Dunstanburgh Castle

Here I am, resplendent in the sunshine, on a recent sojourn oop t'north!

And yea, verily, it is true, I WOULD climb a mountain for a canny bag o' Tudor!

(see the advert to which i refer)

Deanhead Reservoir

Just above Scammonden Dam there's a lesser known water called Deanhead Reservoir. This small header water feeds into Scammonden, just across a couple of fields. I like it out here, it's peaceful and you get great views back across the M62 and beyond.

Oakwell Hall

Built in 1583 this hall near Birstall in West Yorkshire is very grand. Set amongst some lovely gardens and countryside there were plenty of ducks to scare. Worth a trip out to see, but watch out for the ghost of William Batt!!!

Back to school

Sometimes, even a brass pig has to admit that he/she doesn't know everything! I recently attended an adult education course in the art of digital photography. Suffice to say, my self portraitures garnered high acclaim from all those involved. Why wouldn't they?

Nettleton Hill

I consider this to be one of Huddersfield's finest viewpoints, and just across Scapegoat Hill is another of them - Perhaps I'll bring you this one soon? Just under my snout is Longwood Edge, the home of the Dusty Miller public house (we don't go there very often, but it's a bit of a landmark). Lovely frost on lovely millstone grit drystone wall.

North Dean Wood

A field full of cows and a disused quarry lying just outside the confines of North Dean Wood above the village of Copley in the Calder Valley. Lovely lumps of millstone grit and some VERY muddy fields which lead toward Norland Moor.

Turgate Delph

Here I stand on Norland Moor. A rocky outcrop called Turgate Delph which overlooks Butterworth End Lane (near the Moorcock Inn). I am guessing that the buildings you can see on the right are the village of Sowerby, which comes as news to me that it's not the same place as Sowerby Bridge!!

Buckstones

Standing at Buckstones (the intersection of the A640 and B6114) with Pule Hill and March Haigh Reservoir behind me. Oddly enough, for the first time that I can remember, there is a distinct lack of water in March Haigh Reservoir. If anyone knows why this is then let me know!! This shot has the added advantage of showing a gorgeous lump of millstone grit. Slurp!!

Upper Greetland

Not sure if these woods have an actual name or not, but I can't find it if they do. All I can tell you is that these trees are right next to Crawstone Hall and I was spotted near the footbridge over the stream. There's something satisfying about walking amongst the leaf litter.

Blakeley Reservoir

The poorer cousin of three reservoirs. Most people know about Butterley and Wessenden, above the picturesque village of Marsden on the very edge of the Peak District. I enjoyed sniffing around these parts, and the waterfalls and streams that come down from the hills above.

Pighill Wood

With a name like Pighill Wood, how can this NOT be one of my most favouritist places on this whole oinking planet? Well it is!! A brief fungal foray into the woodlands near Scapegoat Hill on a blustery Friday afternoon left me feeling windswept and invigorated.

Beaumont Park

Huddersfield's first public park. Behind me (if the bokkeh wasn't so severe) you should be able to make out Castle Hill, the famous Huddersfield landmark. As it is, you can just make out the characteristic shape of the hill on which it stands, directly under the branches that hang down from the left.

Black Point

On the toll road at Black Point in Anglesey. In the background you can just see Puffin Island (on the right) and the lighthouse behind me. A lovely part of the world, and a great place to go rockpooling.

Snowdon Summit

My little legs were plum tuckered after the walk up the Pyg Track to the summit of Snowdon - Apparently you are not allowed to call it Mount Snowdon!!! I prefer to call it Yr Wyddfa!! It wasn't much easier walking back down to be honest!!

Bolton Abbey

There are a surprising number of "farmed" animals roaming about freely in the vicinity of Bolton Abbey. I struggled with the stepping stones, but enjoyed a fine cream tea.

Timble Ings Woods

A positively sunny clearing in Timble Ings Woods besides Gill Beck. I'd spent the best part of the day snuffling for truffles, but a pig's gotta cool off sooner or later, so it was down to the beck for some lunch and a roll in the mud - Pigs do suffer from sunburn, so I had to be careful!

Holme Woods

Took a trot around four reservoirs. Yateholme, Ramsden, Riding Wood and Brownhill. I like a stream crossing because there's usually some mud to roll in.