Healey Dell

Healey Dell Nature Reserve is just upstream of a former asbestos factory. Its dramatic gorge is spanned by two viaducts. This one is the tallest at just under 105 feet (32 metres.)

The beauty of the place, which I enjoyed for almost three hours today, is tinged with a sombre aspect. Many people have died from the toxic effects of the asbestos, much of which is still on and under the site. The viaducts were built to carry a rather unsuccessful railway which serviced coal mines in the 19th century. And they are still places from which people fall to their death, as one man did only a few months ago.

I had a tough choce to decide which photograph to use as my blip today. I chose this because of the dizzying upward angle and the colours of the stonework, totally natural and just slightly enhanced in Apple Aperture. The other shortlisted contendors can be seen here.