A Fond Farewell to J300 RAJ

It's funny how a single picture can unlock a flood of memories. Recently, I stumbled upon a photo that took me right back to my final days at RAJ Transport, a company I was proud to work for for over 11 years. The star of the show in that picture? J300 RAJ, my trusty chariot.

The End of an Era

RAJ Transport closed its doors in November 2018, but unlike many transport companies, it wasn't due to financial woes. The reason was far simpler, and in its own way, heartwarming: Bob, the boss, decided it was time to enjoy a well-earned retirement. It was a testament to the company's success and Bob's leadership that he could make such a decision.

A Unique Sight on the Motorway

This particular photo was taken a few months before the company closed. Normally, the trailers we ran were unbranded, just a distinctive yellow stripe against a green curtain. But on this day, I had one of only a couple of sign-written trailers hitched to my unit as I headed down to Wolverhampton from Huddersfield. It only struck me as I pulled into Stafford services southbound. I grabbed my camera, snapped a shot of the truck and trailer, and then, until now, completely forgot about it.

After a little digital tidying up, removing some of the colour from the trees in the background, this is the result. It's a bittersweet image now, a distant memory of a company that was genuinely enjoyable to work for. I just wanted to share it, as it brought back so many good times.

Clicking the image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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The picture remains the copyright of Colin Green.

A Journey Through Brontë Country: Discovering Waterfalls and Wuthering Heights

Recently, while sifting through some old photos, I stumbled upon a collection I took in March 2014. These weren't just any pictures; they were from a memorable walk across the moors south of Haworth, a journey undertaken in search of the elusive Brontë Waterfall and the haunting ruins of Top Withens farmhouse. I've compiled a selection of these images into a short video, which you can now view below.

The Brontë Waterfall: A Hidden Gem

Our adventure began at the Brontë Waterfall, a modest yet captivating cascade nestled in the heart of Brontë Country. This area, renowned for its stunning natural beauty, holds deep connections to the legendary Brontë family. You'll find the falls are part of the picturesque South Dean Beck. Interestingly, the original bridge crossing the beck was swept away by flash flooding in 1989, only to be lovingly rebuilt the following year. A plaque now stands as a testament to its resilience.

Following the Trail to Top Withens

From the waterfall, we followed the Brontë Trail in a westerly direction, leading us deeper into the moorland expanse and eventually to the atmospheric ruins of Top Withens Farmhouse. It's truly difficult to fathom how anyone could have carved out a life in such a desolate and isolated spot, with only a couple of other farms for company – farms that were themselves abandoned in the 1870s and subsequently demolished.

Top Withens met a similar fate, abandoned around the same time. However, it experienced a brief revival in 1920 when a Mr. Ernest Roddie brought it back into use. Alas, its respite was short-lived, and by 1926, the farm was finally abandoned for good, left to slowly succumb to the elements and become the ruin we see today. This poignant shell of a home is widely believed to have been the inspiration for the iconic Earnshaw house in Emily Brontë's timeless novel, Wuthering Heights.

The pictures below are of the ruins at Top Withens. The full set can be seen in my earlier post on Top Withens. Clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

The full set of 12 pictures at Top Withens can be seen on Clickasnap or my earlier blog post.

Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and check out my work on Photo4Me and Clickasnap using the links below.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.