Encroachment

Stumbled across a "forgotten crossing" on the transpenine trail on this morning's run.
Whilst of no photographic merit, I find it interesting to see how nature is claiming back it's territory.
Most of the wooden gate has long rotted away and the steel hinges are not far behind. But the more robust iron work is absorbed in to the Silver birch.
As far as I can find out, this was an old farm crossing, and yet the iron work seems very ornate.
Or, our forebears had a lot of pride in their work.........