COW, SHEEP AND SHED

A couple of pastoral scenes to start with, then back to the tin shed. Still not really happy will try at dawn and a dramatic sky, sure there's a good, probably stunning, image here somewhere.

Not there yet, but getting better, I hope.

Dogs hair cut tomorrow so you'll no doubt have to tolerate a feast of canine images. Ever original I'll do before and afters, can't do durings as the little devil plays up if I'm about. Sits good as gold on her own with nere a sound. Lovely morning here so off out somewhere, keep happy.

WRIGGLY TIN AND WAGTAIL

Running out of sync this morning, so a quick post. Much as you like misty photographs I'm getting a little sick of it. Will try and get out this evening as I've found an old barn which I suspect is a photogenic subject. This morning it just looks like a rusty shed.

WRIGGLY TIN SHED

Wriggly tin, a colloquialism for corrugated iron sheeting, a once common building material though still available, no longer in common use.

JUVENILE PIED WAGTAIL

Cute little chap, we have several of these this year. Previously the Grey Wagtail was predominant. Why it's called a Grey Wagtail I'm not sure as the noticeable colour is yellow.

MIDDEN

Not a particularly edifying subject but I like the reflection.

Got to take Molly for a good haircut, assuming I can find the dog groomer, always a problem.

TIDZA CARNIVAL

SUMMER

We were hoping for a day like this, dawn arrived with heavy thunder storms, these soon departed leaving a dull overcast and very humid day. However spirits weren't as damp as the weather and the procession was very entertaining. Never tried to shoot people before so you will have to put up with what I got, a nerve wracking experience for me, much harder than I imagined.

DAWN CARNIVAL MORNING

The following are a few pictures of the citizenry at their best, or worst maybe.

Hope I captured some of the fun.

BRIDGES

Today is a big day in Tideswell's calendar, the culmination of Wakes week. The roads will be shut and a carnival procession will take the place of the lorries laden with stone that usually trundle through our High Street. Hopefully it will remain dry but the forecast is not promising. I'm glad at times like this I'm fortunate enough to use Olympus, at least all I have to worry about are rain spots on the lens and noise.

TIDESWELL

The pictures today depict a selection of local bridges and a Dam wall or two, hope one or maybe two appeal.

FOOT BRIDGE AND WEIR (WATER-CUM-JOLLY)

DROVERS BRIDGE (BURBAGE BROOK)

DERWENT DAM

MILLERS DALE VIADUCT

HOWDEN DAM

Will do my best to depict the carnival procession for you tomorrow, I'll apologise in advance should images be posted upside down, or show pavement details. Life has a habit of getting a little out of hand at this time of the year!

PICTURES AND POSTING

Just posting a few photographs today, had a busy week with the camera, how productive it has been in terms of quality is for you to decide.

I've been sharing pictures over the Internet for a couple of months both on this blog and also on Flickr. At first I was very self conscious, it worried me if no comment was forthcoming and also if the comment was adverse. Rarely the latter I might add and for two reasons. Firstly the majority of those participating on Flickr have a strong sycophantic streak or it could be basic optimistic self interest, if I'm nice to them they'll be nice to me. Secondly, any criticisms reflecting anything other than gushing whole hearted approval are quickly deleted. I decided early on that my photostream would only reflect the positive side of life.

TURBULENT CLOUDS OVER ASHFORD IN THE WATER

ALL SAINTS CHURCH BAKEWELL

ABSTRACT

BEE ON FLOUR

Hope you enjoyed at least one, all the best.

BEFORE I WAS BORN

KNOT LOW (Millers Dale)

The rounded hill in the centre of this picture is known as a Toad Stone, there are several of them three within a five mile radius of this one. They are volcanic and are Basalt, same stuff as Fingles Cave and the Giants Causeway. Some three or four hundred million years ago Derbyshire lay just south of the equator and was a shallow tropical lagoon. As the creatures died and settled to the bottom of the lagoon they formed the carboniferous limestone from which this area gets it's name. It is almost beyond comprehension that tiny crinoids, a sort of jet propelled worm have built up deposits which are over a thousand feet thick.

During this period volcanic activity from a large vent in the lagoon deposited these Toad Stones, and the hydro thermal activity deposited the Galena, lead sulphide, which has been mined in the area since Roman times.

MAGPIE MINE (remains of a Derbyshire lead mine)

HAY MAKING (Knot Low is far left)

Included this photograph as it's rare to see grass mown for hay anymore, mostly bagged as silage or hayledge.

FROGATT EDGE

This is Gritstone, a sedimentary rock which was deposited over the limestone, the lagoon had by this time become the Derbyshire equivalent of the Amazon delta.

MAM TOR

Yet another example of deposited stone in this case shale and site of a large land slip some twenty or thirty years ago. The main road from the Hope Valley to Manchester used to traverse this hill. it no longer exists.

Very humbling to think all this went on within five miles of my front door. to be precise my only door, I don't have a back door. All the best.

LIME KILNS AND FLOWERS

LIME KILNS MILLERS DALE QUARRY

A very difficult thing to photograph, but passing this morning the sun just catching it made me think it worth another go. The tunnels were used for lighting the thing, clearing obstructions, and emptying after it had burned out. The product was quick lime, very corrosive, it was mainly used for reducing the acidity of the soil as although this area is limestone prior to cultivation it was covered with peat and heather which made the soil acidic. I dread to think of the state of the quarrymen after working in here.

TOOT HOLES AND EYE

Behind this wall there is a fire brick lined vertical kiln about 15m/20m tall. A pile of kindling was tipped in, then alternate layers of limestone and coal, until it was full. It was then left to burn out, presumably they kept adding coal and limestone whilst the burn was progressing.

Should have given this a wipe, sorry.

MILLERS DALE LIME WORKS

VIEW UP CHEE DALE FROM THE TOP OF THE KILNS

The grey streak centre horizon is the modern equivalent, smoke from the kiln at Tunstead, this being a modern rotary cement kiln.

A PLETHORA OF WILD FLOWERS THAT HAVE COLONISED THE PLATFORMS AT MILLERS DALE STATION

MANIPULATE AN EXPOSURE------(NOT I!)

Lovely day here and the grass is mown, thank me.

WELL, WELL, WELL.

All wells today, loads of pictures from the three Tideswell wells. For some history and background have a look HERE.

For those that missed yesterday, I'll start with a picture of the main well and work down through the children's well and finish with the scout well.

TIDESWELL MAIN WELL

HEAD BOARD

DETAILS

CHILDREN'S WELL

DETAILS

SCOUT WELL

Finally our newly restored church clock which tells me I'm five minutes late for my paper and the crossword. Hope you enjoy.