Flooding In The Don Gorge

Another local walk along the banks of the River Don going to Sprotbrough and beyond. I used both the old railway bridge and the Conisbrough Viaduct to get across the gorge to the other side.

A photograph of another part of the large mural painted on the bridge that I needed to go under on my way to Newton.

As I approached Sprotbrough I spotted the first signs of this week's floods.

I couldn't reach the fish pass because of  the floods; I didn't need to go there though.

This next flooded stretch was blocking my way and I needed to find a way round it by climbing up through the woods.

I still had to wade through a flooded gully though, the water was about a foot deep.

I always like to photograph Steetley Quarry in the sunshine.

I managed some different angles and compositions of Conisbrough Viaduct. The man in the second photograph was doing a training walk, he'd already climbed up and jogged down the hill fourteen times - I think it's about one hundred foot high.

I continued on my way back to the seating area down by the river at Sprotbrough, taking the high level footpath.

Not too far from home, as I was walking through the park at Hexthorpe I noticed that The Dell area was closed due to the floods.

 

More Exploring In The Don Gorge

Another visit to the Don Gorge, not going to anywhere in particular, just going exploring to see what I might find.

The first thing I found was a tunnel, one of several that pass under the railway embankment. I counted twelve of them today, most of them now blocked up at one end, but still allowing access inside. I think a couple of them look as though someone might have recently been living in there.

I also found a path that I'd not walked along before, but it led to a dead-end and so I returned to the main path alongside the river.

There were many interesting side paths to explore, leading into the woods and abandoned quarries...and more tunnels.

I always stop to take photographs at Steetley Quarry.

I walked over Conisbrough Viaduct to get to the other side of the river so as to start my return journey.

I paused for a few minutes at Sprotbrough.

As I approached the Avoiding Line I noticed there was a train waiting at the signal...so I was able to get a good shot of it. Not many trains use this line and it's the first time I've seen one on it there.

My regular route back to the town centre took me through Newton. A lot of cats live there - I managed to frame six in the final photograph.

Attempting To Reach The Caves In The Don Gorge

I took my usual route out to Hexthorpe Flatts park this morning and then continued along the riverside path and across to Warmsworth and the cycleway which goes over Conisbrough Viaduct. 

I ate my sandwiches in Warmsworth Park.

For quite a bit of the way where I'd normally be walking along the old railway line I took a path that went across the fields instead. It was much more pleasant than walking on the tarmac; the path isn't an official right of way though, but is well used.

I didn't cross over the viaduct; I took a short cut that leads onto the road and then walked a few hundred yards in the direction of town and cut down to the Don Gorge by the ruined farm buildings at Butterbusk.

There are a lot of old abandoned and overgrown quarries down in the gorge, with steep climbs, sheer cliffs and some caves of course. There are still a couple of quite large active quarries and Steetley Quarry which was only recently abandoned.

I couldn't make it up to the largest of the caves, or any of the caves in fact. It's a steep climb and it was quite muddy and slippery and the fallen leaves were making it even more difficult to keep grip, especially as I couldn't see where I was putting my feet. I managed to get about half way up - I cautiously slid back down on my backside.

I continued along the riverside path until I reached Sprotbrough. I didn't stay long, the mobile refreshments kiosk doesn't visit there on Tuesdays. 

To finish, I then took my usual route back to the town centre.