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Behind us on the moors is a rather enigmatic stone arch - well, its a door way and the only remaining piece of a large farm house built in 1672 by a wealthy Yeoman farmer. We've visited it before, years ago when the boys were quite small and Youngest can only remember how foul the weather was....
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For years, we've driven past it - it always seemed brooding and distant on the skyline as we drove along the winding road to Hebden Bridge and I had no inclination to revisit such a gloomy landmark.
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Then a few weeks ago, I looked at it as we drove past. A small but dominant feature on an open moorland field and I suddenly had the urge to see it with new eyes. So, on Tuesday, Youngest took me for our first dogless walk to revisit a moment in our history that neither of us really recall clearly or kindly.
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Standing at 11ish feet tall and with a now very weathered stone carved sign over the lintel - the door way stands proud in the landscape and I realised how little I know about it.
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The weather that day was far kinder than our collective memories and in the spring sunshine, it felt rather refreshing to be out on the moors breathing in clear air and appreciating the far distant views.
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We'll go back, but we'll walk further, towards the trees on the horizon then to their right where a more modern monument to the memory of a loved one is situated - a solid granite bench with an sublime view.
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Youngest has a vintage Kodak Polaroid camera with all the quirks and glitches befitting something of that age and he took an image of the door way - doesn't it look like a portal to another dimension?
Yes, we thought so too. Our memories of this archway are better ones now than the ones we'd harboured from before.
Steeped in fairy tales as I am--I might be a bit hesitant to walk through that doorway.
ReplyDeleteThere was a lovely feel to the place this time, considering the previous visit we left with a negative feeling, it was good to go up and clear our heads and souls with the curlews, lapwings and sky larks all singing around us.
DeleteYes there's definitely something strange through the arch!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that you could still get the things for taking photos with a Polaroid. Had one in the 70's but the photos used to fade away with time.
The present 20 - 30 year olds are very into their 'retro' and kodak picked up on that and make modern polaroid film and cameras (and charge a fortune) - apparently the film is more stable now and you can get the type that looks very vintage and the type that gives circular photos.
DeleteLovely! All the more so since we've been there, a couple of years ago I think. It is a lovely arch and I always look for it as we drive over THAT ROAD to Hebden Bridge. x
ReplyDeleteYes THAT road!! The arch always catches my eye when go drive by too x
DeleteA fascinating place with intriguing history
ReplyDeleteWe have quite a bit locally (as you do too) and find it really interesting to delve into their history
DeleteWhat a lovely mini adventure on what looks like a bright sunny day. I enjoy seeing old relics of buildings long gone, taking photos, then wondering about their past. Thanks for sharing this one with us. Take care & hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan, the weather is finally feeling less brittle and more spring like - makes for better adventuring weather :)
DeleteI'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before but.... you have the loveliest places to walk and explore. Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debi - we are lucky to have such a plethora of paths and such interesting history on our doorstep :)
DeleteWhat wonderful photos. If only arches could talk! x
ReplyDeleteI wish it could talk - it probably has a lot it could talk about :) x
DeleteWell done for getting out, so pigging hard when there are only two legs walking and not four. Fab final picture from Youngest, especially the way the age streaks have settled around the edges of the portal. xx
ReplyDeleteIt was pigging hard - perfectly said. But what I needed ❤️🩹 xx
DeleteWow, that is an otherworldly place. Nice to recreate more pleasant memories of it, the sunshine can do that. xx
ReplyDeleteI agree - sunshine can certainly improve the mood. It does have an otherworldly feel to it xx
DeleteVery impressive. I'm glad the weather was more kind to you on this occasion. Xx
ReplyDeleteSo were we! It is amazing (and obvious) how the weather can alter your perception of a place xx
DeleteMagnificent vibrant images of your moorland walk and most particularly of the doorway; an interesting landmark. It makes me wonder why it is still standing. The mystical version of the "portal" created by youngest stirs my fertile imagination :-) That is probably due to the fact that I am actually rereading some of my favourite fantasy novels by Raymond Feist where portals are mentioned in abundance. Keep well. Amanda x
ReplyDeleteHow on Earth I missed this post goodness only knows…but what an interesting reminder of times past. x
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