Canal Capers

After taking these images along the canal this morning I couldn't decide which was the best so decided to include them all.

Astbury Golf course





Under 'snaily' bridge




The Wharfe appartments

Sunday Snow

Today the Sunday before Christmas we had snow and then the sun came out. Quickly I donned boots and armed with my camera I set off for the 5 minute walk to Astbury Mere , where I caught '4 swans a swimming'. Other 3 out of sight!

Then on my return home I spotted that my neighbours had created a new Man U supporter!

Wonder of the World

This year we had a pre-Christmas family get-together as Graham will be on holiday in South America. He is visiting a friend in Chili and then going on to walk part of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru. Sophia was presented with a light up globe to see where he was going.

A church at Cheadle

On a recent visit to Cheadle Staffs, we had a mission to visit the Roman catholic church of St Giles. Our first glimse was the 200 feet high spire which dominates the small market town. The interior of the church is not beautiful but very rich in colour and design. Built in 1846 with the generosity of the 16th Earl of Shrewsbury living in nearby Alton towers, it was designed by Pugin with no expense spared. I hope the images will inspire you to go and see for yourself, but go armed with £1 coins to operate the lights!

On a cold day there were lots of nice teashops and a small indoor market in the town.

Also an interesting reclamation yard nearby which warrants another visit to this area for photographic opportunity.

www.lesoakes.com

More Fireworks

Last Saturday I attended an event in Congleton Town Hall 'Young Artists of the Year', as my granddaughter Victoria had an entry submitted from her school. We were very proud when her painting of the theme of 'Fireworks' was chosen as winner in her age group. In fact both grandmothers disgraced themselves by cheering!

This is the 11th year of this competition organised and sponsored by Dane Rotary Club, Siemens and Weavercraft at the Victoria Mill Arts (VMA) centre.

Bonfire Bonanza

Congleton Park bonfire organised by Rotary and Lions club seemed so much bigger than I remembered it from when I last attended 7 years ago. My eldest son Jamie and his friend looked after me. I love the parent role-reversal now - worth all those years of 'toil'!

The atmosphere was great and the rain kept away enabling me to try out the firework setting on my camera.

Guy Fawkes bungling meets Chinese brilliance!

Lakes Train Trip

Having purchased my first rail 'rover' ticket for the North west I set off to ride the Cumbrian coast line via Manchester, Barrow in Furness to St Bees for a couple of nights. I don't think it had changed much since we set off from here to do parts of the 'coast to coast' walk 20 years ago. For those who need a 'sea' fix I've included a video as the tide was in and waves were crashing.

The second day I travelled back to Ravenglass for a ride on the little train up Eskdale to Dalegarth, where I pottered around sheltering in St Catherine's church during a rainy period and then exploring the valley up to Stanley Force.

The next 2 days I met up with a friend in Cockermouth and our activities ranged from tracking down a marble altar from a local POW camp, a very blustery walk along Maryport prom, and a picnic on the shore of lonely Crummock Water.











The final leg of my journey was riding the Carlisle / Settle line and home via Leeds and Manchester. All in all I got my money's worth from my 4 day rail ticket.

Alderley Edge

Last Friday our U3A Photo Group had an outing to local National Trust Woodland at Alderley Edge. We had chosen a wonderful day for the light was perfect and we all learned a lot from each other as we snapped away and compared photos - such is the wonder of digital cameras. Instant gratification. Our lunch together after the walk at The Wizard pub too was very sociable.

Biddulph Old Hall

Recently I attended a meeting of the Congleton Historical Society. The talk was on the restoration of Biddulph Old Hall which is only a few miles outside Congleton but in Staffordshire. A few years ago I had been to a similar talk by the Biddulph History Society and I was interested in any recent developments. I had always vaguely known that the Biddulph's at the hall , a strongly Catholic and Royalist household, had been beseiged by Cromwell and his merry band of Roundheads during the Civil war. Then in 2005 had seen the part restoration on TV.

With great enthusiasm the current owners Nigel Daley and Brian Vowles have been grant aided and the hunting tower although still scaffolded is now safe and they are planning to raise further funds to restore the interior. As well as reading and viewing rooms they want to develop a prayer room which hopefully will be consecrated by both the Roman Catholic and Protestant faiths, which can be accessed by the general public.

They have also undertaken extensive family history research and found some very interesting and almost breath-taking connections. A book has been commissioned so watch this space.

Japanese Garden

Last week I attended a lecture on the restoration of the Japanese Garden at Tatton Park (Knutsford) by head gardener Sam Youd. After an entertaining and informative illustrated talk in the Mansion house we were given an 'inside' tour of the garden and island area. As the day was sunny the light filtered through the trees making it a photographer's paradise. I also had booked in for the lunch held in the adjacent room to the restaurant where there was further time to chat about our garden experience. A memorable day.

Sutton's Sundial

Last weekend I went over to North Notts to visit Sutton in Ashfield - my birthplace and where I spent the formative years of my life, escaping when I was 20 to pastures new. Now going back to visit friends and relatives is a pleasure as I feel the pull of my roots in that area. However I always enjoy returning home to my Cheshire home.





A few years ago the authorities decided to erect the largest sundial in the world in the centre of the town. There were instructions on how to read the time but these have long gone. I still remember a friend overhearing a resident explain the time was ' Five minutes past Firths', this being the newsagents adjacent to the structure. Such is the drole humour of my home town!

Delamere Delights

Last week Lorraine and I had chosen the best day weather wise to walk in Delamere Forest. When I bought the walking guide from the Linmere visitor centre, the countryside ranger recommended the climb up 'Old Pale' to the new sculpture on the hill. The views were superb out to Liverpool and the welsh hills. Up there the new standing stones were hewn out of rock from the 6 counties to be seen on a clear day as this. Then a new path spiralled to the central stone of Cheshire sandstone. It seemed to be a sacred magical place.

I do recommend buying the map costing £2 as it has all the paths and numbered posts so it is relatively easy to negotiate the forest with it's myriad of walks.

As well as the visitor centre cafe there is also a cafe at the Delamere station building.

The Go Ape assault course is a source of interest but no-one was playing this day.

Prague - City of Dreams

Last weekend Elaine and I experienced 3 wonderful days of sunshine in Prague. The vistas of the city architecture were magical with shimmering green domes and spires looking down on a myriad of terracotta roof tiles. Our own independent tour included a city bus ride, a night at the opera, a midday classical concert, an evening dinner river cruise, as well as wandering on foot through the medieval alleys and up to the castle fortress area. Other highlights included stumbling on a terraced Italian Baroque garden, a huge grey rock sculpture wall and the memorial to John Lennon in the form of a graffiti wall.

We found the Czech people very pleasant and helpful especially the young.

This is the stuff that dreams are make of!

Mount Pleasant Gardens

Recently I went with the Sunday Garden Group to Mount Pleasant Gardens near Kelsall. This garden set on a hillside with lots of hidden corners is ideal for the sculpture exhibition displaying work by local artists, which seems to be an annual event at this time of year. Again we were lucky with the weather and could enjoy refreshments al fresco. What I love about this garden is that there are seats tucked away everywhere. The Japanese garden is spectacular.

Make up your own caption for the Meerkats. Mine is "Did you hear the one about ........"

Ludlow Food and Drink Festival

Last Friday I went on a 'jolly' with U3A to the Ludlow Food and Drink festival. We were all very impressed by the event held in the castle grounds of this lovely town, especially as the weather remained warm and sunny all day. I was amused that we indulged in a hog roast bap listening to a debate on 'Carnivores versus Vegetarians'. Other memorable tastings were sloe gin, elderflower flavoured icecream and 'fuffles' which was a combination of fudge and truffles (sweet variety!).

Morning Glory

Every morning weather permitting I indulge in a cup of filter coffee in my garden shelter. But first I have to pass the fence with my 'Morning Glory' annuals to inspect the day's offerings. For the 'latinists' these are Ipomoea purpurea belonging to the Convolvulaceae family and for the non-gardeners the flowers only last for a day. I've only once ever bought seeds several years ago and for ever after they manage to self-seed themselves. The are dark purple (Star of Yalta), white (Milky way) and mauve (Grandpa Otis). Well today I noticed 2 new hybrids with colours pink and dark pink - was I excited. I think my friend had bought them in a packet and they hadn't done well for her. So the moral of this story is to leave everything to mother nature!

A Day out in Derby

Today I travelled by train to Derby to put a few ghosts to rest!

In the square these giant ghosts from Derby's heritage were being paraded and I was amused to wonder what the conversation would have been between wealthy Bess of Hardwick and Florence Nightingale - they were 3 centuries apart. They had been built by young people for the Arts Festival this weekend.

I found the cathedral very light and airy with beautiful yellow and blue stained glass windows. There was no sign of the Peregrine falcons having nested on a ledge of the tower but I did find a lovely contempletive garden behind the cathedral teashop.

The art gallery has a room devoted to Derby's famous painter Joseph Wright of the 18 century, but it was littered with musicians practicing for an evening concert today.

A visit to the magnificent shopping centre 'Westfields' has to wait for another visit as I was far too tired for any retail therapy.

The ghosts of Derby past were vanquished today as I found everyone so friendly and helpful.

Abbeys and Anniverseries

Bank holiday Monday Graham (over from Bristol ) and I had a walk near Leek after lunch at the Rudyard Hotel. We did a 4 mile circular amble from The Abbey pub, resting on Ray's seat by Tony's memorial gate, then over the hill to take in The Roaches and Tittesworth reservoir view, down to Southhillswood farm and back via the lovely unofficial River Churnet path with views over to the Abbey Farm. In days of yore this used to be the site of a Cistercion abbey called De La Croix or Dieulacres but all that remains today are the raised banks by the river, but it is said that some of stone was used to build local farmhouses and some to build Astbury church.

This image was taken 5 years ago as I haven't been able to climb over the iron farm gate at the end of the walk since. Happily this time I was able to roll over it no problem -back excercises must be working!

Our day ended with an invitation to Allison and Simon's home for a Carribean style meal to celebrate their 10th Wedding Anniversary. We sat out on their deck with fruit punch (no rum this time!) until the rains descended once more.

Adventure in the Maize Maze

Today I took Victoria and Sophia to the Maize Maze at Brereton Heath. This is an annual event for us and this year the paths took the shape of a tractor, which you would only be able to see from the air! So having donned wellies, armed with the flag and ...........the map, the intrepid explorers set off - perhaps never to be seen again. I never know how people do it without a map but I think they run round until they find the exit by chance. I even traced the route beforehand having no spatial awareness once in the maze. We found all the quiz posts but as usual some of questions were hard like ' Do brown hens lay brown eggs!' Last year it was on Butterflies and we could answer a lot of questions. There is always a lot of cameraderie around and we helped a couple of people with our map and rescued a 9 year old girl on her own. Afterwards we had fun on the play stuff and I got to do some action photography.

An Organic Garden

Today I went with my gardening chums to Pete Woollam's organic vegetable and fruit garden at the back of Alderley Edge. The weather forecast was not good as we were on the tail end of Hurricane Bill but as one of our members said "It will be an adventure!" Fortunately the afternoon stayed dry and 9 of us browsed and sampled this wonderful plotof land. There were lots of edible unusual plants that we had never heard of - like huckleberries and wine berries. And lots of grassy paths to explore with hidden corners - all mingled with a profusion of flowers to attract beneficial insects. No harmful chemicals are needed in this garden.

Pete is talking to a gate-crasher as we are a group of all women!

Anderton Boat Lift

Yesterday a friend and I had a day out at Anderton country park near Northwich. In the morning we had a short walk in the extensive country park, trying not to get lost as we were booked onto the 12.30pm boat. The first part of the trip was in the boat lift which was a very ingenious system to lower and raise boats in big bath tubs from the upper Trent and Mersey canal to the lower River Weaver. You needed a bit of an engineering degree to understand the mechanisms involved but the commentary made it sound easy. Originally it was developed to transport coal, pottery and salt in the good old days, but after the restoration in 2002 it is now used for leisure transport. Then we had a 30 minute cruise up the river to Northwich and back.

Details can be found at http://www.andertonboatlift.co.uk/

All these trips out makes me feel like I'm on holiday at home!

The Roaches

Today I completed this year's challenge for myself by climbing the rocky outcrop of The Roaches beyond Leek. The lake in the distance is Tittesworth reservoir.

Along the ridge is the lovely little Doxey Pool.

I have a better video of view but need time to work out how to remove this one!

Swettenham walks

Yesterday my friend and I had lunch at the Swettenham Arms followed by a pleasant stroll round The Quinta arboretum. We had fun watching 'fashion shows' as weddings were taking place both in the Church and the pub. The lavendar field is used a a backdrop for the photographs. Today it was in it's purple glory and heavenly fragrance. We were amused to see that the plastic pathways between the plants were being used as tramways for the young children to run up and down (makes a change from the dance floor!).

A few weeks earlier and after what seemed like an eternity of rain, I had a morning walk from Brereton Heath Park car park along the Swettenham bridleway - a very favourite walk of mine.

It was comforting to feel the warmth of the sun as I dropped down to what must be the best bit of the lower River Dane valley as it meanders across the Cheshire plain. I've introduced many of my walking friends to this area but this day I was solo enjoying my own thoughts.

My mid morning hot chocolate was taken on a nice seat in the secluded churchyard, where one gravestone has always intrigued me -

Tim Barton

Beloved and Wayward Son of

Brenda and Jim

Died 30 June 2001

Aged 51 years

Also Brenda died 2007

Aged 89 years

This day the lavender field was humming with thousands of bees.

Rudyard Reminiscences

This morning was sunny so rising early I set off for the Rudyard lake walk (5 - 6 miles). I parked at the north end of the lake and did the hilly bit first. As I walked and being on my own I started reminiscing to myself. This was where we (or rather Tony) had a brief spell sailing an 'Enterprise' in 1968 when Allison was a baby. But my memories went back further to when I was a teenager and my Dad took me on cycling tours and we stayed at Rudyard Youth Hostel which looks like a mock castle and now a private residence. A few years ago when on an historical walk I learned that this area used to be golf course and greens can still be seen if you know where to look. I have taken many friends here and last year I captured these images.

Banksy would be proud of this one!

My half way break at the south end of the lake was spent watching various craft on the water. And remembering in later years when roles were reversed and I drove Dad here to go cruising on the old tugboat.

The miniature steam train runs most of the length of the lake and the track ran from Leek to join the Manchester main line. My grandchildren love to ride it at Christmas when Santa and his dog wave from a boat on the lake.

Bristol and Banksy

I've just been for a couple of nights down to Bristol on the train to see my younger son Graham in his new home. He has been successful in getting a lectureship at the University of the West of England.

On our day out together in the city we had hoped to see the Banksy exhibition in the Museum and Art Gallery however there was a 3 hour waiting queue so I had to be satisfied in taking a photo of an image on the side of a house and buying the book.

Although it rained we had a good time taking in the cathedral, floating harbour area and lunch at a 'Boston Teaparty' cafe. I felt very cosmopolitan in this trendy city.

Reckless Rocky Ramble

Last week with a couple of like-minded chums I had a day out in Derbyshire. Our destination was to find Bronze age rock carvings on the rocks behind The Druid Inn at Birchover. As I used to camp nearby with the family in the early 1980's I was appointed 'tour guide'.

After a splendid lunch at The Druid and armed with sticks and cameras we scrambled up to the extensive millstone grit outcrops, where I discovered that half a pint of 'Druid ale' cured my vertigo! We discovered lots of carved steps and seats but the ancient carvings were elusive even with photos and directions from the website

www.stone-circles.org.uk/stone/rowtor.htm

Then after an amble to nearby down town Winster with it's Market Hall owned by the NT, no visit to Derbyshire would be complete without a browse in Brierlow book store (see previous post Jan I think) . We limited ourselves to 30 mins so we could fit in tea at Longnor before heading home.

Yes folks it was another action-packed day out for 3 ladies of an uncertain age.

Art in the Garden

Inspired by last blog and taking many photos of unusual bikes whilst on holiday, I thought it was about time I got my own art installation in my garden. This old bike was kindly donated by a friend's son and my decorator recently gave it a spray. I've yet to give it a title?

Art in the Park

This 'Lamb-banana' was on display yesterday at the Garden Festival in Congleton Park. This photo was taken before in true British summer weather it poured with rain - but the band played on! I had seen these installations in Liverpool last year when Graham and I had a trip to see the Klimt exhibition at The Tate. One in particular caught my eye in St Georges Hall chamber as it was lit with stars. I think they were the 'scouse' humour to genetic engineering! Originally I thought them a bit silly but they are growing on me.

Lichfield

Yesterday I had an away day planned travelling by train to Lichfield as I had booked into an organ recital during the annual arts and music festival. I had always wanted to visit the cathedral dedicated to one of the Celtic saints - St Chad. The journey was interesting and problem free. Parking at Kidsgrove station, it was just under an hour on the comfortable London Midland train to Lichfield Trent Valley, then a connecting train to Lichfield city station.

The organist was Robert Quinney - he was only 33 years and suborganist at Westminster Abbey. The acoustics in the great cathedral were magnificent and it was a delight to see his hands and feet on the CCTV monitors. I felt it was a priviledge to be there.

During the day I had time to walk round the lovely Stowe pool to St Chad's Church and see the well that had been mentioned at the one by Chadkirk near Stockport - see earlier posting, as well as various art and photographic exhibitions before it was time to head for home.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

On Sunday I had booked to go with the Sunday Garden Group to Birmingham Botanical Gardens. My friends and I were very impressed with the lay-out and variety of interesting areas for all family members. After a fairly stress free bus trip along the M6 we emerged through the hot glass houses to a terrace overlooking the bandstand, where we succumbed to a cup of tea before the tour. That afternoon the Birmingham City Brass band played almost continually and it was a delight to hear the music in the background as we strolled in the sunshine.

The Cloud

Last Saturday morning I had an impulse for a bilberry pie. So with boots and rucksack I headed for our nearest moorland 'The Cloud'. For those not familiar this is Congleton's dominant landmark - a 1000 foot hill (in old money!). The climb to the summit is well worth the effort as you can see for miles and on a clear day even the cathedrals of Liverpool are visible if you know where to look. I took this photo a few years ago when I walked on a regular basis with my good friend Ray. His family were most amused as I captioned it 'Gulliver surveys his kingdom'.







I was also reminded of this poem I wrote during a workshop led by John Lindley who was a Cheshire poet laureate a few years ago.

'CLOUD' SENSATIONS

The dark gritstone hill looks kindly down

On my homely country town.

From rocky slopes and summit cairn

It welcomes, never dominates my return.

As I ascend and breathe the resinous pine

The glorious twelfth fires forth, a purple sign

of things to come. I long for bilberry tart

But sprinkled icing warms my wintry heart.

Another association is that part of my Dad's ashes are scattered in this area as it was one of his favourite walks when he holidayed with us in Cheshire.

And yes the bilberry and apple pie was lovely!

Graham's Graduation

This week I was a very proud Mum as it was Graham's Graduation at Manchester University. He is now Doctor of Philosophy and can officially use his title of Dr Graham Squires. However we shall still call him 'Gray'! His PhD was a 3 year study of the regeneration of housing communities in Manchester and he graduated from the School of Environment and Development.

After all this hard work he has been successful in getting a lectureship at the University of the West of England (EWE) in Bristol. So he is now in pastures new down south. I am looking forward to visiting him in August. It's a good excuse for another train journey.

A visit to Chadkirk

Last week on a free day I decided to get my train 'fix' with a visit to Chadkirk on an estate situated north east of Stockport in the lovely Goyt valley. I had heard of this church dedicated to St Chad, a celtic saint who was a missionary in this area in 7th century, from my connections with the Community of Aidan and Hilda. I 'railed' from Congleton to Manchester and then on to Romiley. It was only a short walk down a steep hill to the church and walled garden backed by woods. A wonderfully peaceful place to commune with one's maker. The walks were interesting with lots of interpretive boards about the cotton industy in the past. To find out more visit the website at www.chadkirkchapel.org.uk

Congleton Food and Drink Festival

The Steel Tempo band was playing in the middle of the town during Congleton Food and Drink Festival on Sunday. Their music brought back memories of my daughter's wedding on Barbados 10 years ago in 1999.