5 Miles or less from my home by Peter Hulbert

Today I was out with my camera and was inspired to do so because of the break in the weather and the spring sounds and smells were in all of there glory.

My first picture is from the side of the river in which runs through this very picturesque hamlet on the Sheffield & Barnsley border. I took this picture to highlight the way the sun broke through the trees and lit up the area of grassland and a single tree surrounded by bluebells.

My second picture is a simple but quaint photo of a solitary dry stone wall amongst the forest of trees and one asks oneself, who built this wall and why. All of those man hours, time and effort but for what purpose.
 

My third picture was of a heron going about his business as if he owned the lake. In many ways, he probably does own the lake as herons are territorial and this fella was in no mood to share the waters.

Another shot of this cheeky chapie going about his business of seeking out fish for lunch.

I had to take one last photo as he poked his cheeky head out from his hideaway.

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In the end. this cheeky chapie decided to keep an eye on myself and perhaps he was wondering who the weirdo was that was stalking him with a camera.

 

I Stumbled upon this tree to which had a growth of fungus upon it and the tree looked so much as if it was out of place here but perhaps should appear in a story from the Bronte Sisters or Hanzle & Grettle. On this was for sure, it certainly caught my attention.

 

 

I Eventually ended up at a favorite spot of mine where the peace and quiet is only overshadowed by the waterfall. Turn your speakers on and enjoy the sounds of nature.

 

I took this short video for you all to enjoy a little piece of Yorkshire. Turn up the volume and enjoy the sound of the birds whilst you watch the river and for the keen eyed ones amongst you, you will notice the brown trout surface to catch a May fly on the left hand side of the stepping stones. For those from Yorkshire, I would ask if you can guess where I took these pictures to share with you and in particular, which river & location.

                                                          
                                                  copyright 2015 #peterhulbert

1st June 2015

Today I felt the urge to go out to Bradfield which a village close to me to which sits nicely on the edge of the Derbyshire/Yorkshire borders and as the farms were all in the middle of growing season and the sky was providing us with a blue/grey cover of cloud, it seemed appropriate to take a few photographs of where I had been in which to provide those of interest a stimulating view of the wonders of Yorkshire as seen through the lens of Peter Hulbert.

Here is a view across the field of rape seed to which as far as the eye can see is awash with yellow blossom and when the wind blows, it produces a wave across the field to which one might easily be fooled into thinking there was a lake of some sort under the flowers. Peter Hulbert took this simple picture with him mobile phone on 1st June 2015

Peter Hulbert's second picture is taken from a different part of the field but shows just how far the sea of yellow blossom and pollen goes. In truth, this was only a small field in comparison to some of the fields growing this very colourful and I am given to believe valuable plant.

This picture provides a story within the picture of the weather closing in and providing the expected rain due any time. Peter Hulbert took this picture in order to capture the light and broken cloud which sets the tone for thought inspired creativity. Peter Hulbert is known for his comedy and funny overtones but with scenery like this in the backdrop, he really would do better as a liter y poet or script writer for withering heights. 

Peter Hulbert saw one last opportunity to capture the pending storm to which was fast approaching from beyond the horizon and to which shows the change within the cloud cover and probably 3 or 4 minuets before the heavens open up and pours with rain with what the UK likes to call a summer shower. I hope you enjoy the views surrounding my area and if you do it would be nice to hear from you with your comments.

The keen eagle eyed ones amongst you all will notice the mallard duck seated in the middle of the river and presumably taking a quick break from swimming up stream.

Here is a long and lonely look at the reservoir from a location much further toward the top or narrow end of the lake. It's usually more secluded here but also just as accessible to those who seek peace and quiet.

I could not help but capture these two Gees who were so pre-ocupied with having lunch that keeping an eye of some lunatic with a camera. They were very content and simply feeding whilst the opportunity came along.

It's not the best picture on planet earth but for those with good eyesight, you will notice a hovering kestrel to which caught my eye.

It may be the most boring picture on planet earth but I just had to capture this sheep whilst he/she had no idea that I was even close by. As you will see, the track was secluded and the sheep was busy doing what sheep do........ chewing.

Hows this for lonely !. Just me myself and a road sign saying that the road ahead is steep and to beware of the decent down.

To say it is wild here is probably an understatement but you can take it from me, I haven't seen a car in over half an hour and may not see one all day some days.

For those who have never been to the UK or had the opportunity to visit, below is a 200 year old road sign that was used in times gone by to direct the stage coach and riders. There are many of these in my part of the world and whilst Im used to seeing them, I thought you might enjoy a glance at the times when Withering Heights or similar were written and enjoyed by so many.

This is the same sign but from a different angle. This point was used by Highway Men to rob the stage coach or riders as they got lost on the moors etc.

I have no idea why they called the local village hope, but I like to think that it was more of wishful thinking rather than expectant good will.

This sign or milestone as they are sometimes known shows that it was on the main rout to Penistone from Hope, this would have been a main rout 200 years ago.

You can see today just how lonely it is here on the moors. As far as the eye can see, there is no other form of transport or person etc. I love the quiet but it's not for everyone.

Belive it or not, there is something in this picture of significance but to be honest, to most people it is a little boring. Whilst I was driving along one of the country lanes, I noted out of the car window a head popping up and down in the field and it caught my attention. It turned out to be a Black Grouse of which in my part of the world is quite a rarety although further north, they are sighted more frequently. I tried to capture a picture of the shy fella but suffice to say, he was not open to the offer that if Peter Hulbert took one picture, he would leave him alone for the rest of the day.

 

To those who have never seen a dry stone wall, you may think this picture a little boring but what you need to appreciate in days of old, there were no brick layers, mortar or otherwise and as such farmers or land owners still had a need or requirement to section up areas of land from others and as such had to use local tools and materials in which to build a wall to separate fields etc. As such, they would collect all the stone they could find, shape it and erect a wall without any other means of bonding it except to make every piece fit like a giant jig saw pattern in which every piece of stone fits perfect and thus remains there for hundreds of years to come.

Here is a view across the valley showing different fields of vegetation and displaying all the colours that vary the plants offer., the slight tinge of purple is the local heather which has just come into plume.

Here is a view looking down the valley toward the roaming mist and hills of Derbyshire.

Below is a small natural spring waterfall to which flows 24 X 7 and if one wishes, it is totally possible to drink this water as it is 100% pure and has never been mixed with anything else except nature.

These chickens in any other location might be risking life and limb but here, they may be lucky if 5 cars a week pass by.

Here is the peace and calm of "lower Bradfield". It is part of the feed in system for the local reservoir and is a well visited local beauty spot.
 

Not quite sure what this guy was doing this far south although we do have lots of Highland Cattle in my part of England. They are well known for their calm nature and even temperament although when they look at you, it is a little concerting.

As often as I see these beasts around my area, I can't help but admire there calm nature and there ability to stand alone in looking so wonderful against the backdrop of the open space.

Here is a wonderfully carved tree stump to which looks a little like a north american native indian totam pole but I can assure you all that this is no where near north amearica and is in fact much closer to home and on the outscirts of Sheffield and within a few miles of Peter Hulbert and his family home.

I took this picture with a tongue in cheek approach, the road sign stands for No Entry and combined with the Pub Name, I thought it rather appropriate.

Here is a picture showing the river weir and in the distance the Cock Inn which is displayed in the picture above.

Just a different view of the carved tree stump as shown above, this picture was from a different angle and taken by Peter Hulbert and was simply to highlite the wonderfully skilled carvings within the wood itself.

As Peter Hulbert was wondering through the local forrest, he noticed some overnight growth of fungus and whilst not knowing the names of said plant, decidied to take a few snaps and let the fungi continue being undisturbed and hidden away in the trees.

This individual piece of the cluster of fungi stood out from the pack and made a wonderful picture to emphasise how perfectly formed a simple piece of vegitation can make such a photogenic plant to add to any photo album held by Peter Hulbert.

Whilst I ofetn get asked this very simple question of "What is this a picture of" and at first glance it is not so obviouse and easily mistaken for a cave or cavern, the truth is it is much less spectaculour than a cave etc, it is in fact a hollowed out English Oak tree to which Peter Hulbert saw an opportunity to place his camera inside the trunk of the tree and take a picture looking straight um inside the tree.

This was quite an unusual occasion when a tall ship was sailing up the River Thames whilst Peter Hulbert was visiting London and whilst he did not have his camera with him, he did have his mobile phone with a built in camera to which on this occasion managed to capture the ship quite well in all it's splender.

A very famous landmark near Peter Hulbert's hunting grounds. It's the world famous Chesterfield Church to which has been made famous because of it's famous twisted spire. It actually looks bent but in truth it is twisting or spiraling and no one knows why.