Wednesday 22nd November 2023, 4.50pm (day 4,472)
It is, of course, wholly dark by 4.50pm at this time of year. Scant weeks ago this guy would have been waiting for his bus home in balmy sunshine. But so it is for all of us.
Bus stop
Being 42
Life, one day at a time
Category Archives: Hebden Bridge
Tree and Chapel, evening
Thursday 2nd November 2023, 5.40pm (day 4,452)
This week has been one of those periods where keeping this blog going is as much an exercise in persistence as it is one of creativity. Despite all the countries that have been seen in the last 12.25 years (see the stats) it’s been seven months since I have left the UK (the last shot taken away from Blighty being this one of the Pyrenees on 5th April). But this will change in 2024, with fairly definite plans for trips to Canada, the US (including New York City) and at least one return to St Helena, via Namibia. So hang in there…. Meanwhile, here’s a shot of a local tree.
Still working on the roof
Wednesday 25th October 2023, 9.15am (day 4,444)
The roofers have been working on Nutclough Mill for weeks now. Months, even. But there are worse mornings to be up there.
Today is, as you may notice, day 4,444 — twelve years and two months, more or less. I did think about finding something 4-related to mark it, but this photo was always going to be today’s shot once it was taken. Nevertheless the number is worth noting, particularly as Stafford, last Thursday, was place number 444. Which if nothing else shows I am maintaining a steady diet of one new place every ten days.
September shower
Friday 22nd September 2023, 4.30pm (day 4,411)
The week has been a busy one but ends uneventfully. The weather was unconducive to a spell sat outside the pub, so the drinking was done indoors today. I believe this shot was captured through the window; a sensible approach under the circumstances.
The 7:12 arrives, on time (nearly)
Thursday 21st September 2023, 7.15am (day 4,410)
Regular early morning shots seem to have mostly disappeared from the blog; this is the earliest, and the first before 8am, since 20th January, and that was taken when coming into Addis Ababa airport so not exactly normal circumstances. Other than that this is the earliest since 7th October 2022. In all that time Northern Rail might have run a whole morning’s service which didn’t contain at least one train that turned up just that few minutes late…. but I doubt it.
The old (Hebden) bridge
Thursday 14th September 2023, 10.35am (day 4,403)
Six bridges — three of which are for pedestrians only — cross the Hebden Water in town, but Hebden Bridge is named for this one specifically, purportedly built in 1510. This is something of a stock local shot but it gives as good an impression of the general shape of the town as is available.
Boatman
Thursday 31st August 2023, 11.25am (day 4,389)
I don’t know whether the 19th century did outdoor seating and umbrellas in quite the same way as the Stubbings Wharf pub does in 2023, but otherwise this picture could well have been taken 150 years ago: man (with beard) waiting for nearby lock to fill, and trying to stop the boat floating away while he does so. It’s a slow way of life on the water, which I guess is why plenty of people like to live it.
Behind the pub, late
Sunday 27th August 2023, 10.05pm (day 4,385)
Gosh, this year of my life starts with two consecutive nights out. But then again it is a holiday weekend. We are the last ones out behind the Railway, in fact. This picture appeals purely because of the lights.
The roofers: still there
Thursday 24th August 2023, 8.45am (day 4,382)
For some weeks now these guys have been pretty much the first thing seen as our curtains are opened in the morning; work to redo the roof of the Nutclough Mill has been going on forever, it seems. Rain or shine, and it was definitely rain this morning.
Water leak
Wednesday 23rd August 2023, 6.30pm (day 4,381)
Across from our house, out of the road, cometh water: not necessarily a commodity in short supply in West Yorkshire but still, those of us who pay our bills do sometimes wonder what proportion of them goes to cover this kind of unnecessary wastage. The blue paint on the road and on the inspection cover above suggests the utilities company are ‘aware’: but that doesn’t mean anything in practical terms. Not the most exciting of shots, I know, but you could always see it as an abstract.
Being 42 