Holcombe Hill

Since moving I have been meaning to explore some more of the local countryside, today I got that chance. Myself and three survivors from my house-warming dinner made the short drive to Ramsbottom, our aim was to reach 'that tower' which we have seen so many times whilst driving past on the M66 on our way to Yorkshire.

The weather was typical for Ramsbottom - wet and windy - so photography wasn't really the main focus for the day. Half an hour after leaving the warmth of the car, we reached the tower. I didn't know this before we set off, but some well learned locals informed us that the tower was built as a memorial to Sir Robert Peel, who was born in Ramsbottom.

Sir Robert Peel was Prime Minister twice in the mid 1800s but he is more famous for inventing the police. He is the Robert (BoB) who gave Bobbies their name.

I think the Azkabanesque memorial tower is very fitting to a man who preferred to lock criminals up rather than hang them, it looks like a prison, the mother of all prisons perhaps.

Peel Tower, Holcombe Hill

Snow Day - Part 2

The Return to Captain's Clough.

Last night saw temperatures in The North West fall as low as -17c and it certainly felt it as I walked home from the pub. Today I had to return to the pub with a shovel to recover my car. On the way I passed through Captain's Clough again, this time it was bathed in glorious sunshine. the photographs can be seen below;

Captain's Clough, Doffcocker. Bolton.

A little like 'Narnia' perhaps?





Two versions exist of this - one with and one without The Sun,
I prefer the one with.





Landscape photography is not always about sweeping mountain vistas.





These branches were a little like arms reaching out
to catch and embrace the snowfall.






Lovely long winter shadows....





...make interesting patterns.



Alas, I had reached the car and the end of my little walk.
Winter Hill beckoned but I had too much
to do. I might venture up it on Saturday.

There seems no end in sight to the cold spell, the thermometer in my garden is currently reading -10c. I am glad we have central heating, double glazing and double loft insulation!

It's Cold Outside!

I have just walked back from the pub, it felt a little nippy out.

Here are the latest readings from Woodford weather station (our closest official weather station);

1700		-2.6 °C	NNE	3 mph		23 km	1010 hPa, Rising
1800		-3.3 °C	NE	3 mph		23 km	1011 hPa, Rising
1900		-4.3 °C	N	5 mph		21 km	1011 hPa, Rising
2000		-8.8 °C	ESE	1 mph		9 km	1012 hPa, Rising
2100		-12.3 °C	S	2 mph		1.2 km	1012 hPa, Rising
2200		-14.9 °C	WSW	1 mph		0.1 km	1013 hPa, Rising
2300		-12.2 °C	S	1 mph

Edited Today at 16:25 - It was reported on the local news today that the temperature eventually reached -17c, thankfully I was tucked up in bed!

Brrrrr!

Snow day

Today is Snow day.

It started snowing at 9pm last night and didn't stop until we had a white carpet, a one foot deep white carpet! It was obviously a no-work day so I went for a walk with my camera;

The view from the Patio Door - the Summer House is a Winter House!




I don't think the car will be moving anytime soon.

Not without a shovel at least (I have 'special' number-plate concealment paint)!





Round the back of our place is Captain's Clough, it is a woodland area through which passes The Doffcocker brook. This Heron didn't seem impressed with the scenery though.





Someone's been busy this morning



I continued my walk to Moss bank Park.





The miniature railway wasn't operating - probably leaves
on the line or something?




The buses were not running either.




An impressive chimney, so much for global warming?





This is Moss bank Way - usually a busy duel-carriageway.
Today the only form of transport using it is Shank's Pony.