Paul

Nice series Matt. Paul.

Thanks Geoff. I was a bit surprised at the lack of water in the Italian garden. Paul.

One end is closed off (now) Geoff and it's a dead end sadly. The only way to access the opposite side of the river is through Read. Thanks Polly. I spend ages (this was the best part of an hour) scouring the web for music that is apt, and not copyrighted (or is © but the owner allows it's use on YT). It's gratifying when it's noted as a good choice. Paul.

Amazing colours. We had our festival in Preston recently but I was working that day. Paul.

It's a wonderful view Polly. Paul.

The disused historic structure on the East Lancashire skyline was reopened to walkers in 2017 after having been closed for more than 16 years. Martholme Viaduct was reopened following six months of restoration work. The grade II-listed structure stands over the River Calder and allows wonderful views towards Simonstone, Accrington, Whalley and Great Harwood. The 300 metre-long walkway was closed in 2001 following a foot and mouth outbreak. The viaduct was completed in 1877 and consists of 10 rounded arches, each around 12 metres wide. It once served trains running on the North Lancashire Loop, also known as the Great Harwood Loop, a nine-mile route through the town, as well as Simonstone and Padiham. It last carried trains in 1964. Part of the Netflix series "The Stranger" (Episode 4) was filmed on location here. The viaduct was originally intended to be a wooden construction, but was eventually built of sandstone rubble. Paul.

I'm glad you remember the place so fondly Dee - it's still popular especially on Good Friday. Paul.

Thank you Geoff Paul

Thanks Jeff Paul

Here is a small A. similis / fenestralis spider with lunch... Paul.

Congratulations Strav - a great choice Polly. Paul.

What a strange shape compared to other you show us. Paul.

Nice Polly - the house adds great depth. Paul.

Love the cat! Paul.

Very nice series - the light looks just right. Paul.

Thanks Geoff. The place was empty of other people. 1 woman walked by on the path, and 4 kids were playing in the woods, and they were the only other people besides myself there. Paul

The hall ruins we see today are from 1776 when John Hollinshead built a new house on the site. It had previously been home to a large farmhouse, dating from over hundred years earlier. This was mostly demolished, making way for the new hall and probably the well house too. The Well House, the least ruined part of Hollinshead Hall, Tockholes, according to local rumour, is associated with mysterious powers. Hollinshead Holy Well has a vague reputation of being haunted and also that its very pure water is good for eye troubles. Hollinshead Hall is referred to in Twycross’ Mansions of England (1846), where the well-house is mentioned, said to have been formerly called ‘Thee Holy Spring’, and visited by pilgrims who came for the water. Although not much of the original house is left today, you can still see the well-preserved remains of the hall’s well house. It’s a rather imposing building with metal bars at the windows and, even though you can’t go inside, you can still take a peek at the interior. Paul.

Well done Gareth Paul.

Thanks Dee - it looks in better condition than when I last went up there years and years ago. Now the volunteers give a good talk if you go when they are there. Paul.

The Pigeon Tower, Rivington, Lancashire A journey from the Ravine entrance at the foot of the hills up to the Pigeon tower. A pretty tough climb in parts but worth the effort. Originally called the Lookout Tower, then the Dovecote Tower, the Pigeon Tower as it is now known was built between 1905 and 1909. It was built in 1910 by Lord Leverhulme as part of his Rivington estate in Lever Park and stands at the north west edge of the Terraced Gardens. Thomas Mawson, the designer/landscape architect of the Gardens, liked to create a tall focal point in many of his landscapes, and the Italian Garden section of Rivington Terraced Gardens was no exception. The Pigeon Tower remains standing today when so many other structures have been lost, purely through public calls for its preservation. The restoration has allowed the tower to be brought back into use with visitors being able to go inside the tower, to see fireplace and top floor, and experience the spectacular views offered from inside on Open Days and Events. Paul.

One of two flights on the 22nd of May saw me blast the Mini 3 Pro into Sports Mode and fly up to around Rivington Pike. Rivington Pike is a hill on Winter Hill, part of the West Pennine Moors at Rivington, Chorley in Lancashire, England at an elevation of 363 metres. The wind up there was considerable. Written records of ‘Roun Pike’ stretch back to 1280, though it is entirely feasible the Pike became part of England’s integral beacon defence network over a century earlier under the instigation of the Earl of Chester after the Scottish raids of 1138. Paul.

It's in a resticted air space zone, no no flying allowed.

Thanks Polly, Jeff. Bees are vital to our existence, we should all embrace them. Paul.

Lets hope for good weather and even better subjects! Paul.

Thanks Geoff. The power station (BNFL) have no fly zones so it may not be possible. Paul.