Andy Staples
@barwickian.bsky.social
Writer, rambler, gamer, geek
Gordale Scar. Tolkien's inspiration for Rivendell say some. Helm's Deep, say others. Tolkien himself was silent on the matter.
May 12, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Gordale Scar. Tolkien's inspiration for Rivendell say some. Helm's Deep, say others. Tolkien himself was silent on the matter.
The Badger Stone - one of many hundreds of examples of neolithic or Bronze Age rock art on Ilkley Moor.
May 12, 2025 at 7:37 AM
The Badger Stone - one of many hundreds of examples of neolithic or Bronze Age rock art on Ilkley Moor.
The cold snap continues. Sub-zero temperatures all week. The canal is frozen over.
January 11, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The cold snap continues. Sub-zero temperatures all week. The canal is frozen over.
Ice and fire: as southern California burns, we're in the middle of a cold snap in the Yorkshire Dales.
January 9, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Ice and fire: as southern California burns, we're in the middle of a cold snap in the Yorkshire Dales.
Happy Yorkshire Day, sithee.
August 1, 2024 at 7:33 PM
Happy Yorkshire Day, sithee.
Yesterday's visitor
June 5, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Yesterday's visitor
The Hooded Man is come to #Nottingham...
February 16, 2024 at 1:41 PM
The Hooded Man is come to #Nottingham...
When visiting Nottingham, one must wear suitable attire.
February 15, 2024 at 9:47 PM
When visiting Nottingham, one must wear suitable attire.
Took a break from C&S Sherwood design for a New Year ramble above Airedale yesterday.
January 2, 2024 at 4:55 PM
Took a break from C&S Sherwood design for a New Year ramble above Airedale yesterday.
England's weather is changeable, and the Yorkshire Dales weather even more so. I regularly photograph the view from our kitchen window in different lighting (and seasons).
This morning, a hazy shade of winter: rain, mist in the dale, and a low cloud base.
This morning, a hazy shade of winter: rain, mist in the dale, and a low cloud base.
December 7, 2023 at 10:01 AM
England's weather is changeable, and the Yorkshire Dales weather even more so. I regularly photograph the view from our kitchen window in different lighting (and seasons).
This morning, a hazy shade of winter: rain, mist in the dale, and a low cloud base.
This morning, a hazy shade of winter: rain, mist in the dale, and a low cloud base.
I've been meaning to photograph this barn in morning sunlight for around two years. So of course I wait until its -6°C...
December 2, 2023 at 10:00 AM
I've been meaning to photograph this barn in morning sunlight for around two years. So of course I wait until its -6°C...
Pendle Hill from Ilkley Moor this evening.
November 24, 2023 at 8:53 PM
Pendle Hill from Ilkley Moor this evening.
Spent a long weekend in Northumberland last weekend. Berwick, Holy Island, Bamburgh and Alnwick.
Here's Bamburgh Castle.
Here's Bamburgh Castle.
October 23, 2023 at 7:11 AM
Spent a long weekend in Northumberland last weekend. Berwick, Holy Island, Bamburgh and Alnwick.
Here's Bamburgh Castle.
Here's Bamburgh Castle.
A second view form the north west, showing the gorge of the Peak's Arse (or Peak Cavern, as it was renamed when Queen Victoria visited it).
October 9, 2023 at 6:41 AM
A second view form the north west, showing the gorge of the Peak's Arse (or Peak Cavern, as it was renamed when Queen Victoria visited it).
The Castle of the Peak - Peveril Castle, as English Heritage call it - is one of my all-time favourite castles. It's small and relatively simple. But the location is stunning.
Cavedale - where I took this photo - is where Buttercup pushes Westley down the hill in The Princess Bride.
Cavedale - where I took this photo - is where Buttercup pushes Westley down the hill in The Princess Bride.
October 9, 2023 at 6:39 AM
The Castle of the Peak - Peveril Castle, as English Heritage call it - is one of my all-time favourite castles. It's small and relatively simple. But the location is stunning.
Cavedale - where I took this photo - is where Buttercup pushes Westley down the hill in The Princess Bride.
Cavedale - where I took this photo - is where Buttercup pushes Westley down the hill in The Princess Bride.
If the weather be not permitting, I'm tempted to head to Prince Humperdinck's castle at Haddon Hall.
October 6, 2023 at 5:25 PM
If the weather be not permitting, I'm tempted to head to Prince Humperdinck's castle at Haddon Hall.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, we return to Castleton, the Castle of the Peak and Cavedale for the first time in nearly 20 years.
And from Cavedale to the Fireswamp? As you wish!
And from Cavedale to the Fireswamp? As you wish!
October 6, 2023 at 5:24 PM
Tomorrow, weather permitting, we return to Castleton, the Castle of the Peak and Cavedale for the first time in nearly 20 years.
And from Cavedale to the Fireswamp? As you wish!
And from Cavedale to the Fireswamp? As you wish!
This was my first.
October 5, 2023 at 5:33 PM
This was my first.
A ramble up Sharp Haw yesterday for fan views across Airedale and upper Wharfedale.
Here, Pendle Hill over the Aire Gap from the summit of Sharp Haw.
Here, Pendle Hill over the Aire Gap from the summit of Sharp Haw.
September 24, 2023 at 8:02 AM
A ramble up Sharp Haw yesterday for fan views across Airedale and upper Wharfedale.
Here, Pendle Hill over the Aire Gap from the summit of Sharp Haw.
Here, Pendle Hill over the Aire Gap from the summit of Sharp Haw.