Jonathan Dodds
LightNews LightNews
banner
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Jonathan Dodds
@sloopjohnd.bsky.social
79 followers 55 following 120 posts
Wandering journo with a camera for a sidekick. Usually found in the Peak District far from the madding crowd. Travel and trance addict.
Posts Replies Media Videos
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
June 8, 2025 at 7:55 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Bosley Cloud was certainly living up to its name today #hiking #walking
June 8, 2025 at 7:54 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Another foray into Staffordshire for #PeakDistrict Ethel #23. While not the highest at 385m, the views from Gun summit were glorious despite leaden skies. Thankfully the weather improved for the return to Leek, via Tittesworth Reservoir and the Churnet Way.

#photography #hiking #walking
The Roaches and Hen Cloud in the distance. The final few metres to the Gun summit. The ‘plug hole’ overflow at Tittesworth Reservoir. A bizarre-looking tree seeming to defy the laws of physics.
May 30, 2025 at 7:22 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
An easy one for #fingerpostfriday that’s probably one of the most famous in the #PeakDistrict.
May 23, 2025 at 9:19 AM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
More #PeakDistrict scenes.
Dust rising from the Tunstead cement works near Buxton. Two hares frolicking in the meadow on the northern edge of Sough Top, near Taddington. The Sough Top trig point, pictured from the footpath just south of the summit. The trig point itself sits on private land. Sheep and lambs grazing in a field near Taddington Wood.
May 20, 2025 at 10:54 AM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
A few pictures from yesterday while exploring Monsal Dale and the Monsal Trail, followed by a climb up to Sough Top to bag another trig/Ethel double.

#PeakDistrict #walking #photography
The Monsal Dale weir on the River Wye. Headstone Viaduct on the Monsal Trail, pictured from the Monsal Head viewpoint. Inside Cressbrook Tunnel on the Monsal Trail. What are ewe looking at! A sheep and four lambs looking very unhappy by my presence.
May 20, 2025 at 10:48 AM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Drink in this view from Monsal Head, one the best the Peak District has to offer.

#walking #outdoors #peakdistrict
May 19, 2025 at 6:31 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Pavement poetry #manchester
May 16, 2025 at 11:21 AM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Crossings Paths: where byway meets bridleway on the side of Eccles Pike in Chapel-en-le-Frith.

#walking #photography #outdoors
May 12, 2025 at 1:21 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Hidden in plain sight, a Trans Pennine Trail milepost in #Stockport town centre highlighting National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 62. Walked past many times without ever realising what it signified.

#walking #getoutside
A Trans Pennine Trail milestone marker on Great Underbank in Stockport opposite the HSBC bank. Butterflies are painted on the brick wall behind it.
May 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
You wait ages to find a stile with character and then two come along at once. Both spotted at Lyme Park #StileSaturday
May 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
I love a stroll through Elmerhurst Wood at Lyme Park, especially at this time of year when the bluebells are in full bloom.

#bluebells #outdoors #photography
Bluebells carpeting the woodland floor at Elmerhurst Wood in Lyme Park, Disley.
May 8, 2025 at 7:42 AM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Two more Ethels bagged (21 and counting!) The route from Chinley to Strines included Eccles Pike and Black Hill, plus pit stops in Whaley Bridge and Lyme Park.

#outdoors #photography #walking
Combs Reservoir from the summit of Eccles Pike. The topograph on the summit of Eccles Pike.
May 7, 2025 at 6:50 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
I enjoyed a mindful moment in Etherow Country Park's woodlands this morning, surrounded by birdsong and the wind's gentle whistle. The bluebells carpeting the floor were a delight to see.

#walking #outdoors #photography
April 26, 2025 at 9:34 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Back out on the #trigs trail yesterday in the Manifold Valley. Wetton Low and Ecton Hill are #10 and #11 on my list of Peak District trigs and the latter also doubles as an Ethel. Linked up nicely with the Manifold Way and Thor’s Cave.

#walking #getoutside #photography
The view from the Ecton Hill trig point in the Staffordshire Moorlands. A fingerpost pointing the way to Thor’s Cave. Ducklings on the River Manifold. Another Peak District trig point ticked off.
April 25, 2025 at 3:34 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Two more trigs in the bag today…

Wetton Low ✅
Ecton Hill ✅

#walking #peakdistrict
April 24, 2025 at 6:37 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
The results of an afternoon spent exploring the area around Standedge Tunnel, Britain’s longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel.

#photography #getoutside
April 23, 2025 at 7:35 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Been a fair while since I had the chance to bag a Peak District trig. This one today on Black Edge has the bonus of a glorious moorland ridge walk around the edge of Combs Moss with some pretty stunning views to boot.

#walking #outdoors
It was a little bit breezy on the top! Today’s starting point Chapel-en-le-Frith from the ridge at Short Edge. The trig point at Black Edge. Hogshaw Brook flows through Flint Clough.
April 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Colourful wall mural near the entrance to Stockport Exchange

#art #streetart #streetphotography
March 30, 2025 at 8:28 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Wow, today was certainly a bit blowy! A late change of plans so an impromptu rail trail between Chapel-en-le-Frith and Middlewood had to do. At least it was dry and sunny, and Combs Reservoir was giving off mega Costa del Sol vibes. Perhaps it should be nicknamed Costa del Combs.

#walking #outdoors
Pointing the way towards Combs Reservoir from the direction of Chapel-en-le-Frith. Costa del Combs, aka Combs Reservoir. Looking back towards Combs Reservoir on the footpath to Horwich End and Whaley Bridge. The Peak Forest Canal at New Mills Marina, with the Swizzels sweet factory in the background.
March 30, 2025 at 4:19 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
An interesting spin on #streetart along Chestergate in #Stockport

#art #streetphotography
March 1, 2025 at 6:37 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Felt good to top up the Vitamin D tank today. High Lane to Whaley Bridge via the Macclesfield Canal, Lyme Park and Sponds Hill. Pretty quiet on the tops but some cracking views #walking #peakdistrict
February 22, 2025 at 7:39 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
A nice bit of roadside street art in Bugsworth
February 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
Another relaxing Sunday stroll - with bridges, boats and a bohemian cafe on a bus! Plus a first sign of spring, even if the weather is showing none of it just yet 🥶

#photography #walking
February 9, 2025 at 3:25 PM
sloopjohnd.bsky.social
A chilly one today on the hills above Marple and New Mills. Hardly a soul about #walking #photography
February 2, 2025 at 7:14 PM