All the same, all different, part one

The rivers of the south Pennine divide share similar characteristics, they begin in high, rain soaked moorland, places as remote as anywhere in England, before quickly taking on an industrial aspect in the valleys. The River Holme is no exception. These spate rivers have been controlled since the earliest days of the industrial revolution, first as a source of power, then as a supply of drinking water to reservoirs for the burgeoning towns and cities of the north. This is a walk where the upland river meets human occupation.

For sale, one mill

Overgrown path, Hinchliffe Mill

House backs by river, Hincliffe Mill

Snicket steps, or is it a ginnel?

The river bank is full of sluices and culverts from former industrial uses

Last time I walked this way the mill was still in use. All's quiet now

This mill seems to have been extended and modernised in boom times. It's put to artisan use now

The river holds a small and fragile brown trout population, which will become even smaller and more fragile with such fishing tactics

Bridge to cricket club, locked

Art Deco mill by River Holme, sold

Prime building land

Camp site and caravan park, Thongsbridge

New industrial unit

Brownfield meets greenfield. Most of it is houses in waiting.

Demand

As the river has never been navigable, my guess is this was a lavatory

Millstone grit outcrop at Brockholes, with mill backing on to river

Cambridge Corners

Judging by this visit, the place has been adopted by the hen/stag party business in addition to the usual tourist and student crowds.

A rising scent of wisteria

Summer of love, revisited

Carol from Kings?

New doctor, old duck

Punters, wet and dry

Cambridge is George Smiley meets Steven Hawking at Hogwarts. The colleges are immensely wealthy, with all kinds of investments that do not entirely square with their charitable status. For anyone working in or for the universities, it must be fun. For those who don't it must be a surreal experience. At least the architecture is marvellous.