I've passed this curiosity on the hill many times. Today the weather was perfect to send the Mini3Pro up for a closer look.

Those ruins make for a great POI.    Glad you were able to not pass by but get a closer look.  

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-21 03:09
Those ruins make for a great POI.    Glad you were able to not pass by but get a closer look.

It stands out against the skyline from the road below, and I've often thought of checking it out.  Today was the day   Looks like the remains of a shepherds' hut.

Blériot53 Posted at 5-21 03:20
It stands out against the skyline from the road below, and I've often thought of checking it out.  Today was the day   Looks like the remains of a shepherds' hut.

I wondered what it was as it appeared to be too small for most uses.  However, a shepherd's hut seems plausible.  

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-21 04:41
I wondered what it was as it appeared to be too small for most uses.  However, a shepherd's hut seems plausible.

Must have had a heck of a view

Blériot53 Posted at 5-21 05:18
Must have had a heck of a view

No doubt from that vantage point the view was always pleasing.

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-21 05:34
No doubt from that vantage point the view was always pleasing.

On another occasion I may walk up there rather than sending the drone

A real cutie!

Depp Posted at 5-21 07:51
A real cutie!

It's actually accessible on foot, but I took the easy option and let the drone do the work

An intersting piece of agricultural history. Also, I think the background music for this was a perfect choice

HGDC84 Posted at 5-21 08:41
An intersting piece of agricultural history. Also, I think the background music for this was a perfect choice

Thanks mate. I use Eric's musical pieces quite often.  The ruins are no castle, but I'd had my eye on them for a while. The hut must have protected a few shepherds in its time

Blériot53 Posted at 5-21 08:14
It's actually accessible on foot, but I took the easy option and let the drone do the work

Yes, just good to know that you can get there in if you crash.

Depp Posted at 5-21 21:27
Yes, just good to know that you can get there in if you crash.

Don't mention that word

Thats quite the grand Sheppards hut,  keep an eye on it,   it may be an Air BnB in no time.  

Blériot53 Posted at 5-21 06:08
On another occasion I may walk up there rather than sending the drone

That would be an ambitious adventure for sure.  

DAFlys Posted at 5-22 02:22
Thats quite the grand Sheppards hut,  keep an eye on it,   it may be an Air BnB in no time.

An easy do-er upper. Just a bit of weekend DIY
And yet, just a couple of hundred metres up the road is Bennetston Hall, which has been undergoing renovation to be an upmarket hotel for at least 15 years to my knowledge.  It's still a long way from being finished.

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-22 03:30
That would be an ambitious adventure for sure.

Not as difficult as it might sound

Great view!  I'm all about sending the drone up for a look instead of hiking

mikereidphotography Posted at 5-22 09:41
Great view!  I'm all about sending the drone up for a look instead of hiking

Trouble is, it's making me a bit lazy  

Blériot53 Posted at 5-22 08:15
Not as difficult as it might sound

Sounds like you are up for the challenge.    I took the bike out for a 12 mile ride today.  I'm figuring not problem as it is an eBike so if I get too tired I can kick in a little boost.  Oops, helps to leave with a full battery charge.  Also, out of nowhere dark clouds blew in and I got a free "shower" on the return trip.  Now I'm letting the eBike dry out so I want have any issues with the electronic components.   

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-22 12:27
Sounds like you are up for the challenge.    I took the bike out for a 12 mile ride today.  I'm figuring not problem as it is an eBike so if I get too tired I can kick in a little boost.  Oops, helps to leave with a full battery charge.  Also, out of nowhere dark clouds blew in and I got a free "shower" on the return trip.  Now I'm letting the eBike dry out so I want have any issues with the electronic components.

I hadn't considered the implications of getting an eBike wet.  Sorry you didn't make it home before the rain came.  We dashed home as the thunderclouds rolled in. But the rain never came.

Blériot53 Posted at 5-21 09:01
Thanks mate. I use Eric's musical pieces quite often.  The ruins are no castle, but I'd had my eye on them for a while. The hut must have protected a few shepherds in its time

The ruins don't always have to be of a big building to be important.

HGDC84 Posted at 5-22 20:50
The ruins don't always have to be of a big building to be important.

That's true. I'm reminded of a place in Snowdonia (North Wales) that we visited with our kids MANY years ago.
http://www.betws-y-coed.co.uk/at ... he_Ugly_House_.html

Blériot53 Posted at 5-22 21:16
That's true. I'm reminded of a place in Snowdonia (North Wales) that we visited with our kids MANY years ago.
http://www.betws-y-coed.co.uk/attractions/item/67925/Ty_Hyll__The_Ugly_House_.html

Interesting, though I don't think the house is that ugly to earn the name. I've seen way worse ones.

HGDC84 Posted at 5-22 21:20
Interesting, though I don't think the house is that ugly to earn the name. I've seen way worse ones.

It's name is from Welsh folklore.  The story goes, that if you could erect the foundations and a chimney overnight, then you had the right to claim the land and build the house, and the landowner could not object.  Two brothers did just that, by rolling rocks and boulders down the hillside to form the rough layout of a small dwelling. Back in the 15th Century.  It's been a visitor attraction for as long as I can remember.

Blériot53 Posted at 5-22 13:01
I hadn't considered the implications of getting an eBike wet.  Sorry you didn't make it home before the rain came.  We dashed home as the thunderclouds rolled in. But the rain never came.

For the most part all the electronics are enclosed except for the handlebar display.  The rain helped to cool me down as I was sweating in the 32 C heat during the ride.  

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-23 02:29
For the most part all the electronics are enclosed except for the handlebar display.  The rain helped to cool me down as I was sweating in the 32 C heat during the ride.

I don't think we ever see those temperatures in the UK, although we experienced  the mid forties Celsius when living in France.  Too much to deal with.

Blériot53 Posted at 5-23 02:53
I don't think we ever see those temperatures in the UK, although we experienced  the mid forties Celsius when living in France.  Too much to deal with.

Mid 40s is indoor weather with the AC turned on high for me.    Or better yet, go scuba diving to avoid the heat.  

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-23 03:18
Mid 40s is indoor weather with the AC turned on high for me.    Or better yet, go scuba diving to avoid the heat.

Sounds like a good solution

Blériot53 Posted at 5-23 03:22
Sounds like a good solution

It's worked in past.    So the weather guessers are saying 97% chance of rain for the next 3 days.  With those odds they may finally be right.  The morning started off with really dark clouds rolling in and I can hear thunder in the distance.  Could well be a no fly day.  Oh well, time to catch up on indoor tasks.

Blériot53 Posted at 5-22 21:26
It's name is from Welsh folklore.  The story goes, that if you could erect the foundations and a chimney overnight, then you had the right to claim the land and build the house, and the landowner could not object.  Two brothers did just that, by rolling rocks and boulders down the hillside to form the rough layout of a small dwelling. Back in the 15th Century.  It's been a visitor attraction for as long as I can remember.

Now that is an interesting backstory. I do reckon that there could be some legal obstacles to doing that nowadays.

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-23 03:31
It's worked in past.    So the weather guessers are saying 97% chance of rain for the next 3 days.  With those odds they may finally be right.  The morning started off with really dark clouds rolling in and I can hear thunder in the distance.  Could well be a no fly day.  Oh well, time to catch up on indoor tasks.

Today has been pretty good. A good long walk this morning and a flight at the end of it. Update on progress at Toddbrook Dam.

HGDC84 Posted at 5-23 05:22
Now that is an interesting backstory. I do reckon that there could be some legal obstacles to doing that nowadays.

That's for sure

Nice video Roger!

Montfrooij Posted at 5-23 23:54
Nice video Roger!

Thanks Peter. I'd had my eye on that one for a while.  It stands out on the skyline as you drive along the road below.

Blériot53 Posted at 5-23 23:57
Thanks Peter. I'd had my eye on that one for a while.  It stands out on the skyline as you drive along the road below.

You're welcome.
Yes indeed!

Blériot53 Posted at 5-23 08:01
Today has been pretty good. A good long walk this morning and a flight at the end of it. Update on progress at Toddbrook Dam.

Can't beat a good long walk followed by a flight.  As predicted yesterday was a wash out from the rain and no flying.  Weather said we got 38 mm of rain.  Seems like we got a lot more but that is the official rainfall amount.  Today is predicted to be another 95% rain day.

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-24 02:51
Can't beat a good long walk followed by a flight.  As predicted yesterday was a wash out from the rain and no flying.  Weather said we got 38 mm of rain.  Seems like we got a lot more but that is the official rainfall amount.  Today is predicted to be another 95% rain day.

We're doing better than you at the moment, I think. 5 days and no rain ( threatening clouds occasionally but no precipitation)

Blériot53 Posted at 5-24 04:45
We're doing better than you at the moment, I think. 5 days and no rain ( threatening clouds occasionally but no precipitation)

Good to hear and hopefully your nice weather will continue.  3 days of relentless rain is about enough for me.  Today is forecast for only 60% rain so hopefully these storms are finally going to pass on over and depart the area.

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-25 02:54
Good to hear and hopefully your nice weather will continue.  3 days of relentless rain is about enough for me.  Today is forecast for only 60% rain so hopefully these storms are finally going to pass on over and depart the area.

Summer can't be far away, but some days it doesn't feel like it.