Exploring The World Beyond My Front Door

A gentle ramble from Hathersage to the heights of Stanage Edge. Part One. Saturday arrived on the heels of two of the most difficult and personally painful days I've ever had to live through; the need to get out somewhere and breathe clean air spurred me to catch a train out to the Hope Valley. This was a spontaneous walk with no planning so by the time I'd got my gear together and rustled up some provisions the next train was due to depart at 13.14 but despite my expectations the carriages were relatively quiet and had plenty of free seats. The weather was warm but overcast when we pulled into Hathersage station, I spent a customary 10 minutes checking gear, arranging camera-bag straps and stowing various items in particular pockets and flaps where I might access them as needed. There was a steady breeze and I paused for a moment to breathe deeply; some of the tension and pain melted away. I felt good, ready to explore and perhaps find a measure of peace out in t

A journey into a forgotten world, the Gothic splendour of the Sheffield General Cemetery. Walled off from the careless modern world lies a forgotten haven of peace; a place to breathe, escape your cares and from which to emerge renewed. At least that's how I feel about Sheffield General Cemetery, to be found between Ecclesall Road on one side, with Sharrow and Nether Edge on the other.  The Gatehouse opens onto Cemetery Avenue off Ecclesall Road, however I prefer to enter from the other side on Cemetery Road, through a magnificent gateway that first drew my attention to this lost world. The gateway viewed from Cemetery Road, built in a style that references ancient Egyptian architecture including the winged solar disc.  I remember how I was first drawn to the cemetery more than a few years ago; walking along in a daydreaming frame of mind, vaguely aware of the warm sandstone wall beside me when out of nowhere, I was before an immense stone gateway, seemingly strai