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The Register — 2022
31 entries, #204 to #234 · transcribed from the notebook
Transcribing 2022 now, which takes some doing, as it were thirty-one shoes — the most of any year before or since. I've no explanation for it and I've not looked for one. It were a strong year and I'll leave it there. The notebook is one of the black ones from the market and the pen held all year, which they don't always. Spring and summer did the heavy lifting; by December it had settled back to normal. It were also the year of that hot spell in July, which the notebook records plainly enough. Barry put three pound into the Heckmondwike Fund in March, which I noted at the front of the notebook and note again here, as contributions should be acknowledged. Number 229 is in this year. The entry says what I were prepared to say about it, and reading it back now I'd not change a word, so I haven't.
#204
8 January 2022 · Right trainer, black
Castle Hill, Almondbury
Right trainer, black, laces in but loose. On the grass bank below the tower, ten yards off the path. Cold morning, ground firm with frost, which made for decent walking. First of the year, and I weren't out looking especially, just up Castle Hill as usual. Flask conditions good, tea kept its heat to the bottom of the cup. Photographs came out well enough for January light. Condition of the trainer fair, some wear at the heel. I left it as it were and came down the Lumb Lane side.
#205
22 January 2022 · Left boot, work sort
Canal towpath by Lock 23E, Slaithwaite
Left boot, the work sort, steel toe by the weight of the look of it. Set on the coping stones by Lock 23E at Slaithwaite. Laces missing altogether. Grey morning, no wind on the water. I sat a short while on the lock beam. A man came past with a dog and asked what I were photographing and I told him, and he said right you are, and went on. Flask were fine. Condition of the boot poor, sole coming away at the toe. Three photographs, all came out.
#206
5 February 2022 · Right trainer, white
Conduit path, Blackmoorfoot Reservoir
Right trainer, white gone to grey, laces tied in a double knot. On the conduit path at Blackmoorfoot, the level stretch that runs toward Deer Hill. Wind coming across the water enough to trouble the flask cup, so I had me tea in the lee of the wall. Sandwich were egg and cress. The trainer had been there a while by the state of the sole. Three photographs, two came out. Blackmoorfoot rarely lets me down and I don't say that lightly.
#207
19 February 2022 · Left shoe, black leather
Layby, A640 near Nont Sarah's, Scammonden
Left shoe, black leather, lace-up, five eyelets, laces in. Layby on the A640 near Nont Sarah's. The storms had been through that week and there were branches down all along the road, but the shoe were sat upright and dry under the wall, which I noted and will leave at that. Wind still strong enough to lean on. I didn't stop long and kept the flask for the car. Condition good, hardly worn. Two photographs from the layby and one from the wall side.
#208
5 March 2022 · Left plimsoll, child's, black
Greenhead Park, Huddersfield
Left plimsoll, child's, black, the elastic sort so no laces to record. Under the bandstand rail at Greenhead Park. Bright cold morning, park busy for the time of year. I waited for a quiet spell before taking me photographs, as you get questions otherwise. Condition good, barely scuffed. Our Linda were with me as we were going on to town after, and she waited on the bench and didn't hurry me, which I'll note here because it's not nothing. Two photographs, both came out.
#209
12 March 2022 · Right boot, brown
Reservoir path, Wessenden
Right boot, brown, laces in and tied. On the reservoir path at Wessenden, below the first dam. Set off at half seven, up from Marsden the usual way. Weather were changeable, sun then hail then sun again, which March does up there. Flask conditions very good. Cheese and pickle. The boot had a winter on it at least, leather gone stiff. I sat with it twenty minutes on the stool, which I'd brought because I had a feeling about it. Photographs grainy, but they suit the subject.
#210
26 March 2022 · Left trainer, grey
Towpath near Shepley Bridge, Mirfield
Left trainer, grey, laces gone. Towpath at Mirfield near Shepley Bridge, on the grass between the path and the water. Mild for March, first proper spring morning of the year, barges out. The trainer were sodden underneath though it hadn't rained in days, which I recorded and will leave at that. Condition fair. Flask fine, one cup by the moorings. A good steady walk back along toward Battyeford after. Four photographs, all came out, which for March is a good return.
#211
2 April 2022 · Right shoe, brown suede
Woodsome Road, below Farnley Tyas
Right shoe, brown suede, lace-up, laces tied. On the verge of Woodsome Road below Farnley Tyas, by the field gate. Cold snap, a dusting of snow on the tops first thing, gone by ten. Suede doesn't last outside and this hadn't, the nap all matted and dark down one side. I photographed it with the gatepost in frame for the record. Condition poor, though the shape were holding. Sandwich in the car after, ham, as Linda were trying summat different. It were fine.
#212
9 April 2022 · Left boot, black
Under the viaduct, Denby Dale
Left boot, black, ankle sort, laces in but undone. Under the viaduct at Denby Dale, against the second pier from the road. Dry morning, cool in the shadow of the arches as you'd expect, pigeons above. I've had good luck on this side of the district since the Layby Pair and I keep half an eye on it now. Condition fair. Flask conditions good, though I drank it stood up as there were nowhere clean to sit. Three photographs, all came out.
#213
18 April 2022 · Right trainer, blue
Dam wall path, Digley Reservoir
Right trainer, blue, laces tied. On the dam wall path at Digley, sat square on the flat of the wall. Easter Monday, so more folk about than I'd usually choose, but the shoe were fresh by the look of it and I'm glad I went when I did. Sunny, with a cold wind off the water. I waited out two family groups before photographing. Flask were right. Condition very good, hardly a mark on it, which is always slightly harder to write up than a worn one.
#214
30 April 2022 · Left brogue, tan
Lane below the mast, Emley
Left brogue, tan, five eyelets, laces gone. On the lane below the mast at Emley, in the long grass at the field side. You can see the mast from all over the district but it's a different thing stood under it. Fine spring morning, larks going. I put the stool up and had a proper stop, sandwiches and both cups of the flask. Cheese and pickle. The brogue had been down a season at least, leather bleached along one side where the sun catches. Five photographs.
#215
7 May 2022 · Right plimsoll, white
Spillway, Butterley Reservoir, Marsden
Right plimsoll, white, the lace sort, laces in. By the spillway at Butterley Reservoir, Marsden, on the stone steps at the side. The spillway is a grand piece of work and I'd have walked up for that alone, so the plimsoll made the morning. Weather warm, light good. Photographs the best of the year so far. Condition of the plimsoll fair, rubber perishing at the toe. Flask conditions good, one cup on the steps and one further up. Home for dinner.
#216
14 May 2022 · Left trainer, black
Crow Nest Park, Dewsbury
Left trainer, black, laces tied. Crow Nest Park, Dewsbury, at the foot of the steps by the museum. Barry rang the Tuesday to report it and I drove over the Saturday to confirm, as only confirmed shoes go in the register. It were where he said, near enough. Barry came along and we had the flask between us on the bench. His photographs have come on a good deal since 2013, though mine went in the file, as is the practice. Warm day, condition of the trainer good.
#217
21 May 2022 · Right boot, brown, weathered
Conduit path, Deer Hill, above Meltham
Right boot, brown, well weathered, one lace gone. On the conduit path at Deer Hill above Meltham. Crackin' morning, clear over to Emley Moor and beyond. Set off at half seven and had the tops to meself till eleven. The boot had done a winter up there, maybe two, sole split across the ball. I sat with it a good half hour on the stool. Flask conditions excellent. Egg and cress. Four photographs of the boot and a fifth of the view, which I don't usually allow, but there it is.
#218
29 May 2022 · Left sandal, child's, brown
Beaumont Park, Huddersfield
Left sandal, child's, brown, buckle sort so no laces to record. Beaumont Park, on the low wall by the bottom path. Warm, park busy. Sandals turn up more as the weather comes on, which I record as a pattern though I draw no conclusions from it. Condition good. I were quick about the photographs on account of the crowds and checked them at home, two of three came out. Our Linda's cousin Marjorie were visiting that weekend so I were back by twelve.
#219
4 June 2022 · Left boot, black
Pule Hill, off the A62, Marsden
Left boot, black, laces in and tied to the top eyelet. Pule Hill, on the path up from the A62 side. Jubilee weekend, bunting all through Marsden as I came up. Weather fair with a stiff breeze on the top. The boot were set against a gritstone slab, upright, and I noted that and nowt more. I sat a while and had the flask looking down toward Redbrook Reservoir. Conditions good. Condition of the boot fair, uppers sound, heel worn to one side. Photographs a bit grainy, which suits.
#220
11 June 2022 · Right trainer, white
Ginnel off Knowl Road, Golcar
Right trainer, white, laces gone. In the ginnel off Knowl Road, Golcar, halfway down where the setts start. Ginnels do produce, I've found, though they're awkward for photography, being narrow and dark even in June. Overcast, mild. Condition poor, tongue missing an' all. A woman came out of her back gate while I were crouched down and I explained meself, and she said she'd wondered how long it would be before somebody dealt with that shoe. I didn't deal with it. You can't interfere. But I didn't go into all that.
#221
18 June 2022 · Left shoe, navy canvas
Ramsden Reservoir, above Holmbridge
Left shoe, canvas sort, navy, laces frayed but present. Ramsden Reservoir above Holmbridge, on the path along the plantation side. Warm and still, midges out early. Flask conditions good, though tea is less of a draw in June, I'll be honest, and I only had the one cup. Cheese and pickle. The shoe sat toe-out toward the water. Condition poor, canvas gone green along the seams. Five photographs, four came out. A grand corner of the district and I don't get up there enough.
#222
25 June 2022 · Right shoe, black, smart
All Saints churchyard, Batley
Right shoe, black, the smart sort, laces tied. Churchyard at All Saints, Batley, on the flat of a table tomb near the path. Churchyards want care and I were respectful about it, photographing from the path only and keeping me visit short. Dry, warm. Condition very good, polished not long since by the look of the toe. That's all I'll record on it. Drove back the Heckmondwike way with an eye out, as I always have since the folder opened, but there were nowt.
#223
2 July 2022 · Left trainer, grey
Bridleway under the M62, Scammonden
Left trainer, grey, lace in on one side only. On the bridleway under the M62 bridge at Scammonden, where the path passes beneath the carriageway. The bridge is a remarkable thing from underneath and the traffic above makes a steady noise you soon stop noticing. The trainer were against the east abutment. Dry day, cooler under the span. Condition fair. I had the stool and sat longer than the shoe strictly warranted, but the spot invites it. Flask conditions good. Four photographs, two of the shoe and two of the underside of the bridge for context.
#224
9 July 2022 · Right boot, tan
Tunnel End, Marsden
Right boot, tan, laces missing. On the wall by the canal at Tunnel End, Marsden, where the towpath comes up to the visitor centre. Fine warm morning, plenty of folk about. The tunnel mouth were doing its usual cold breath, which you can feel ten yards off. The boot were upright on the coping, facing the tunnel, and I recorded that and nowt more about it. Condition fair, salt marks on the leather. I had the flask further along toward Sparth where it's quieter. Photographs good.
#225
19 July 2022 · Left slip-on, brown
Canal towpath, Milnsbridge
Left slip-on, brown, no laces to record. Canal towpath at Milnsbridge, near the bridge at Morley Lane. Hottest day I've known in this district or any other, they said forty degrees and I'd believe it. I went early and were back by ten, and even then the heat were coming up off the towpath. The flask stayed in the bag, which is the first time I can remember that. The shoe were dry as a crisp, curled at the toe. Two photographs, quick ones, both came out. Not a morning for sitting.
#226
30 July 2022 · Right trainer, red
Track out of Holme village
Right trainer, red, laces tied. On the track out of Holme village toward the Digley side, by the second stile. Warm, hazy over Black Hill. Red is less common than you'd think — most of what I find is black, white or brown, and I keep a rough tally at the back of the notebook. Condition good. Flask conditions fair, tea slightly stewed as I'd let it stand since half seven. Egg and cress. Five photographs, all came out, one very well.
#227
6 August 2022 · Left boot, black, work sort
Recreation ground, Norristhorpe
Left boot, black, work sort, laces undone. On the recreation ground at Norristhorpe, near the goalposts. An ordinary find and I record it as such, though the area being what it is I checked it carefully against the folder before writing it in. It weren't owt to do with all that. Dry, warm, the grass parched from the summer. Condition fair. Barry met me there, it being his side of the district, and we had a sit and said little, which is how we both like it.
#228
20 August 2022 · Right shoe, brown
Brownhill Reservoir, near Holmbridge
Right shoe, brown, lace-up, laces present and knotted. Brownhill Reservoir near Holmbridge, on the bank below the road. Overcast at last after the dry weeks, the water very low, old walls showing that are usually under. The shoe were above the old waterline, so I make nowt of that. Condition poor, stitching gone along the welt. Flask conditions good. Cheese and pickle. I walked the circuit round toward Ramsden after and found nowt else, which is usual and fine.
#229
4 September 2022 · Child's boot, right, red leather, small
Near Hade Edge, Holmfirth
Right boot, child's. Red leather, small. On the verge of the moor road above Hade Edge, upright in the grass, laces done partway. Still morning, the first cool of autumn, mist in the valley bottom burning off by nine. I sat with it a long while, longer than I've sat with any shoe before or since. Flask were right. I had the sandwiches in the car after, not there. I didn't touch it and I didn't move it. You can't interfere. Photographs came out clear, which I were glad of. It's one I come back to in my mind occasionally. I'll not write more than that.
#230
24 September 2022 · Left trainer, grey
Towpath below Hoyle House Mill, Linthwaite
Left trainer, grey, laces gone. Towpath at Linthwaite, below the locks by Hoyle House Mill. First properly wet morning in months and the towpath glad of it, everything smelling of rain. Hood up, camera kept under the coat between photographs. The trainer were half under the bridge so it had kept dry, which made for a better record than the conditions deserved. Condition fair. Flask conditions good, tea welcome again after the summer. Three photographs, two came out.
#231
8 October 2022 · Right boot, black
Honley Old Wood
Right boot, black, ankle sort, laces in. Honley Old Wood, on the main path down toward Mag Brook. Autumn proper now, beech leaves coming down steady, and I had to clear a few off the boot before photographing, which I count as tidying the record, not interfering. Grey morning, still. Condition fair, leather sound but the sole letting go at the heel. I put the stool up and had the flask among the trees. Conditions good. A quiet, steady sort of find.
#232
22 October 2022 · Left trainer, white
Track off New Hey Road, Outlane
Left trainer, white gone grey, laces tied. On the track off New Hey Road at Outlane, heading up toward the golf course. Blowy, rain on and off, the kind of day where you take your photographs between showers and don't linger. Condition poor, upper split at the little toe side. Flask conditions fair only, as I'd not screwed the cup down proper and lost some heat, which were my own fault and I note it as such. Two photographs, both came out. Home by half eleven and glad of it.
#233
12 November 2022 · Right boot, brown
Moor path to Cupwith Reservoir, above Slaithwaite
Right boot, brown, laces missing. On the moor path up to Cupwith Reservoir above Slaithwaite. Cold and clear, the light low and long the way November does it, which is good for photographs if you get the angle right. The boot had weathered a full season, leather cracked across the toe. I sat ten minutes, no more, as the stool stays home this time of year and the wall were damp. Flask conditions very good. Cheese and pickle. Last of the moor finds for the year, as it turned out.
#234
10 December 2022 · Left shoe, black
Ginnel off Westgate, Almondbury
Left shoe, black, lace-up, laces frozen stiff, which is a first for the register. Ginnel off Westgate, Almondbury, on the step of a bricked-up doorway. Hard frost, everything white till ten. I'd been up Castle Hill first, as I like to get a December walk in up there, and found this on the way back down through the village. Condition fair under the frost. Flask conditions excellent, the best of the year, which December often is. Three photographs, all came out. That closed 2022. Thirty-one. A strong year.