Exploring The World Beyond My Front Door

A Pandemic Journal: Escaping The Lockdown Along Sheffield’s Canal And River Don During a previous post on this blog, returning after an extended period away from writing, I tried to give voice to the intangible feeling of the world turning into a darker and more threatening place. Well, I think it’s safe to say that’s a road down which we have all travelled further than any of us could have imagined. I just don’t think it’s possible to encapsulate all that has transpired in the last few months; events have played out, almost inconceivable in scale. And continue to do so, all over the world. It’s against this backdrop and the resulting circumstances that again motivate me to return to more creative and fulfilling endeavours. As the coronavirus outbreak overtook the UK, like many other countries, we entered a state of lockdown. An extended period of personal isolation began, during which as individuals, we were presented with the circumstance, and perhaps more importantly the time, that ...

Exploring The Ancient Landscape Around Hathersage And Stanage Edge. It was a Sunday morning in July and I decided that it was time to get my gear together and once again head out into the World Beyond My Front Door. The only problem was that I had said the exact same thing the weekend previously, and the one before that. But not this time. I was determined to see it through. Admittedly, the weather was overcast but at least it was warm without being too hot. So, no more excuses, today was the day! The rest of the morning was spent digging out rucksacks, flasks, maps, camera bags and various other pieces of equipment. By the time I had assembled everything and walked down to the train station, it was early afternoon. In a way this suited me, I had always relished finishing a walk in the Peak District in the early to late evening during the summer season, when the crowds of day-trippers, climbers, hikers, fell runners and others too numerous to mention had enjoyed their adven...

Rediscovering Curiosity.   The world beyond my front door has certainly changed since my last post: it seems a little darker and perhaps a more threatening place than it did a few years ago. In these turbulent times I think it’s more important than ever to find those quiet places in which we can take refuge and find time to disconnect from the breakneck pace of modern life. Changes have occurred in my own circumstances too, cameras have come and gone, passions and interests have waxed and waned. Years have passed. Perhaps it’s the growing awareness of the time slipping by in my own life that motivates me now to return to more creative and fulfilling endeavours. While the world beyond my front door has in some instances grown more overcast and ugly, there are still beautiful and interesting places waiting to be investigated and uncovered. The technical requirements of this blog have also changed. I’ve recently tried a new layout as the old one was starting to look ...

Exploring the Sheffield Round Walk Part Four: Gleadless Valley to Meersbrook and along Brincliffe Edge. On a warm and pleasant Sunday afternoon in late August 2015, I found myself halfway through the final two sections of the Sheffield Round Walk. I had spent the morning walking along the Sheaf Valley, through the ancient woodland around Beauchief Abbey, before abruptly emerging back into the modern world at Meadowhead. The congested traffic, motionless in a cloud of their own exhaust fumes, sat in the heat and glare of the bright sunshine. I decided to take advantage of the nearby supermarket to buy some refreshment, use the toilet facilities and to take stock of my progress. The trusty green acorn signpost of the Round Walk. I crossed the Meadowhead road and entered the welcoming cool shade of the trees on the edge of Graves Park. I followed the tarmacked footpath while finishing off the last mouthfuls of my sandwich, taking care to dispose of the packaging in the litt...