Sunday, 27 December 2015

Week 86 23/12/2015 - Winter Sunshine and Shadows

Photo Blog Week 86 - Wed 23 December 2015

Hi readers, I wish you a (belated) Happy Christmas and everything you wish yourself for 2016.

Not an 'official' patrol but Mrs Delta-Ged and I nipped in 2 days before Christmas for a walk. Unusually, this route starts from the Knott Car Park rather than the House and wee had lunch sitting on the side of the Knott looking out over Manchester. It seems odd to choose to look at the city and urban sprawl when there is so much beautiful countryside around but it is a novel perspective on where we lead our lives and so many land marks to spot and discuss; it has a beauty all of it's own as so many lives lay their trail in the landscape.

I somehow managed to switch my phone off just after we set off so the track and distances are remembered rather than recorded. This is largely why the the post has been delayed, I uploaded the photo's Christmas Eve but then got too busy to finish the job.

route: The Knott Car Park; Westpark drive gate; up to Pursefield ridge; Paddock Cottage


Looking across The Knott to the city beyond

Unusual section of wall. The slope is steep and the bed rock near the surface and several steps have been built into the wall profile

gorgeous blue sky behind Lantern Wood and Park Moor

approaching Paddock Cottage silhouetted against cloud lit by a low winter sun

Cheshire plain from Paddock Cottage

Kite surfing

Paddock Cottage Door

route: Paddock Cottage, ridge path, Cluse Hey and Poynton Brook, Middle Moor Wall


looking down into Cluse Hey from the rock outcrop

The purple hue that appears in the new growth on silver birch through winter into spring

path through the birch above Poynton Brook along Cluse Hey bottom

Paddock Cottage high above us now

shadows creeping across the valley as the winter sun lowers

gorse beginning to blossom high up on the south facing bank

catkins; unfortunately, I hadn't noticed the camera focusing on the rear rather than centre ones

the bracken which only weeks ago stood tall and verdant is now limp and matted on the floor

Nature's Artwork: I liked the view through the hole
unfortunately, I got the focus wrong again :(  but still interesting so I've kept it in

blue to white and light shadow

This deep path up from the brook to Park Moor now totally in shadow

coming out of the darkness toward Middle Moor

Higher now; looking across Paddock ridge to Cheshire plain.
That bank of cloud is heralding a change of weather on it's way in.

zoomed in on Paddock Cottage

zoomed in on the city of Manchester. Beetham Tower (Hilton Hotel) left of centre.

route: pass over Middle Moor wall; Knightslow Wood


2pm shadows on Dec 23rd

long lens shot of the Moor Herd red deer

The House and The Cage

Nature's Artwork: A nugget of purest green.
Blackadder fans will understand

sun sinking through the beech trees of Knightslow Wood

route: Knightslow Wood, Drinkwater Meadow, Car Park; Timberyard


low sun lighting up the pines by Drinkwater Meadow

Sky changing over Drinkwater Meadow as the bank of cloud begins to pass across the sun

Mallards and Black Headed Gulls sharing the Mill Pond

route: Timberyard; Turtle Brew; track return to The Knott car park


nice reflections looking away from the darkening clouds

a hint of the House through the tree tops

Fungi fest'

 classic South Face shot with shadows creeping up as the sun begins to dip behind the trees

Today's Track and Profile




Track hand drawn from memory & time estimated as phone switched off just after star. 
All Approximate.

Total: 3.3 miles (5.34 km) 3hr 0min

duration includes stops for chats, inspections, photo's and snacks

This Time Last Year


 Have a look at This Time Last Year 

Week 48 10/12/2014 - Weather and Stags


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