Winter Snow at The Roaches
A landscape photography blog by Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire based landscape photographer Rob Thorley Photography.
Although we’re still in the (hopefully) dying throws of lockdown three I was at the point where I needed to blow the cobwebs away, so a quick trip up to The Roaches in the Staffordshire Peak District was in order. I already knew that the morning was a bust before I went to bed, but I was getting up, and out regardless. The forecast was for a dusting of snow overnight, clearing to a cold, crisp, and sunny morning. As every landscape photographer knows, that’s not the recipe for an epic sunrise.
As you’d expect for lockdown, and pre-sunrise the roads were empty. I was pleased to see that the gritters had been out, and they were far better than I’d expected given the weather we’d had in recent days. There was no snow on the main roads, and it wasn’t until I passed Hen Cloud that I got to where the gritters hadn’t. What I was less pleased about was the temperature when I arrived, as it was a chilly -5c! To be fair I was well wrapped up, and there was no breeze to speak of. With my bacon, and cheese sandwiches, and a flask of coffee it was still very pleasant.
I have to admit I felt a bit guilty about this trip. I think this was probably more to do with the fact that there were no other cars, and I was the only person out. That mindset, and a clear sky morning meant that I didn’t stay long. I debated on going up top, and walking along to the trig point, but I was back in the car for 08:30, and heading home to Stoke.
Definitely one of those days where my expectations didn’t match reality.
You can view more images from The Roaches, and my gallery of other Peak District locations.
