Ramsbottom

I know!  What a name for a town!  Last Saturday, our walking group traversed afar to the wrong side of the Pennines to the wonderful little town of Ramsbottom.  The town sits nestled in the enormous , steep and very beautiful Irwell Valley.

 Hubby and I arrived a little early and treated ourselves to a breakfast sandwich - to fuel the walk.   I thought you couldn't get more "Lancashire" than "Entwistle's of Ramsbottom"!!  Fabulous butties too.

 We parked in the car park at the railways station which is free.

 We had a quick look around the platform - the steam trains were running all day.

 Once the rest of our party arrived, we set about our first challange - walking up the ENORMOUS hill to "Peels Tower" .   As I said before, the sides of the valley were incredibly steep and this was a bit of a challenge for me, however I have noticed that my fitness has improved quite dramatically since we joined the walking group.  I wouldn't say I skipped up the hill, but I didn't moan about it as much as I used to!!

 We had planned to climb the tower (up the stairs on the inside of the tower) but a group of people were abseiling .

 We got to have a little look around inside though  Lots of interesting reading matter and facts about Robert Peel and his family.

 The morning had started off quite chilly and very grey, and it was much colder on the tops.  There was still a fair bit of snow to be found in parts too.

 Here's my walking buddy Emma - I don't know how we do it, but we usually can yak for the full duration of any walk we do - no matter what the length!

 I loved the pattern of the frozen water on top of Holcombe Moor.

 Emma commented that this walk had a bit of everything.  Wind, rain, cold, sun, warm, geography, history, geology, nature.....

 ... and a firing range!  

 I'm pleased to say that most of the walking group commented how many photographs they took on this walk - more than usual.

 I keep pointing things out with my bloggers eye that they would normally walk past.  I think they are noticing more.  We did also have a real photographer enthusiast with us on this walk which was fun for me.

I think you can tell how much I enjoy walking with our group - I am a big fan of the outdoors and it makes me turn out whatever the weather and wherever we go.  On this walk we discovered an area where we had never visited and one that we will return to explore further.

Nottingham

On Saturday, hubby and I decided that we should visit Nottingham.  It's only about a 45 minute drive, but hubby had never been, and I have not visited since about 1983!

 We parked near the Lace Market area as I fancied a look around this historic district.  At one time all the best lace was made in Nottingham - sadly I don't think they have any lace makers left now.  It's a shame that they have not left a building as a museum with the machines etc.  I would have loved to have seen that.

 I have a great interest in industrial architecture and I loved these unique buildings.

 I think many of them have been turned into apartments.

 En route into the main area, we popped into this lovely looking church.

 I loved this window with the gown featuring Nottingham lace.

 We popped into "The Contemporary"  gallery for breakfast.  It is a very modern building which is quite unusual as the city has mainly older buildings.  It looks as if it missed the bombing of world war 2.

 The shopping streets have some gorgeous old shops and arcades.

 Hubby liked the statue of Brian Clough.

 We thought it was a good likeness.

 Of course, Nottingham's most famous resident was Robin Hood.

 We didn't visit the castle as we wanted to have a good look around the city, but we enjoyed ourselves so much that we are planning a return visit.

 We discovered the Canal path and had a little wander.

 We are not shoppers, but we were drawn into "White Stuff" by their window displays.  I thought I would share them with you for inspiration!

 It was more like an experience than a shop.  It had a cinema in it (to park the kids) and you sit and have a free cuppa and cake in cosy corners of the shop.

We plan to go again - what else should we see in Nottingham?
PS Dear Rosie - I could not find the old Laura Ahsley shop that used to be the main reason for my visits in the 1980's.  I couldn't even remember whereabouts it was! x

Snow Scenes

In South Yorkshire, we keep getting some heavy falls of snow that cause disruption on the roads, and it's not moving very fast either.  Whilst the roads are now clearish, the fields are still full.

 It's also light enough for me to get a quick walk in after work now - so that's a bonus and a sign that we are heading in the right direction!

 The patterns in the snow where so pretty

And we have more forecast.