signs of the times

Our Sunday hike was pretty amazing too.

And loving these old signposts dotted around S35 and the upper reaches of S6.  Always marvelling that we have such incredible places within our wonderful Sheffield city boundaries.

 and just in case you weren't sure, this was on the opposite side of the road!!

fabulous old gates as we passed Edge Mount, beyond Oughtibridge on the Onesacre Road

and a stunning view of Agden and Dale Dyke Reservoirs

Setting off on our walk from Broomhead Hall, in the parish of Bradfield, and, wow . . . some googling reveals that the old bridge in Glen Howe Park was originally dismantled and moved there from the Ewden valley, before it was flooded many years ago to create the Broomhead and More Hall reservoirs for Sheffield's water supplies. Read about it here.

We searched and searched for an enclosure marked on the OS map - but failed to spot the Ewden Beck stone circle which I think is what the 'enclosure' meant.  Also on the map you can see the long earthwork we were about to reach marked very clearly marked.

 miles and miles of stone walls standing sturdy in the middle of nowhere - incredible!

and finally our the jewel of our quest, the impressive and ancient earthworks spanning three quarters of a mile above the little brook

and we bravely transversed it's whole length - sometimes needing to dip down into the dry river bottom - spectacular and we had this whole moorland to ourselves!  For all the world it felt like we were hiking down a smaller Hadrian's Wall!  And I guess this was probably Bronze age like the other similar remains in the area and used for defensive purposes.
If you read this Sheffield History discussion thread but skip down to 'Jeremy''s comments on "IV. The Bar Dike and Other Earthworks at Bradfield" you will read some fascinating theories about this particular earthworks.

in my master's steps I trod - ha ha

base stones of the earthwork, at the level of the beck

the construction certainly went deep - way below the 'modern' dry stone wall on the top today.  I can't find anything more about this particular earthwork, although the nearby Bar Dyke, which we visited last year, is scheduled and listed.

and on a completely different note - right at the end we discovered this brutal trap but have absolutely no idea what 'they' were trying to capture?  Obviously some poor creature who innocently traversed the log bridge!

and so we came back to the start with views across to Ewden Height

Then, on our drive home, we noticed the Canyard Hills, curious little bumpy hillocks on the side of a cliff edge.  We assumed they were old mines - but interestingly they are a rare geological feature - see article above!

That will have to be our next exploration.  Loving these retirement options!!

Spring in our steps

Beautiful balmy Spring day up on Wharncliffe Crags this Saturday

with my erstwhile companions

 across the Trans-Pennine Trail

 and back through the woods

Then a final stroll around the tiny hamlet of Onesacre which was mentioned in the Dooomsday Book.  Its beautiful Hall was built around 1640.

Ahh Sheffield, your golden frame certainly did us proud today

Wild Wales

We arrived in Dolgellau on a dark and stormy night in the wake of Storm Doris but were soon toasty warm inside Tyddyn Mawr - right on the side of the mighty Cader Idris

Then the birthday morning dawned - still a little damp down in Dolgellau

 with birthday choruses received under an umbrella

but soon warmed up in the cosy T H Roberts cafe - crossword and Welsh Lobscouse!

However, not ones to linger when we can get wet and muddy - we were off on the Torrent Walk - having been advised it's best after heavy rain!!

and the torrents were spectacular - you have to imagine a deafening constant roar from the thundering waters below

Still undeterred, though soaked to the skin, we wanted to see the grade 1 listed Arts and Crafts Church of St Mark's at Brithdir - looking very sinister on the outside . . .

was nevertheless stunning and quite unique on the inside

Hot baths and change of clothes then a lovely birthday meal at the stunning Bwty Mawddach and the next morning we even got a glimpse beyond the mist of the bottom of Cader Idris, from our room.

Off we went to the mouth of the beautiful Mawddach estuary and up to the wilds of the Cregennan Lakes - hardly able to walk for the gusty winds and rain.

 with views to the mouth of the Mawddach estuary and the Irish Sea

And were thrilled to discover what must be the smallest railway station ever!!  Morfa Mawddach - where you can catch regular trains between Birmingham and Pwllheli and even the odd one direct to London

We'd also hoped to do were the Precipice Walk and the conquering of Cader Idris - but those feats will have to wait for more clement weather!!

Keep that 'welcome in the hillsides', Dolgellau . . . . we'll be back!