Lydford Gorge in Devon is home to the Whitelady Waterfall (above). Since my last visit, bad weather, heavy flooding, and raging water cutting through the gorge has caused so much damage that what was the middle part of the gorge is now impassable, and the walk that was, has been cut in two. Now two circular walks, one at either end. It is a sight of special scientific interest (SSI) so there is no possibility of machinery getting in there to repair paths etc. It’s a great pity, but inevitable with global warming and heavier rainfall. This mile or so long walk is “Steep, uneven and has slippery paths may prove challenging for visitors” especially ones who wish to carry a tripod and a rucksack with a load of photo gear!
It’s a beautiful spot, nice and cool on a hot day. Looking on the bright side of the changes hereabouts, is that I visited the entrance, tearoom and ticket office at this end for the first time. In past (many) visits, I’ve never climbed up to that spot. There is also a chunk of that walk that I’ve never done before, so it’s not all bad. I shall however miss the walk through the gorge, it’s paths were wet and dodgy at the best of times. It was here when I was about 12 or 13 that I dropped my precious Zenith 11 down onto the stone rocks. From then on it had a small dent on the bottom plate, but continued to function perfectly as if nothing had happened! The old joke was that if you dropped one on your foot, it was likely to be your foot that broke and not the camera!
The attraction at the “other end” is the Devils Cauldron, and in true Wizard of Oz fashion may turnout to be in colour!!
Chatter: Hasselblad 501cm with 80mm Zeiss CFi, Ilford Pan-F Plus developed in D23
S.H.O.U.T. 