Scenic Steps

05/01/2026

Didn’t expect to be walking a goat today… but here we are 😅

We headed out to Esholt this morning — just a short wander past the old sewage works and into the woods. Only a few minutes in, there it was — a goat, stood right on the path in front of us like it was waiting for someone to show up.

I recognised where it had come from, so I walked it back through the gates and tethered it safely to a post. Didn’t want to go any further in — there were guard dogs barking from inside the grounds, and I wasn’t about to test their friendliness.
My wife had hold of Roxy while I sorted the goat — so no, I wasn’t juggling leads like a Yorkshire Dr Doolittle 😅
(Video’s already up on the page if you fancy a laugh.)

There was a light dusting of snow too — not the proper stuff, just that polystyrene-flake kind that floats about and makes everything feel still.
Heavy snow’s forecast for the end of the week, and I’m definitely looking forward to that one.

🏭 A Bit of Esholt History

- The Esholt Sewage Works opened in 1910, built to treat Bradford’s industrial waste — especially from the wool trade. It once had its own 22-mile railway system to move sludge and materials across the site.
- The site also includes Esholt Hall, a Grade II listed building dating back to the 17th century, now part of the Yorkshire Water estate.
- Though much of the works is now disused or redeveloped, you can still spot remnants of the old infrastructure along the canal and woodland edges.

🌳 Esholt Woods

- The woods here are part of a patchwork of ancient woodland, including Spring Wood and Jerrison Wood, with trails that weave through old mill routes and natural springs.
- The area is rich in wildlife — deer, owls, woodpeckers — and the village itself is known for being the original filming location of Emmerdale (the old Commercial Inn was the Woolpack on-screen).

A peaceful wander with a surreal twist.
Let me know what you’ve all been up to today — and if you’ve ever had to walk a goat mid-hike, I’d love to hear about it 🤣

05/01/2026

It's not everyday you get to walk a goat 🐐

You never know what you are going to come across when you are out in nature

05/01/2026

I forgot I had this video from one of my 13 in 12 months yorkshire 3 peaks hikes, when I recorded this it was foggy too which made visibility even worse I couldn't see 2ft in front with me at some points even with my super bright head torch 😳

04/01/2026

No Sunday recap today — but something even better 👇

From now on, when I’ve been out on a wild camp or car camp, Sundays will be blog days instead of the usual weekly recap.
Today’s post is all about my walk around Kielder Water on the 29th of December — a proper adventure with Roxy, a sky full of stars, a frozen can of Coke, and a few unexpected moments along the way (including a close call with another dog on the trail).

I’ve been working on the video too — loads of footage to go through, but not had much time to sit with it properly yet. Not sure how much I’ll use, but I’ll get there 💪

The blog’s not a long read, but it’s full of the little moments that made the trip what it was.
If you fancy a brew and a bit of stillness, it’s there waiting for you.

I’m also planning to do one wild or car camp each month this year — so there’ll be plenty more of these to come.
Can’t wait to see where the next one takes us.

📸 Let me know what you think — and as always, feel free to share what you’ve been up to this week in the comments. I love seeing your photos and hearing about your own walks and wanders.

Photos are in the blog I can't add them to this post

Following

03/01/2026

No walk today — just a full-on one behind the scenes 💻

Truth be told, I’ve been sat at the laptop since dinner time.
I’ve never built a website before, and I can’t afford to pay someone to design it — so I thought I’d give it my best shot. And to be quite honest… I think it’s coming along nicely.

Still loads to do. Haven’t added many more products just yet — been focusing on making it more mobile-friendly and easier to navigate.
If you get a minute, have a scroll through and let me know what you think. Feedback’s always welcome, especially while I’m still shaping it.

www.scenicsteps.co.uk

Since I didn’t get out today, I’m sharing some of my favourite photos from 2025 — the ones that stuck with me, made me pause, or reminded me why I started all this in the first place.

Hope you’ve all had a brilliant day.
Let me know what you’ve been up to in the comments — and feel free to drop any photos you’ve taken today while out on your own travels. Always love seeing what you’re capturing.

03/01/2026

Just added 2 more digital prints to my website 😀

www.scenicsteps.co.uk

Explore mapped clarity and emotional resonance through nature photography, digital downloads, and legacy walks. Scenic Steps offers sponsor-safe images, motivational overlays, and family warmth from Yorkshire terrain.

03/01/2026

Good morning everyone, sending out the strength and power energy to you all 💪🔥🙏 Scenic Steps 2026

02/01/2026

Short one today — but still a good one ❄️

Just a quick wander along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal this morning. No woods, no hills — just frozen towpaths, crisp air, and that proper winter stillness that makes you slow down whether you want to or not.

Parts of the canal were iced over, and after a good five minutes of patience, I finally managed to get a shot of a cormorant — it kept diving every time I got close. Also spotted a swan family: two adults and two younger ones. They came in close, but weren’t too keen on Roxy… made that very clear with a bit of hissing 🤣 She took it well. Little legs had fun, as always.

Sometimes it’s not about the distance or the drama — just getting out, breathing it in, and seeing what shows up.

🛶 A Bit of Canal History
The stretch between Thackley and Dockfield is more than just a peaceful path — it’s part of a story that goes back over 200 years.
Built between 1770 and 1816, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal was a vital trade route connecting Yorkshire’s mills to the port of Liverpool. This section once echoed with the sound of horse-drawn barges carrying coal, wool, and limestone.

You’ll still spot the old stonework, mooring rings, and bridges like Idle Swing Bridge and Thackley Canal Bridge — reminders of the canal’s industrial past. Now it’s a corridor for walkers, cyclists, and wildlife… and the occasional swan showdown.

Hope you’ve all had a brilliant day.
Feel free to drop any photos you’ve taken today while out on your own travels — always love seeing what you’re capturing.

02/01/2026

🐾 Honest Post – Need Advice About Our Pup forest 🐾

This one’s tough to write, but I need some honest advice.

Forest is a lovely dog—full of energy, affection, and potential—but we’re really struggling with his behaviour around our other animals, especially the cats. We were told he was a Border Collie x Spaniel, but he’s actually a lurcher, and that prey drive is proving to be a serious issue. ( my wife was fooled by very convincing people )

He wasn’t chipped, vaccinated, or even the age we were told when we got him, so we’ve been playing catch-up from the start. We’ve tried everything—treat-based training, redirection, stimulation, toys—but nothing’s working. The chasing and aggression toward the cats hasn’t improved, and it’s not fair on them or on Forest.

Another thing we’ve noticed since day one: he screams or yelps loudly whenever he’s moved or touched unexpectedly. It’s not pain-related as far as we can tell—he’s just incredibly sensitive. We’ve read that some lurchers can be quite dramatic or reactive like this, especially if they’ve had a rough start, but it’s still quite intense and hard to manage.

We don’t want to give up on him. He’s not a bad dog—just possibly in the wrong environment. But we’re torn. We love him, but we also have to think about the safety and wellbeing of our three cats and Roxy.

So I’m asking: has anyone dealt with this before? Any tips for managing or redirecting prey drive in lurchers or similar breeds? Or for helping a dog who reacts this way to touch and movement? Is there a method we’ve missed?

And if the kindest thing is to find him a more suitable home—one without small animals—we’re open to that too. We just want what’s best for him.

Thanks for reading. Any advice, support, or experience would mean a lot right now.

01/01/2026

I got over 550 reactions on one of my posts last week! Thanks everyone for your support! 🎉