A BBC Winter Walk

 BBC TV are repeating just now a lovely series of programmes, filmed a couple of years ago called Winter Walks.  Well-known, worthy and interesting people undertake short (5 miles or so) walks, alone apart from a 360 degrees camera on top of a pole and a film crew.  Many of the walks are in the Yorkshire Dales and the day lengths are at their shortest.

We have followed the series and last evening the walker was Alastair Campbell - one time government front man and enforcer.  He used to be a national figure of hate for some - maybe even most.  His walk was in Ribblesdale - right through Settle as it happened because snow and mist on the tops had caused him to deviate to gentler conditions in the valley bottom.  We met a much more reflective Alastair Campbell, alone with his thoughts, Bronte poetry and Yorkshire at its best.  Inspired by the scenery and the loneliness he opens up about his struggles with depression.  You can see see it on BBC iPlayer - just enter Winter Walks.  

To our surprise and delight our water tower featured twice, firstly in an introductory drone shot of Settle and as the film moved onward from Settle to Langcliffe a more detailed view, with the tower centre stage (second picture) -

Christmas is Coming

 Busy day today:

1.  With mixed feelings we have sold the Shogun.  In truth we hardly ever used it and it is a 20 year old gas-guzzling 3.5 litre, non Ulez compliant monster car and one-too many cars for our needs.  Sad to see it go but the space it occupied is freed up.  

2.  Today was Settle's Christmas lights switch-on.  Centred on the Market Place,  Settle does this exceptionally well.  At 5pm there is a stunning fireworks display from the top of Castlebergh to coincide with the switch-on.  There was doubt this year about the cost of the fireworks, previously funded by the town council.   Into the breach stepped Tarmac Ltd of nearby Dry Rigg and Arcow quarries.  The display was better than ever and we were joined on the top of the tower by David and Evgenia, our Ukrainian guests.  We warned them about the loud bangs and were worried they might remind them of dreadful happenings from which they had fled.   No such problems - they thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle against a gin-clear moonlit sky.

3.  Our old downstairs lounge fireplace at The Folly is looking festive again:

How Things Were on the S&C 100+ Years Ago

 This wonderful photograph popped up on Facebook today.  A southbound Midland Scotch express is posed for a photograph before departure from Carlisle Citadel station. The date is believed to be in April, 1910.

Pilot engine, MR Kirtley 2-4-0 No. 181 dating from 1876 leads an unidentified Deeley 4-4-0.

Photo-credit: F. Tassell-Oliver Carter collection

 

The Midland Railway had a small engines policy, even for their Glasgow-London expresses like this one.  It is well worth clicking on the picture to study the details.

Before and After - Dramatic Reminder

 Just finished writing an article for Steam Railway magazine about the Water Tower - part of an occasional series about re-using former railway buildings and structures.  You must wait until it is published to read it of course.  Whilst digging back for some 'before' pictures I rediscovered this dismal one and for comparison an equivalent view now:

The far window is boarded up and ivy is finding its way in.  Altogether a challenge.  What a difference from now:

The second picture covers just the upper portion of the first, with the insertion of the floor which intersects the windows but it is recognisably the same place.

Autumn on the Roof

 We've been putting a great deal of effort into the topmost part of the tower recently.  The roof room itself is becoming cosier with previously undetected underfloor air gaps being sealed.

A carefully placed fan heater below the indoor viewing platform seats has enabled a year-round opportunity to observe the seasons from on high and in comfort.  Here is early autumn yesterday* morning.  Coffee and the Telegraph cryptic Thursday* crossword**.  What's not to like?

* Just realised Thursday wasn't yesterday.  Today is Saturday and I don't mind.  Great thing about retirement is you don't have to worry about such things as what day of the week it is.  You don't have to go to work and, better still, you don't have to go to school either.

** the Thursday crossword is unique.  Absolutely un-do-able on first acquaintance but once you've cottoned on it is an enjoyable challenge.  Brain food.

Just for fun, this was the same scene at twilight a few days later.  Note how there is blue sky up above but Settle below is in darkness: