I'd wanted to do this walk for some time for a few reasons:
- would it be a good location for a photo walk or
- a new location for workshops
- I haven't been out for a walk for a long time
- I was testing out minimum camera gear to walk with with a lightweight old tripod (can't afford the Giotto yet but not averse to Christmas Presents!!??)
- I'd seen some lovely photos by this guy while researching this area
- I really needed to get away somewhere quiet
I went around sunrise which is quite late this time of year. I had checked on google earth and the valley didn't get much sun until about 8am so it was a leisurely start but from the angle of light it looked as though weather permitting it would be lovely. Lots of long shadows and side lighting which bring out the beautiful structures of the eroded hillsides.
First problem on arriving at Hawkswick, there is not a lot of parking and the parking that is there, is on private land with a small fee. Not that I mind but if I had too could 2 cars fit in there. Mmmm maybe not.
I knew the first bit would be a bit of a slog, the piled up contour lines on the map was a bit of a clue. I'm not fit at the moment so yes, baby steps up the path and I just had to stop for the sunrise and wait for some colour and light. Unfortunately with the frost was a very fine haze and slow moving clouds. So I waited a bit and yes did get a few minutes of hazy sunshine.
No escape from the path straight up the hillside but once on the top were some lovely views towards Arncliffe. Unfortunately not t'other way as the caravan park, now rather evident through the winter trees, was a bit obvious.
There is a lovely gateway of lichened rocks by a small shooting hut. But no light in the valley below and beyond. So I waited. Listening to the grouse and wishing I had a light zoom lens for the grouse that was sitting on a white rock on the moor well within distance. I waited an hour or more and got something I liked but not quite what I wanted.
The clouds came over, I was cold, the grouse was mocking me now by striking perfect poses.
This is access area and although the path is easy to follow on the ground on the map it isn't. I was going to come down through a wood, but once I got through the gate the drop was horrendous so I carried on knowing I would end up on another farm track leading down to the road.
I'm glad I carried on as sections of old walls provided some lovely foreground interest for the shots of Arncliffe and the valley beyond. The sun was out, the frost was still on the ground, but as I had to sit down to take the shot I didn't mind, water and protein bar at the ready.
Walking back through the fields I came across a beautiful hawthorn bush, dancing, spiritual, reminding me of Indian dancers with bright colours swirling, bright berried not yet been picked off by winter thrushes, the light catching the different colours of the bark, greens, algae set again the backdrop of the hill I had just walked, the browns of the bracken, the light coloured cliffs.
I started out with wide shots capturing the wall and the tree but the wall was too new and light, so I went in closer and closer just capturing what had entranced me.
Seven hours later I was back at my car, ready for a coffee and watching the snow clouds gather.
So had I answered any questions:
- it might be a good photo walk but the best photo locations are at the Arncliffe end
- the gear worked well though for a 5 mile walk it was a long walk after stopping and standing in the cold!
- it was really quiet, wonderful.
Oh and if you are wondering I took about 80 shots, 2 definite keepers and don't really know about the others.
