Church Houses

Notwithstanding the Spring daffodil spectacular (see yesterday), the three mile circular route through Farndale between the hamlets of Low Mills and Church Houses (in my photo) would be a pleasant walk in any season.

The North York Moors National Park is a good two hour drive away from Saltaire on the way to the east coast, so it's not an area I have visited all that often and there is lots to explore. Maybe I'll have chance to get to know it a bit better now I have more free time. It is a high plateau of heather moorland, cut through by deep dales (valleys), carved by glacial meltwater and the various rivers that drain the moorland. The dales, all with different characters, contain woodlands, meadows and scattered small villages or hamlets.

Farndale, the valley of the River Dove, runs north to south in the southern limestone belt. Its nutrient-rich alkaline soils support ancient woodlands of sessile oak and fertile grasslands, harbouring a wide variety of wildflowers, insects, birds and other wildlife.

Hosts of daffodils

The freedom of retirement is giving me so many wonderful opportunities to tick things off my bucket list. I finally achieved my ambition to visit Farndale in the Spring as, along with a couple of friends who harboured a similar wish, we drove over there to see the famous daffodils. They are our native wild daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus), a petite and delicate flower that grows naturally on river banks and in damp meadows and woodland. No-one really knows why this obscure little dale, nestled in the heart of the North York Moors National Park, should hold such a spectacular carpet of daffodils. It's often said they were originally planted by medieval monks from nearby Rievaulx Abbey but no-one knows for sure. They have multiplied over the centuries, surviving threats from illegal picking, and now there are thousands of blooms along the banks of the River Dove. It's a breathtaking sight that is enjoyed by thousands of visitors every Spring.

Blackthorn

The first blossom to appear in early spring is generally the frothy white flowers of the blackthorn tree (Prunus spinosa), such a welcome and uplifting sight against a blue sky. This was the final leg of my Newmillerdam walk, from the attractive village of Chapelthorpe back across a field to Newmillerdam. I liked seeing the ancient stone gateposts.

The crops in the fields are starting to put up bright green shoots and the hawthorn hedges are showing new leaves. It was all a bit boggy though! Another walk that necessitated muddy trousers being slung in the wash and a boot cleaning session on my return home, sigh...

Perfect peace

By the time I reached the far end of Newmillerdam lake, there were few people about and it was a scene of real peace in the sunshine. I crossed a little bridge and walkway across the lake and plunged into Bushcliff Wood, emerging to cross a road and then meander through the Seckar Wood nature reserve.

Seckar Wood is an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) with a mixture of woodland, wet heath and dry heathland. Home to some rare plants, it was originally part of the Wentworth estate until the 1920s when it was bought by a local photographer, Warner Gothard Jnr. He managed a business that was known for producing postcards featuring montages of local and national events - anything from Royal visits to local accidents and disasters. (See here. Fascinating - and now highly collectible!)  He planned to build a house on the land but that never happened, although there is a walled pond that was at one time used as a swimming pool. Now the area is managed as a nature reserve by Wakefield Council's Countryside Service.

Newmillerdam Boathouse

This rather fancy structure, on Newmillerdam lake, was built in the 1820s by the Pilkington family, who owned the surrounding Chevet estate. It was used as a hunting lodge. It is Grade II listed and has since been restored as a visitor centre and meeting rooms (though not open when I went past). It looks kind of flooded but I think that's how it's meant to be.

Newmillerdam walk

I'm still revelling in the delight of being able to hop out of bed of a morning and go off on an expedition, on those days when suddenly the weather perks up and the sun shines. No more bemoaning the fact that I'm stuck in an office! On one such beautiful early spring day, I decided to drive south beyond Wakefield to Newmillerdam, about 25 miles away, which has been on my list to visit for a while. It's a small country park with a large lake (mill dam) and provides a lovely circular walk of about 5 miles, also taking in an interesting area of woodland and heath known as Seckar Wood.

The main road now crosses the dam, as you can see in the photo below. The building on the left with the pitched roof is, I believe, the old water-powered corn mill, dating back to the 1820s, though a corn mill has stood here since the 13th century. The mill was in use until 1960 and then became a restaurant. It is now a beauty salon and spa.

The village by the dam is an interesting hotch-potch of old buildings, interspersed with newer builds, climbing up a hillside. It provides useful amenities for the many visitors to the park - pubs, tearooms and an ice cream van. On such a sunny day, it was rather busy, with people taking advantage of one of the first days this year when it was feasible to sit outside with a drink.

Once inside the country park, the broad path skirts the lake and tranquillity is soon found. A few dog walkers, joggers and families out for a stroll, the occasional fisherman, lots of ducks, swans and other water birds but a general air of peace. Lovely.

Hidden secrets

I recently took a couple of friends to visit nearby Rodley Nature Reserve. Neither of them had been before and they were as charmed as I had been when I first stumbled across it. It's a bit of a hidden secret, tucked away beyond the canal on the outskirts of Leeds, in an area that at first sight would appear to be very built-up, with residential developments and light industrial units all around. Last time I went (see here) it was recovering from the severe flooding of the 2015-16 winter, and I am pleased to say that it has got back on its feet very well; much work has been done by their wonderful volunteers to rebuild fences and generally tidy up.

'Hidden secrets' might describe the wildlife too. At first, on entering a hide, you can easily think there is nothing to see at all. But sit quietly for a while and all sorts of things reveal themselves. We were watching housemartins, very newly arrived from Africa, starting to build their nests. Many of the over-wintering ducks have moved on but we did see some gadwall and teal among the mallards, a grey heron, some cormorants, swans, coots, moorhens, great crested grebes and lots of Canada geese. We watched a little grebe catch and eat a fish (below). Their common name - dabchick - quite well expresses the way they dart about and dive, really cute little birds.

In the area where they put out seed for garden birds, we saw a beautiful bullfinch, various tits, robins, wrens, chaffinches - and a cheeky reed bunting helping himself to the seed. Not a bird I'd have expected to see on a bird table! We just missed seeing a little owl too. Apologies for the quality of the bird photos; I'd need a bigger, faster lens if I was to make a habit of such photography. I used to really enjoy birdwatching when I was younger so maybe I'll get back into it as a hobby now I've got more time.

Playtime

These are the first Spring lambs I've seen. It was amusing to watch them playing. This group of six, clearly 'playmates' rather than all siblings, were running up and down the hill, playing chase. It was just like watching children in a playground! They'd stand still for a few minutes and then one would dart off and the rest would follow. When they'd run a little way from the mother sheep, they'd turn round and career all the way back down again. Really sweet.

The twins below were more interested in chasing their mum for milk, though she seemed a little weary of being suckled every few seconds.

Spring pink

My Spring always requires at least one picture of a camellia. This one is not quite perfect; a few cold nights have caused a tiny bit of shrivelling on the petals. I love them though. Just a pity they bloom quite so early in this country and so run the risk of getting spoiled by our unpredictable weather.

That view - with daffodils!

I take this shot - or one very much like it - every year at this time! A blue Spring sky is such a joy and a perfect companion to the yellow daffodils in Roberts Park, whilst the iconic view of Salts New Mill across the weir is a scene I never tire of.

No dumping

Wouldn't it be lovely if we lived in a society where everyone was kind, thoughtful and respected each other and our marvellous planet? Sadly, we seem ever further from that utopia. I was dismayed to see, on a recent local walk, the mess left by people dumping rubbish despite the large sign clearly prohibiting this. (Not even sure why a sign is needed... surely it's basic common sense not to dump rubbish by the side of the road or on someone's land.) Paint tins, plastic piping, plastic wrap, garden rubbish, wood panelling, boxes...  There is a Council tip and recycling plant not two miles away, free to residents but I guess trades people have to pay to use it.    

I despair...

Hallmark building (for Dave)

It's always a pleasure to get messages from readers who enjoy my blog. Not long ago I had a lovely email from Dave in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. He said that, for three years, he'd lived in the UK in nearby Harrogate and worked in Bradford, at Hallmark Cards. It made me think that, although the building is only a couple of miles from here and I know it well, I'd never photographed it or shown it on my blog. When I found out it is for sale, I thought I'd better hurry up!

'Hallmark House' (formerly Sharps Card Factory) is a wonderful Art Deco building, built in 1936, originally for W N Sharpe printers. Hallmark, the greetings card company, took it over in 1984 as its UK headquarters and refurbished the main Grade II listed building in 2001. Now, they are consolidating their business onto one site at the far side of Bradford, meaning the building is up for sale - with a £7 million price tag!

I only hope it is sold quickly and not allowed to deteriorate. It would be lovely turned into luxury apartments. It has huge windows and attractive detailing. The large site as a whole is level and attractively placed, in a prime semi-rural position on top of a hill on the boundary between Bradford and Shipley. If I had £7 million, I'd snap it up!

I did my best with the photos but it has more security than a prison, with close-meshed fences, huge electric gates, high hedges and trees all round. I tried chatting up the security guard, who was very nice but he wouldn't let me past the barriers!

Sticker fun

I haven't shown you a photo of this little one lately (my eldest granddaughter). Actually, she is not so little now. She's five and recently started (proper) school, which seems to have brought a multitude of both benefits and drawbacks. The benefits show in increased confidence and sociability but one drawback is that she seems to catch a lot more illnesses now, all the bugs that are going round! Since her mum now has a job, we grandparents find ourselves helping out on occasion. She recently had a nasty flu-type virus. Luckily the feverish worst came over a weekend but she was not able to go to school the following week so I went over to care for her. After a couple of days at their house and when she was on the way to recovery, I decided to bring her over to mine for a change of scene. We went to a craft shop and bought lots of stickers and she spent a happy time making pictures with them. 

The shop had an Easter chicken display, which provided a colourful frame for that cute little face! She's no longer all that keen to have her photo taken but a quick snap on the iPhone is sometimes tolerated. 

Cherry blossom

Some cherry blossom, such a cheering sight and herald of warmer days to come. It's welcome, even though we've had a mild winter by most standards.

Mughal Gardens artwork

You may remember back in February (here) I mentioned an artwork in Bradford city centre by the acclaimed Pakistani artist, Imran Qureshi. When I was in Lister Park, I walked round to the Mughal Gardens to see its companion piece. The two-part work is called 'Garden within a Garden'. It commemorates the million-strong British Indian Army that fought in the First World War. 'Light and dark mix, horror and hope collide' in the tranquil setting of a peaceful and serene garden (in itself inspired by the heritage of the many Bradfordians who can trace their lineage back to the Indian subcontinent).

Samuel Lister

Samuel Cunliffe Lister (1815-1906), after whom Lister Park is named, was a Victorian inventor and industrialist. He is notable for inventing the Lister nip comb, which revolutionised the wool industry by mechanising a previously difficult job. His father, Ellis, was a wealthy MP who built Manningham Mills in Bradford for his sons to manage. After a fire caused a rebuild, it became the massive Lister's Mill (see here). Samuel went on to have a glorious career, inventing silk combing machines and a velvet loom, which made him very wealthy. He was made a peer, 1st Baron Masham, in 1891. His statue, sculpted from white Sicilian marble by Matthew Noble, was unveiled in 1875 and stands at the entrance to the park he donated to the people of Bradford.

More angles

These are some more of the images I took around the theme of 'angles' that didn't quite make the grade. Nevertheless, it is fun spotting potential subjects and a useful exercise in paying attention.

February theme

The February theme for my online photo group was 'Angles' so I spent a few days out and about looking for photos on that subject. It would have been easy enough to go to Leeds. There are angles aplenty in the modern office blocks and hotels of a big city. Instead I decided to stay closer to home as that seemed more of a challenge. It's often quite fun having a theme. I find I notice things that otherwise perhaps I wouldn't see.

I would not normally be found photographing the closed-up market stalls in Shipley, but I found 'angles' there. At first I was getting slightly irritated that cars kept passing the archway at the end and people kept walking through unexpectedly. However, I finally decided that I liked this shot best, out of all those I took here. The passer-by provides a point of interest and movement, a softer foil for all those hard lines.

Early blossom

We had a run of rainy nights and dry, sunny, remarkably warm days. It was perfect for walks, although everywhere is incredibly muddy so I've tried to keep to pavements and paths, by and large. I get fed up of sliding around - and cleaning my boots! Now it's turned a bit more wintery again. Such an unpredictable season...

Walking home past St. Peter's Church (the church where I worship, as it happens) I noticed this tree full of early blossom and thought it looked attractive in the sunshine.

And finally ...

Bradford Walking Tour 8
Another couple of photos from the Bradford Walking Tour, quirky things that took my fancy.  The first is a metal railing above an archway that was apparently the entrance to a Quaker school, though I can find little information about it.

The second is an old carved fragment that now sits on a wall in the open space at the heart of Little Germany. Called Festival Square, the open area was created around 1990 as part of an ambitious scheme to regenerate the conservation area. They sought to bring in creative industries and community arts ventures as well as converting many of the historic buildings into apartments. Fifteen years on, it is apparent from the general atmosphere of the area that this vision has had limited success. I suppose some buildings had to be demolished to make the square, so perhaps the cherub came from one of those.