Leekfrith
Hen Cloud in the background
My website: Deep Mono Photography
The remains of the farmhouse at Roachend Farm in the Peak District.
The Roaches (from the French les roches - the rocks) is a prominent rocky ridge above Leek and Tittesworth Reservoir in the Peak District of England. The ridge with its rock formations rises steeply to 505 m (1,657 ft).
Along with Ramshaw Rocks and Hen Cloud they form a gritstone escarpment, which is popular with hikers, rock climbers and freerunners. It is often very busy especially at weekends.
The Roaches Estate which includes Hen Cloud was purchased by the Peak District National Park Authority in the 1980s to safeguard the area from adverse development. From May 2013 Staffordshire Wildlife Trust took on the management of the Roaches Estate.
In clear conditions, it is possible to see much of Cheshire and views stretching as far as Snowdon in Wales and Winter Hill in Lancashire.
The Roaches are the most prominent part of a curving ridge which extends for several miles from Hen Cloud in the south to Back Forest and Hangingstone in the northwest. At the top there is a small pool called Doxey Pool that is, according to legend, inhabited by a water spirit. Nearby are the broad hills of Gun and Morridge. Wikipedia
*"Most wild wallabies are in this country thanks to Capt Courtney Brocklehurst, a Staffordshire landowner, who was killed in the Second World War. After his death, war regulations decreed the disposal of his private zoo at Roaches House, near Buxton, and five red-necked wallabies were released into the countryside. By the 1960s, numbers had risen to 50. And, although sightings are still reported today, numbers have dwindled due to road kills, dogs, foxes and disturbance." Mow your grass with a wallaby
Although I've never personally seen a wild wallaby in the area as they have probably all died out by now, there is a stuffed wallaby from the area on display in The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery*
In my opinion, a perfect summer scene from the Staffordshire Peak District. I love the way the warm evening light makes the sandstone of the barn...
My website: Deep Mono Photography
The barn is now only used as a shelter for the sheep that roam about these fields.
My website: Deep Mono Photography
The Roaches in the Peak District.
After what seems like an age since I took my last photograph it was nice to get back out into the landscape this week. Demonstrating leading lines...
A rare (very rare indeed) mono landscape image from me. About 40% of my street images end up black and white but I hardly ever convert my countryside...
Summer
My website: Deep Mono Photography
Roachend Farm commands stunning views over the Peak District countryside. It's a shame that there is no-one there to enjoy them.
For a change I headed out without tripods, filters and a hat full of lenses, and went to a familiar spot for half an hour to see what I could come...
Thanks to all Phoide contributors to Leekfrith!
Most notably Alan Taylor, Graham Morris and Richard Down.