2008 - a new year

Shawcliff Lane, Great Harwood

A the end of the first week of the new year, it seems January has started like the last three months, with a wet spell. No photos from the daily commute last week as I only managed one day and that was too wet to even think about getting the camera out. Work recommenced at the roadworks (now in their 16th week). Not much changed other than digging out more of the culvert towards Little Harwood.

Kemple End and the Bowland Fells from Whalley Nab

As the days slowly turn to getting longer, I'm looking forward to some more daylight at each end of the working day. In the meantime I ordered a bright LED front headlight in the January sales. It's not the latest model but it should be bright enough at 54 candle power to alert motorists better.

Sheep grazing at Lower White Calf farm

Today's photos are from a short local ride around Great Harwood and Whalley. The weather was very pleasant and plenty of other cyclists were out in the Ribble Valley enjoying the bright spell.

St. James church Blackburn from Parsonage reservoir

Holiday jobs

I always approach the Christmas holiday season with the intention of completing some of those long delayed jobs I've been meaning to do for a long time. The trouble is, time catches up and the regular jobs come round before I can make inroads into the to-do list. Vacation is an opportunity to put that right. One of the regular jobs as a cycling commuter is maintaining my bike. In the run up to Christmas the weather was very cold and the icy conditions meant more salt on the road, so as well as some lubrication, one of the needy jobs is cleaning all the salt off.

You can see why, when the local bike shop owner suggests trading up from my old ('beater') bike for a shiny new model, I'm not overly keen to take his advice and buy another bike, especially when it would end up looking like this one. Luckily a quick wash down with a brush and soapy water will get it looking respectable again. After that, I must see about replacing the tyres. Unfortunately, the constant battle against the elements and a degree of neglect, has also resulted in some of the steel frame rusting. That's a job for another day. Happy new year to you all.

Construction industry shuts down

The construction industry has a long break at Christmas. Down at the roadworks in Philips Road they have packed up for the Christmas break. The 15th week is the halfway stage in the predicted 30 week duration. Up to press, I guess over half the culvert is now restored. Now the heavy plant has been moved off site and the site closed up until the new year.

Above you can see Knusden Brook approaching the River Blakewater from the east.

Mill Fire Update

From the front of the mill the fire damage isn't easily seen. At the rear, you can just make out some missing slates and other debris where the roof isn't complete at the ridge.

Dark menace

This guy passed me tonight with no lights. He was wearing a high-viz jacket though.



This guy was wearing a high viz jacket and had a rear light. Not a very bright rear light, but at least he had one.