and we decided to continue our exploration of the Trail.

This time we started at the now non-existent Thornton Station

Straightaway we came across yet another viaduct…

…the impressive construction dwarfing Tine.

The rain came down more so we made our escape to a conveniently positioned café, the Junction Lodge…

…your faithful blogger with Edith & John eating bacon sandwiches in one of the sheltered pods.

A week later Tine & I decided to continue our exploration.

This time we made it to just before the steep climb to Queensbury…

…and at the Halifax Junction we forked right and before long we came across some fascinating structures…

…sadly marking known casualties of excavating the Queensbury Tunnel.

Here’s the north entrance in all its glory…

…now completely secured, My ex-students at Queensbury School used to talk about exploring here!

Tine peered through the barrier…

…is that a spook in the distance? Well, it was nearly Halloween!

Those interested could zoom on this to find out more.