YSP in the snow

We managed to get out for a walk today - and a freezing cold walk it was too.

 These photo's are not taken in black and white, it is just that there is no colour in the day at all.

 The lake was frozen.

 Half way round, we called in for soup (and a customary browse around the gift shop).  The new indoor exhibition is pleasing.

 Although the painted pigeons for sale at £125.00 each seem a bit steep!

 Back out in the garden, Barbara Hepworths "Family of Man" stood surrounded by snow.

 I don't think we have ever been here in the snow, so it made a lovely change.

 The sky still looks full of it if you ask me!

Keep warm my lovelies xxx

Roll on Summer

I do find this time of year a challenge!  I am so ready for the light nights and better weather.  I can't believe it is a week since I posted!  I cancelled a trip to the cinema midweek (to see Les Mis) as the snow started to fall and even the weatherman on TV was surprised by it, so I thought it safer to stay in!  The highlight of my week was an evening visit to Wentworth Woodhouse with my sister and mum (as part of their Christmas present).  They showed us a couple of extra rooms that I hadn't seen on my first tour and mentioned that they are now doing some tours that take you further into the house and into the gardens - so I shall book one of these for the summer.

 Hubby and I managed to get into Sheffield for a while today, but the skies were so grey that my photos were really dull, however we had a lovely lunch out and visited a new art exhibition at the Millennium galleries which was lovely.

I am not a winter person!

For those who asked, my crafting session last weekend was a total disaster.  I lugged all my fabrics, sewing machine etc downstairs - and then lost my mojo.  I did make one bag, whose handles ended up between the bag and the lining!!!  I cursed a lot and decided that my head was not in the right place at the moment.  xx

The Weekend

I had planned a little excursion into town this weekend to photograph something special, but the weatherman says it may snow, and I'm not up to trudging through a blizzard at the moment, and so I am going to stay in, keep warm and crack on with a couple of craft projects instead.  

Enjoy your weekend - whatever you get up to. xxxxxx

Elsecar's Newcomen Engine

We have been staying very local for our walks lately - partly to do with the lack of daylight hours, which are now slowly lengthening albeit by a minute or so each day!

On Saturday, we walked along the canal at Elsecar.  I noticed in local news  last year that funding has been found to restore the old Newcomen Engine that used to pump water out of the coal mine here.  It is very special as it is the only one left that remains in its original location.  It will be great if they get it running again.

 The Heritage Centre in Elsecar is a bit hit and miss, but does benefit from a host of fantastic volunteers who keep the old steam railway up and running.  I think they will love getting their hands on this.

 We really enjoyed our walk.  I can remember Elsecar when the colliery was in full swing.  It often makes me feel old when I look and see how much has changed locally in my life time.

 Whilst on our walk, I heard an almighty din.  Looking up, I noticed hundreds of geese in flight.

 Trying to photograph them reminded me that I have promised to buy myself a bit better camera once the expense of Christmas has passed!

A favourite city walk

One of my favourite city walks is from Hunters Bar in Sheffield, through Endcliffe Park and beyond.

 I have brought you here many times before, but with only a small window of opportunity for a walk today, it was an obvious choice.  I love the combination of nature, industrial history and brilliant cafes!

 The cutlery industry started off in the Porter Valley here at the Shepherds Wheel - one of Sheffield's Industrial museums, and a brilliant little place - FOC to enter too.

 I think it is only open on weekends and bank holidays, but is well worth a visit - especially in winter when they always have the fire going!

 They have some of the winding belts running.  I would love to see these all being used.  Can you see the "mule"  where the grinder would sit to grind blades on the grindstones??

 I loved reading about geological features of the area and features like this quarry that I have seen before but didn't know anything about.

 The walk as far as Forge Dam is fairly flat, which was good news today!

 Colour was added on this grey day by the mosses and lichens.

.... and the orange streams that join the Porter Brook - from old mine works around here.

 Forge Dam Cafe is one of my favourite cafes in Sheffield - absolutely nothing fancy, just an old nissen hut with "proper snap"!

 ....and always open!  I often think we should come here for Christmas lunch - perhaps if there is ever just the old man and me.

 We cleaned our boots by the stepping stones,

 .. and were entertained by the brilliant tight rope walker practising his skill.

It was great to be back to normal, and have time to get out walking.  I love Christmas, but it can seem a lot of work - especially for 1 person (and I don't mean Santa!) and it does seem to be over in flash these days.

Slow news week

Its not been a particularly slow news week here at Heartshaped towers, but nothing blogworthy has happened, so I thought I would share this amazing You Tube clip that my daughter showed me, and what an imaginative use for your old margarine cartons!
Check out their other clips too - truly beautiful.

New Years Day Walk

On discovering a day without rain clouds, we decided to make the most of our last holiday day.  I have to say that one of my most  favourite things in the world is getting up without the aid of an alarm clock! We didn't venture far but were highly delighted  to discover that you can now enter freely into the stable yard at Wentworth Woodhouse where a chap has a coffee van (weekends only at the moment I think).  Hot Chocolate was exceptionally nice!

 This gave me a perfect excuse to nosey about the place and press my nose up at windows etc!

 There is a heck of a lot of work to be done here, but it has such potential.

 There was a lot of evidence from when the house was leased to Sheffield Polytechnic and became Lady Mabel College.

 One thing puzzled us - we could not decide how the horses would have gotten into the stables.  I'll have to ask on my next visit.

 The village itself was heaving with walkers - so great to see on a lovely afternoon.

I've not been able to make the most of the outdoors over Christmas - the rain has been a pain, and one walk in the pouring down stuff was enough!  But today it felt really good to be outdoors and knowing that although we potentially have some more wintry weather to come, we are heading in the right direction for Spring.