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.