April 8th – The first big hayride of the year – out to Staffordshire, Weaver Hills and the Manifold, then around the Moors and Roaches and returning from Congleton on the train.
More photos on my main blog later today – a cracking ride; I was fluid, had energy to spare and it was a fast, warm ride on a day more usually expected in May than April.
Nice to be back in the saddle for long rides again!
May 23rd – Here’s an odd one. Half way up the hill, on the steep, long climb out of the manifold valley to Throwley, there’s a sheep trough on Farewell Lane. It’s a good kilometre in either direction to the nearest dwelling, and this is remote, wind-blown country.
I stopped to lean my bike up against the trough while I got something to eat and admire the view. In it’s depths, I noticed something orange: a 6 inch long, healthy looking goldfish.
People have suggested it is put there by farmers to eat the eggs of some animal parasite – but I have no idea. It’s a very odd place to dump a fish, but I suppose it’s egg could have been transported from another pond on the feet of some bird.
A real oddity. Suggestions welcome.
August 22nd – near the top of Mere Hill overlooking the Manifold Valley near Calton in the Peak District stands this old, redundant stone gatepost. Initially, its survival long after the field boundary it marked was removed is puzzling, until one notices the Ordnance Survey surveyor’s benchmark carved into it. This is the usual explanation for any such stone posts, and the majority are no longer used, but it does make a fine cattle scratching-post.
April 22nd – The long Good Friday.
Another big panorama image, about a mile further into the Manifold Valley. The road descends nerve-wrackingly to a 90 degree righthand bend through a farmyard, otherwise known as Throwley. Nearby, the ruins of Throwley Hall are preserved. Few really seem to come here, and it’s why I love the area so much – there’s unexpected delight in every turn.
Further down the valley, people throng at Dovedale and Milldale, yet seldom stray up the hill. Their loss.
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