Memorial and Rain, Brearley

The following pictures were taken whilst walking the route 66 cycleway through Brearley, West Yorkshire. I'd set off to walk a loop from my home in Sowerby Bridge, down the valley from Sowerby through Boulderclough, and in to Mytholmroyd before returning along route 66 and the Rochdale Canal towpath.

Along the route, as you pass through Brearley, you pass the murder stone just north of the railway bridge. The stone is a memorial to William Deighton, a tax inspector who was killed in Halifax while investigating "King" David Hartley and his coiner gang. I have previously posted more on the memorial.

The path is part of the Route 66 cycleway (bridleway), with the railway bridge seen at the top of the picture and the green metal wall.

Underneath the skeletal artwork reads the following:A full and true account of a barborous, bloody, and inhuman murder. There is further artwork below this writing.

Carrying on my walk past the former chapel, now apartments, and through the centre of Brearley, the rain came, and trying to avoid soaking, I sheltered underneath Wheatley Royd Farm Bridge. This didn't work out as planned after nearly 30 minutes of waiting for my weather app to update to tell me it was going to be at least another hour, so I carried on with the walk and the soaking. The following two pictures were taken underneath the shelter of the bridge.

Clicking any image should open a link in another window to the higher-resolution, un-watermarked version on Clickasnap.

 

Thanks for looking; please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

 

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Top of Eastwood and Staups Lanes, Blackshaw Head.

 A small set of picture taken earlier today around the Eastwood Lane, Staups Lane area of Blackshaw Head, Hebden Bridge. I was here on a walk towards Staups Mill near the top of Jumble Hole Clough, having walked up Eastwood lane from the site of the former railway station that served the area until closure in December 1951, when I reached the top of Eastwood Lane at the junction with Staups Lane and Eastwood Road I was greeted by a Rock Formation as seen below.

Great Rock

Great Rock is a natural rock made from Kinderscout Grit, a form of Millstone Grit on the edge of Staups Moor. Their are many a local legend regards the rock but the one I know best is the one that gives the rock the name Devil's Rock. The Devil bet with God that he could step across the valley from Stoodley Pike to Great Rock, despite his failure to make the it, legend says you can see his hoof print upon the rock.

The following pictures were taken along Staups Lane before i took the path down to Jumble Hole Clough.

The last picture was taken at the top of Jumble Hole Clough before heading down to find Staups Mill, the purpose of my visit. The stream would have powered the mill and eventually flows in to the River Calder at the valley bottom.

The pictures were taken using a Nikon d3300 SLR on the 4th May 2022, they can also be seen on my Clickasnap account, click any image to view the un-watermarked, higher resolution version in another window.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green

Experience the Magic of Venice: A New Video Journey!

Get ready to be transported to the enchanting canals and historic piazzas of Italy's most unique city! I'm thrilled to announce my latest YouTube upload: "A Trip to Venice."

This captivating video, approximately 2.5 minutes long, is a curated collection of scenes I captured during my few days exploring Venice at the end of October and beginning of November 2018. From the moment you hit play, you'll glide along the iconic Grand Canal on a mesmerizing boat trip, witnessing the city's grandeur from its watery arteries.

The video also takes you through the bustling and magnificent St. Mark's area, showcasing its architectural wonders and vibrant atmosphere. Beyond the famous landmarks, you'll discover various other short, intimate clips highlighting Venice's charming smaller canals, intricate bridges, and the timeless beauty of its ancient buildings.

Venice, with its enchanting canals and historic architecture, holds an undeniable allure. But in October-November 2018, during my visit, the city offered a stark, firsthand glimpse into its unique challenges. I arrived to find Venice battling what hotel staff informed me was its worst flooding since 1968. My 1-minute, 50-second video, "St Marks Square Flooding," captures various scenes filmed around the iconic square on random days and times during my stay, showcasing the pervasive nature of the acqua alta.

---

Waist-High Waters and Resilient Spirits

The moment I stepped off the vaporetto, the reality of the situation hit me – literally. I had to wade through waist-high water across St. Mark's Square just to reach my hotel. It was an immediate and unforgettable introduction to Venice's watery embrace. Every single day of my trip, the area was flooded to some degree, a constant reminder of the city's delicate balance with the sea.

What struck me most, beyond the sheer volume of water, was the incredible resilience of the Venetian people. They didn't lament or complain; they simply accepted the flooding as part of their everyday life. I saw locals navigating the submerged streets with a calm pragmatism, adapting their routines to the ever-present water. Their spirit was truly fantastic, a testament to generations of living in harmony with – and at the mercy of – the tides.

A Lingering Concern for Venice's Future

Recent news reports have sadly indicated that Venice has experienced even worse flooding since my 2018 visit. My heart goes out to the residents, and I feel desperately sad for the continuous challenges they face. It highlights the urgent need for long-promised flood defences, such as the MOSE project, to finally be completed and become fully effective. One can only hope that these crucial measures will soon provide the protection Venice so desperately needs, allowing its beauty and unique way of life to thrive for generations to come.

My video serves as a small, personal document of a truly impactful experience, a visual diary of a city learning to live with its extraordinary watery landscape.

Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Photo4Me and Clickasnap using the links below. Your support means a lot!

A Snowy Easter Surprise: Capturing Calderdale's Wintery Wharfs

Remember that unexpected blanket of snow that transformed Easter Monday 2018? Here in Calderdale, it was a truly magical, if somewhat surprising, sight. I managed to capture a few glimpses of this fleeting winter wonderland in a series of short videos, and I wanted to share them with you.

These videos, each running between 1 minute 26 seconds and 1 minute 42 seconds, offer a serene look at the Sowerby Bridge Wharf area. It's a place where the historic Rochdale Canal and the Calder & Hebble Navigation meet, creating a picturesque scene that took on an entirely different character under a delicate layer of snow.

What makes these videos special is the atmosphere. The gentle snowfall, combined with the tranquil waterways, creates a sense of peaceful isolation. To enhance that mood, I've paired the visuals with the beautiful background music "Christmas Homecoming" by Aaron Kenny. While it might seem odd to associate Christmas with Easter, the music's warm, nostalgic tones perfectly complement the snowy landscape, evoking a sense of cosey tranquillity.

What you'll see:

• The Rochdale Canal: Witness the canal's still waters reflecting the soft snowfall, creating a mirror-like effect.
• The Calder & Hebble Navigation: Observe the gentle flow of this historic waterway, its banks dusted with white.
• Sowerby Bridge Wharf: See this charming area transformed into a winter scene, highlighting the beauty of its architecture and natural surroundings.

The contrast between the historic industrial setting and the delicate snowfall is truly captivating. It's a reminder of how quickly the landscape can change, and how even a brief snowfall can transform a familiar place into something extraordinary.

These videos are a small snapshot of a unique moment in time. They're a reminder of that unexpected Easter Monday, when winter briefly returned to Calderdale, creating a scene of quiet beauty.

I hope you enjoy these short glimpses of a snowy Sowerby Bridge.

Thanks for looking please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

All the images and video remain the copyright of Colin Green.