We began the day with an early morning 'constitutional" up Billinge Hill. This shot is of part of the walk up the hill.
I forgot to take a photo of the little stone building as we got very caught up with reading the graffiti. Almost all of it was carved in the stone and the earliest one we saw was from about 1870 and it has continued through to modern times. Because it's all carved in stone it doesn't appear to deface the building like modern painted graffiti does - in fact it almost seems to add to the character of the building.
The views from Billinge Hill are fantastic. You can see about 10 counties and 4 countries - England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales - on a clear day, that is!
The next journey for the day was a bus ride to Wigan. This took us on the route that Ray used to ride his bike along to get to high school. In those days it was called Billinge and Upholland Secondary Modern. We could see the school from the bus. There was lots of reminiscing along the way. The Orrel Council buildings have not changed since Ray was and apprentice plumber on the council in 1965 - even the workshop itself where he was based is still there.
Wigan has changed so much since the last time Ray was there that he found it barely recognisable, but we did find the park where he and his family used to go for Sunday outings. It was quite a lovely park and is currently undergoing quite a bit of refurbishment as it is now heritage listed.
Then it was back to Billinge for some elbow-bending work and more yarning to the locals.
Hope you have a very happy 60th birthday Ray! Congratulations and love from Terry and Jenny and the gang.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good blogging work Narelle!
Hey guys - Ray says thanks. He is having a ball and will celebrate tonight with his aunt and uncle.
ReplyDeleteThe blog will come and go depending on internet access, but keep checking in every couple of days.
Love N xxx