Not a good day today…. Kairen has a hangover!
What do I do? What do I say? Kairen never has hangovers !!!! – We must have had a good night…I think !
It’s a very grey day and raining…….
Rain on my window pane!
Comments rssThis is the bark of the Jarrah tree and is the leg of a table we had shipped back from Australia this year. The wood is very durable, even in wet and weathered situations, making it a choice structural material for bridges, wharves, railway sleepers, ship building and telegraph poles.
Felling of Jarrah trees is now forbidden and there is a large amount of reclaimation of the wood. Even in some cases where it has been in the sea supporting jettys for over 100 years.
Jarrah Bark
Comments rssA 38 mile cycle ride to bag this photo !
Clipstone Pit headstocks
There is something strangely iconic about the mining industry in Britain. The Period of decline which led to the strikes and civil unrest experienced during the 1980’s made mining the Industry that symbolized Britain’s industrial decline. The result was the mass closure of pits and works in the years that followed.
In 1922 the shafts were sunk at Clipstone colliery to exploit the top hard seam. In 1950’s the National Coal Board Conducted a series of modernisations deepening the shafts and creating the present day head stocks. Standing at 65 meters they were once the second tallest in the world when they were built. The mine operated until July 2003 when it was decided the remaining reserves were no longer economical.
The following year saw vandalism and demolition remove the offices and shower blocks. But under the protection of a conservation order the headstocks and winding house survived. A recent poll among local residents found in favor of demolition and it is now likely that these impressive structures will be demolished in favor of a business park.
I couldn’t make my mind up which photo to use today so the reserve is here too. I like the picture but it isn’t clear that it’s a mine headstock. Any views?
Clipstone Pit headstocks
Comments rssAnyone for tea?
This derelict caravan is all that is left of an education facility in nearby Whitwell Woods.
Anyone for tea ?
The building is now in a sad state. It was used to teach children about this ancient wood which has a great deal of Roman History. Two early encampment sites have been found, elsewhere Roman pottery shards dated from 2nd to 4th centuries A.D. and the medieval ridge and furrow ploughing has left earth banks to the west and south parts of the wood. One large earth bank, known locally as the Kingdom Bank, stretches from the eastern edge to the north escarpment and must have been much higher in the past. It was possibly part of the boundary between the Saxon Kingdom of Mercia and Northumberland.
During World War 1 the demand for timber nearly destroyed the wood. A saw mill and pit were erected near the entrance. Replanting started in the 1920’s
Derelict education facility
Comments rssIt’s that time of year and after a bit of rain and some sunshine the fungi appears everywhere in the woods.
Fungi
Comments rssThe heavy rain of the last few days has swollen the rivers and Aira Force Waterfall is full and spectacular.
Aira Force
I was torn between two pictures today, so here’s the other…..
Fungi
Comments rssWe have had the first hard frosts and the leaves are suddenly changing colour.
Wow!
Autumn colours
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