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.

North Wales

A few weekends ago I stayed with my friend in her static caravan on North Wales coast.

We had 3 glorious days of sunshine with lovely gentle walking, including Newborough Sands on Anglesey, the mountain at the back of the site and on the Great Orme at Llandudno. After attending a piano recital by Freddy Kempf at the theatre we were treated to a most spectacular sunset on the way back via Conway - and I had my camera in my bag!