Tackler’s Trail, Part of Witton Weaver’s Way, Darwen

Stone wall with lichen and barbed wire fence

Inspired by Becky’s WalkingSquares, I’m inviting you to take in the view along Witton Weaver’s Way, a 32 mile circular walk that crosses Darwen moor.

Witton Weaver’s Way has four sections: Beamer’s, Reeler’s, Tackler’s and Warper’s Trails, all named for jobs in the cotton industry. My first two pictures are taken from Tackler’s Trail, not far from Lord’s Hall.
Continue reading “Tackler’s Trail, Part of Witton Weaver’s Way, Darwen”

Dry Stone Wall At Christmas

Red Christmas baubles hung on a dry stone wall

Wishing a very merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates it, and a happy day to everyone else.

It’s clear and frosty here, as if nature has silvered every surface in celebration. Other parts of the UK woke up to find the outdoors gift-wrapped in an artistic smattering of snow.

This year is different. It is hard to feel unmixed joy, but perhaps all joy has a poignant character we usually don’t notice. Continue reading “Dry Stone Wall At Christmas”

Stone In The Northern English Landscape

Bronte bridge
Brontë bridge as it is now

Today’s post is a celebration of stone. I’ve grown up seeing it used for buildings, country walls, and paths and miss it when I spend time in places where it is not so readily available. Stone is ancient and helpful: it softens, steadies, anchors.

My first stone bridge has pedigree. It’s one that the Brontë family used to cross the river across from the waterfall on the path that leads over the moor from Haworth to Top Withens. Actually the original bridge was swept away in a flood and this is a replacement, made to a similar design.  Continue reading “Stone In The Northern English Landscape”