A walk around Elsecar

Elsecar: a small South Yorkshire village, rich in the history of mining and transport (canal boat, horse-drawn tram, rail). Also dominated by the paternalistic, exploiting hands of the obscenely wealthy  Fitzwilliam family. More info here:
https://www.elsecar-heritage.com/

Some time ago, Richard had spotted a link to a local history group who run guided walks around the village, and so we signed up for one today. There was a biting wind, occasionally accompanied by flurries of rain. But none of this took the edge of a really entertaining walk, uncovering half-buried tramlines and traces of 18th century mine workings.  It was both good-humoured and - occasionally - slightly shambolic; R commented that 'it was like going for a walk with the Detectorists' (from the BBC series of that name). Endearingly obsessive, with moments of hilarity and distraction.
We finished up with an excellent lunch at the park cafe in Elsecar - a packed and steamy refuge from the cold outside.
Neither of today's images is about the industrial history; my attention was caught instead by the enduring shapes of winter (main) and the lovely first signs of spring.