Outside and inside

I got chatting to another photographer. She was semi-professional and a lot more 'serious' than I, with a good camera and large lens. We agreed we were both captivated by the old mill buildings. They are gradually being reclaimed and refurbished; there are a lot more areas in use now than when I first visited a few years ago. Then you come across an area like this:

Along with its harmonious colour palette, the glorious jumble of stone, brick, wood, metal and glass, getting overrun with weeds and creepers, really makes my heart sing. Maybe I'm odd in that regard as, no doubt, some would simply see decay here but I love places like this. 

Round the back of the 1912 mill is the old mill pond. I'm not sure whether this was a source of water for the steam power or simply a reservoir, maybe for fire-fighting purposes. It's now well fenced off for safety reasons but to my eyes, again, it brings interest and nature into this rugged industrial site. 

Yarn winding and twisting machinery once filled the floor of the Colonnade (below). Now its beams have been left exposed and it provides a sculptural walkway in what's called Weavers' Yard. 

When you get tired of exploring the outside, there are now all sorts of studios and shops in the different buildings. Record Plant specialises in vinyl and has hundreds of discs to browse and buy. 

In a corner of the former Mending Rooms (where I imagine the burlers and menders used to inspect the finished cloth for snags and imperfections) is a rather lovely shop called Cahm, selling aromatic oils, scented candles and all manner of luxury spa and bath products. It smelled heavenly in there. I don't use candles now though (might set off the smoke alarm in the flat!) and I no longer have a bath, just a shower, so I didn't treat myself.