Spooky wood

Mist and snow covering the path heading up the Roaches

Winter Monument

The Monument in the center of Leek with a covering of snow.

Snowy road part 2

Yet another example of the roads up in the hills at this time of year.

Snowy road part 1

Some of the driving conditions that have to be over come to take pictures at this time of year

Happy Christmas.

Happy Christmas to all my readers and it's my 300th post on the Leek blog! A festive shot of Leek for this special day and a number of buildings that i have captured before.
The imposing dome in the centre belongs to the award winning Nicholson Institute a building that could have a whole weeks worth of photo devoted to it.

To it's left there are 2 towers, the first with the clock is on the Butter market over looking the market place, the second is on the old fire station. Right below the dome, seemingly squeezed between 2 larger buildings is the old Angel inn although looks are deceptive as the lager cream building is across the way from the inn and used to be the old Woolworths.

Just down from this building are the impressive chimneys and black and white wood work on the buildings over looking the junction of St Edwards street and Broad street. The last building of note is down near the left hand corner and is the one with the pink chimney which houses one of Leeks vet practices.

Last chance shop

Only one day to go and here's a hint to remind that its your last chance to shop today before the big day.

This is a shot of Leek's largest branch of the Co-op.

Walk this way

A Sign post pointing the way on to the Roaches.

Monday morning

This is the view i got yesterday while out taking shots for this blog on the Roaches, if you look hard enough you can see Tittesworth reservoir to the right of the picture in the distance.

Queen street

We have snow! Here is a shot of Queen street in Leek showing the all to familiar sight of clear main roads and very slippy side roads.

Leek and the Roaches

Leek, or at least a part of it, from Ladderedge country park. Right in the centre is St Edwards church, to the left of it is the chimney and buildings of Wellington street mill and just to the Left of that the white building is the Wellington pub (its the white building). Just above that is the roof of the old Maud institute. Over looking the whole thing is the Roaches.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO MAKE IT BIGGER!

remember 2

Another shot from last months remembrance celebrations.

The Roaches, Leek

Sunrise just highlighting all the major outcrops that form the Roaches.

Tinsdills, Leek

No 10 Derby street, just next door to Home and Colonial, another great example of the buildings along Leek's main street.

Should his antidote mount a stumbling soup?
Ignore that last bit it is being posted for a site check.

Santa's here!

Santa arriving at Rudyard lake last Saturday.

Rudyard railway track

A very wet walk down the side of Rudyard lake following the route of the old railway.

Home and Colonial

One of Leek's more unique shops on Derby street, Home and Colonial.

Room with a view

When a former hospital in magnificent Staffordshire parkland was being redeveloped, the builders were faced with what they regarded as a massive problem - what to do with something that looked like a folly and reached skyward like, well, a colossal sore thumb.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/property/article-1226381/Right-time-liquidate-assets-Couple-sell-Victorian-water-tower-157-steps-unique-family-home.html#ixzz0ZHh4jwWd

The Coffee Clique

Still looking for that great Christmas gift?

Getliffe's Yard has an excellent range of independent shops perfect for the Christmas season.

GRAYSH stocks a fabulous range of retro merchandise from Elvis to The Mighty Boosh, and many special offers on stocking fillers.

NOUVEAU RICHE boasts an exquiste range of beautiful and unusual jewellery and accessories ideal for gifts and for that special Christmas do.

BIBILOT's wonderful vintage inspired kitchenware, homeware, toys and gifts and natural beauty products including Lily Lolo make-up will inspire even the most tentative Christmas shopper.

GLITZ is Leek's excusive vendor of Bomb cosmetics and also has a wide range of baby gifts and glitzy bits! DELIGHT is Leek's number one supplier of the very popular Yankee Candles.

THE ACADEMY have hair-dressers and nail techs at your service and offer a loyalty scheme whilst THE WORKS is offering spray tanning for only £12 !!! and has a full hair & beauty and extensive therapy range to get you looking great for the party season. And talking of parties BLUE MOON CELEBRATIONS has everything you need to make your party the talk of the town, from invitations, themes and decor right through to fancy dress and mini gifts.

Once you have finished your Christmas shopping you can put your feet up with one of our delicious winter warmer speciality coffees at The Coffee Clique. Also a great place to see 2 or 3 of my images hanging on the wall.

Happy shopping :)

All around the Wrekin

All around the Wrekin is a common term for going the long way around. The Wrekin is perhaps Shropshire’s best known landmark, a curious legendary hill that, from this way it looks like a mountain, and that way, it crouches low. From the top you can see fifteen counties. This is the view from above Leek looking nearly 40 miles to it.

Continental market.

Night time shot of the Continental market held in November, a great idea and great to see so many people in the town having a good time.

High road 2

Frost covered road "up in the hills"

Before the dawn

A Pre-dawn shot looking over towards the chemical works in Leek from the hills above.

The high road

This shot is taken just across the road from the Mermaid pool, from the little pull in that you can use to park in to visit the pool. It must be one of the highest roads in the area and can be close quite often during the winter.

mermaid frost

The Mermaid pool again this time from the other side and 1/4 of an hour after the last shot.

On your bike

After the canal drained all sorts of things appeared in the mud.

Mermaid ice

The Mermaid pool taken just under 2 hours ago, i've just about warmed up.