“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds”. Edward Abbey
So while I was away in Hebden Bridge the clocks went back and I lost the last bit of light in the evening and gained it in the morning instead. So I couldn’t resist an early morning walk and if I am honest I felt like I was gaining a stone every day! I don’t think I have ever had so many people trying to feed me constantly all through every single day. SO I woke an hour early every morning to take in Hebden in what light there was. I can not tell you how hard it is to juggle living away, working, staying on top of your normal job and trying to have some downtime. You have to sacrifice sleep because apparently no matter how hard or much you wish, there will only ever be 24 hours in a day!
There is an area in Hebden Park that allows people to graffiti legally and the results are beautiful, happy and inspiring. I am a massive fan of street art as an art form, how wonderful would the world be if you turned more street corners and were greeted with positive images and quotes. Believe me, I have seen more offensive outfits in Manchester on a Saturday night then I have ever seen offensive graffiti around the world.
“Books, not guns. Culture, not violence. You can change the world”
“We all smile in the same language”
Inspirational walk to work!
Local skatepark with a splash or two of colour!
My hotel overlooked the Rochdale canal which also seems to be the main walkway to the train station, quirks of Yorkshire life. The canal is littered with old mills which now seem to be luxury apartment blocks, welcome to the 21st century. I can imagine the town has a totally different vibe in the summer, however now the weather has turned there is a lot of people wrapped up warm dashing from one place to the next. Naturally, me being snap happy and dressed completely inappropriate for the weather the locals must have been laughing their heads off at the tourist.
The Rochdale Canal was completed in 1804 and is one of three canals that cross the Pennine hills. This is the only one that doesn’t use tunnels. In addition, it was a broad canal with bridges and locks that allowed boats of 14 feet width to pass through. This lock is named Black Pit Lock and stands on the edge of Hebden Bridge itself. It has an integrated stone arch footbridge that gives access to the town from the towpath. Amazingly bridges were built near the locks as it is the narrowest part of the canal, therefore, less stone was needed and worked out cheaper. Also never thought in my life I would need to know/learn so much about canals.
Of course, after an hours walk, I needed breakfast! I swear I am too scared to stand on the scales right now! Let’s just say some of my clothes are a little tighter then they were three weeks ago! As you are reading this I should have dusted off my gym membership and actually gone, because I can’t add Christmas weight onto my Yorkshire weight!!
