A grave, a Roman road and a llama.
Date: 28 June 2012 15:04:44
Diary of an accident victim - Part 59
Time for a cycle ride, June this year has not had much cycling weather. From Marsh I took the road through Outlane carrying on to Pole Moor. It is here, in the graveyard of the now closed Pole Moor Baptist Church that there is my favourite tombstone inscription. It may be that I have a sick sense of humour, see what you think.
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." In affectionate remembrance of John Edward Haigh Nettleton Hill, Longwood He died January 26th 1879 aged 38 years from the effects of an accident at Park Wood Mills, Lockwood. While in the discharge of his duty this stone fell upon him and crushed him. In token of their respect for his faithful service his employers have caused this stone to be set up.
Also Ann wife of the above who died May 12th 1911 aged 70 years. "Gone but not forgotten."
Is this the most macabre tombstone? Whatever it is it shows me to have a dark sense of humour. But ever onwards and ever upwards. I was now following the route of a Roman road, the road has been resurfaced and widened over the years, but it is esentially the same road over the same moors.
That picture was taken about seven miles into my journey, with only one detour to look at the graveyard. It took me one hour, which even taking into account the fact that I cycle single footed due to arthritis is pretty slow.
This is a road you will often see cyclists and bikers on. Two wheeled users love this road, it is so fast. A long straight downhill run that allows high speeds to be got up, even without an engine. Otherwise it is virtually traffic free. Drivers of vehicles with four wheels or more preferring the congested motorway. I'm not complaining. It is probably quieter now than in Roman times, this was once the main road between Chester and York. (Deva and Eboricum.)
The problem with this hill is that I was going the wrong way, uphill, and a head wind. When there is only a light breeze in the valley the winds on the moor top can be strong.
At last I reached the top. The sensible thing to do at this point would be to turn around and take advantage of both gradient and tail wind and go silly fast. I continued down the other side. At one point a kestrel flew at head hight about ten feet in front of me before veering off to take advantage of the updraught ascending the cliff. In bad weather the rain falls upwards here. Sadly no avocets were seen today, their upturned beaks make then easy to recognise. Between here and the dam is a good place to spot avocets. No brakes were necessary to make the sharp turn across the reservoir dam wall. The headwind was preventing any great build up of speed. Finally getting into the village of Denshaw, a sharp left turn saw me heading South towards Delph.
It was on this road I noticed some none indigenous creatures. The sign said it all, Saddleworth Llama Trekking Centre. I was enjoying the joys of downhill cycling, so didn't stop to take a picture. But it does exist, their website gives a good idea of the terrain I was crossing. It isn't flat.
So it was on to Delph, then back home via the A62 another road which is relatively traffic free since the motorway was built.
Round trip 27 miles. Total time 2.5 hours. the last 20 miles being done in 1.5 hours which is a greay improvement on the first seven.