Saturday 9 July 2011

The other end of the scale

In complete contrast to my previous post, the other end of the city is also the other end of the social and environmental scale. Join me for one of my favourite walks.

Well the weatherman got it completely wrong today, and instead of the torrential rain he forecast, we had a really sunny, hot and humid day. Ive had a very stressful and busy week at work - working longer hours to cover a colleagues holiday, so lungs filled with fresh air were called for.
The walk from the edge of the city at Hunters Bar (after lunch at the Greek Deli - Halloumi wrap was a taste sensation!), takes you through Sheffield's early industrial heritage - the birthplace of forging and cutlery making. The area has now been reclaimed by Mother Nature and is a truly gorgeous walk.

We start at Endcliffe Park - a park really well used by the locals - young and old alike, and wander through Whiteley Woods until you eventually end up in the Peak District.
This is the old Shepherds Wheel - a former water powered grinding workshop which has miraculously been left almost intact and is about to be restored. It is one of Sheffield's Industrial museums (which I find really fascinating). Its amazing to look around here to see where Industry started in the city.
The woods are quite magical. One of Sheffield's rivers - The Porter Brook runs through it.
I loved the patterns that the sun made using the leaves.

Hubby thought that this tree looked slightly like an elephant.


The scenery gets more and more beautiful as you get nearer to the Peak District.
The wild flowers got more prolific too.

And finally at the top of the hill, you can look back down towards the city centre. A great view.
Its a great walk. You get city, countryside, cafes(one in each park you walk through - all serving great food, coffee and cakes) industrial history and a pub at the end for a sit down and a swift half before walking back - all down hill!!!!

16 comments:

greenthumb said...

What a great day out, it looks so pretty in the photos, glad you got some fresh air.

Rowan said...

You must have been at the Norfolk Arms at Ringinglow? I walk up there but by a different routes starting at Whirkow Park and walking up the Limb valley. Always a lovely walk. I'm really pleased that Shepherd's Wheel is going to be restored too.

Jo said...

Lovely. Hope you managed to walked off the stresses of the week.

Kathy said...

That looks like a fantastic walk ... and the weather looks stunning too! Just what you needed after a busy week.
xxx

Lisa said...

You certainly picked a good walk to help get rid of the stress from a rotten old week of work. Very glad the weatherman got it wrong for you!
Lisa x

menopausalmusing said...

Could almost inhale the fresh air from looking at your post.

Susan T said...

Aren't we lucky in Britain, even though the industrial revolution has a LOT to answer for we still have the most glorious countryside to enjoy. Glad it helped to de-stress.

Lyn said...

I love that first photo Diane, perfect shot! and the shadows too.
Are you away to Cornwall in August? or can we fit a meet in somewhere??
xxx

Rosie said...

Looks like a wonderful walk, Diane - so glad the weather was kind to you after your busy working week. I love the combination of industrial history and countryside - add in a decent cafe or two and it sounds like perfection:)

A garden just outside Venice said...

Love the 1st shot, it's so perfect!
Have a good Sunday, hope you can take some relax
xxx

topchelseagirl said...

What a wonderful walk, perfect mix of urban and countryside.

Selfsewn said...

Wish I was there!!

HippieGirl said...

Lovely pics. Makes me want to visit the UK that much more!!! And here's a funny thing Diane-- weathermen almost always get the forecast wrong, here where I live, they said it was supposed to be 82 and sunny, well, they got it part right, it's sunny but not 82, no, it's 95!!!!!!!!!

Mandy said...

It is quite scary even in this country just how quickly through birth or education or illness we could easily end up in different places. Those two posts were quite an illustration of this.

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Thanks for sharing this wonderful walk, Diane. Love the photos, especially the first. Have a good week. Lesley x

Unknown said...

That's a pretty walk, with the advantage of great food, coffee & cakes along the way - sounds perfect :0)
Were those hubbies legs we saw??? xx