Friday 16th July 2010
If you never see another blog from us it is because we have gone to the bottom of the Irish Sea!!
Gale force winds, high seas and lashing rain....... only 2 hours and 12 minutes to go............
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Lakes District and the Cumbrian Mountains
Wednesday 14th July 2010
If you've already had enough of my obsession with drystone walls then I suggest you log off now! It's about to get a whole lot worse...........
Today we planned to visit the Lakes District and although it was a very miserable morning, we stuck to the plan. Today was our last opportunity to go there and I have been tole how spectacular it is soooo many times, that I couldn't take the chance of missing something.
We had about an hour and a half drive on pretty much all freeway to get to our starting point, but the nearer we got to Cumbria, the more drystone walls we saw separating paddocks (fields). Unfortunately even after we got off the freeway there was nowhere to stop to have a closer look and take pictures (is that a collective sigh of relief I can hear? - yeah well - I'm not finished yet!)
We began at Windemere, which is the largest of all the lakes. We had to drive into to the village a little way to park and walk back to the Information Centre.
There were drystone walls everywhere, but not just the ones that pass for fences or borders, but entire buildings!!! Pubs, churches - you name it! Fabulous!!! This is the front door to a private home - it was very quaint and a good example of many of the buildings in the village.
This garden wall just stuck me as being quite pretty..... the top section is obviously new.
There is charming parkland at the edge of the lake and lots of ducks geese and swans. Ray bought food for them and became the "pied piper of waterbirds".
We elected to take a 40 minute cruise around Lake Windemere on the Miss Cumbrian IV.
If you've already had enough of my obsession with drystone walls then I suggest you log off now! It's about to get a whole lot worse...........
Today we planned to visit the Lakes District and although it was a very miserable morning, we stuck to the plan. Today was our last opportunity to go there and I have been tole how spectacular it is soooo many times, that I couldn't take the chance of missing something.
We had about an hour and a half drive on pretty much all freeway to get to our starting point, but the nearer we got to Cumbria, the more drystone walls we saw separating paddocks (fields). Unfortunately even after we got off the freeway there was nowhere to stop to have a closer look and take pictures (is that a collective sigh of relief I can hear? - yeah well - I'm not finished yet!)
We began at Windemere, which is the largest of all the lakes. We had to drive into to the village a little way to park and walk back to the Information Centre.
There were drystone walls everywhere, but not just the ones that pass for fences or borders, but entire buildings!!! Pubs, churches - you name it! Fabulous!!! This is the front door to a private home - it was very quaint and a good example of many of the buildings in the village.
This garden wall just stuck me as being quite pretty..... the top section is obviously new.
There is charming parkland at the edge of the lake and lots of ducks geese and swans. Ray bought food for them and became the "pied piper of waterbirds".
We elected to take a 40 minute cruise around Lake Windemere on the Miss Cumbrian IV.
There was a great deal to see. All very beautiful. The more southerly land around the lake is very steep and heavily forested, but as you go toward the north it is more gently sloping and grassy, with some stunning and no doubt very expensive real estate. This 'temple' below belongs to a private dwelling.
There are untold number of sailing boats moored everywhere. There were a couple of them out on the water and we couldn't help but compare to the kind of sailing here to that you would do on Sydney Harbour. So peaceful here.....
View to the south from the boat.
I was almost as taken with the boathouses as I was with the drystone - almost - but not quite. They are quite fascinating though as there seems to be no boat ramp, you simply steer your boat in and lock it up - like a garage!
We left Windemere via the car ferry across and drove towards Keswick. Saw some more of mother nature's wonders, dotted with mankind's additions, along the way. These small rapids were at Grassmere which is where William Wordsworth wrote much of his poetry. We had already passed through Beatrix Potter country.
As I desperately needed to visit the "little girl's room" we stopped at this pub. It was very nice and guess what? - the lower portion to the right of the arched doorway is......... you got it! - drystone.
The big surprise in this pub though, was actually the "little girls' room". Obviously a recent addition (more likely than a renovation it deserved to have it's photo taken.
We kept on towards Keswick with a one or two (or maybe more) photo stops on the way.
And yet more drystone walls with mountain backdrops!
If you squint hard you can see a waterfall running down between these hills. The weather is actually unusually dry here at the moment, in spite of today's weather (some areas, quite near here, even have 'hosepipe' bans in place), so we wished we could have seen this after a good rain.
We headed back to Billinge through torrential rain, grateful that it had held off long enough for a wonderful day out.
There are untold number of sailing boats moored everywhere. There were a couple of them out on the water and we couldn't help but compare to the kind of sailing here to that you would do on Sydney Harbour. So peaceful here.....
View to the south from the boat.
I was almost as taken with the boathouses as I was with the drystone - almost - but not quite. They are quite fascinating though as there seems to be no boat ramp, you simply steer your boat in and lock it up - like a garage!
We left Windemere via the car ferry across and drove towards Keswick. Saw some more of mother nature's wonders, dotted with mankind's additions, along the way. These small rapids were at Grassmere which is where William Wordsworth wrote much of his poetry. We had already passed through Beatrix Potter country.
As I desperately needed to visit the "little girl's room" we stopped at this pub. It was very nice and guess what? - the lower portion to the right of the arched doorway is......... you got it! - drystone.
The big surprise in this pub though, was actually the "little girls' room". Obviously a recent addition (more likely than a renovation it deserved to have it's photo taken.
We kept on towards Keswick with a one or two (or maybe more) photo stops on the way.
And yet more drystone walls with mountain backdrops!
If you squint hard you can see a waterfall running down between these hills. The weather is actually unusually dry here at the moment, in spite of today's weather (some areas, quite near here, even have 'hosepipe' bans in place), so we wished we could have seen this after a good rain.
We headed back to Billinge through torrential rain, grateful that it had held off long enough for a wonderful day out.Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Happy 60th Birthday Ray
Tuesday 13th July 2010
Ray went off for his morning walk before our trip to Blackpool and received a phone call from my Mum and Dad while he was gone - they were hoping to wish him a Happy Birthday.
While we were driving to Blackpool the phone rang and it was Jai and Taj (our grandsons - and their mum Nikki of course) singing Happy Birthday all the way from Australia.
He had also received a posting via this blog from my brother Terry and his wife Jenny, so although we are a long way away he has not been forgotten.
Here's Ray partaking of his first pint as a 60 year old. He doesn't look too happy about it does he?
This is Ray with his Auntie June and Uncle Brian, who came to have dinner with us and celebrate his birthday. Their daughter Pauline (Ray's cousin - obviously) actually went to the trouble of posting a birthday card to him C/- The Stork Hotel
This is John and Jean (the publicans) and Auntie June with Ray.
John and Jean and their son Ian went to a great deal of trouble to make Ray's birthday great! They decorated the dining room......... I had to get Ray out of the bar while they did.........
Jean cooked a lovely dinner for the four of us. Dessert too! And they provided a cake - complete with candles. We didn't ask for any of the extras, just asked if he could fulfil his wish to have dinner in The Stork. Ian even put an electronic Happy 60th message on their electronic message board thingy (very technical stuff). They have been the most wonderful hosts - nothing has been too much trouble for them and their efforts tonight were way above and beyond. There was a fabulous trio in for some entertainment too. All in all a great night.
This is Ray's final 60th birthday pint with an old childhood friend.
Just as I was about to publish this blog a message come in from my sister Louise and her family wishing "Uncle Gray" a Happy Birthday. He's not going to get that message until morning as he wouldn't stir right now if a bomb went off!
Ray went off for his morning walk before our trip to Blackpool and received a phone call from my Mum and Dad while he was gone - they were hoping to wish him a Happy Birthday.
While we were driving to Blackpool the phone rang and it was Jai and Taj (our grandsons - and their mum Nikki of course) singing Happy Birthday all the way from Australia.
He had also received a posting via this blog from my brother Terry and his wife Jenny, so although we are a long way away he has not been forgotten.
Here's Ray partaking of his first pint as a 60 year old. He doesn't look too happy about it does he?
This is Ray with his Auntie June and Uncle Brian, who came to have dinner with us and celebrate his birthday. Their daughter Pauline (Ray's cousin - obviously) actually went to the trouble of posting a birthday card to him C/- The Stork Hotel
This is John and Jean (the publicans) and Auntie June with Ray.
John and Jean and their son Ian went to a great deal of trouble to make Ray's birthday great! They decorated the dining room......... I had to get Ray out of the bar while they did.........
Jean cooked a lovely dinner for the four of us. Dessert too! And they provided a cake - complete with candles. We didn't ask for any of the extras, just asked if he could fulfil his wish to have dinner in The Stork. Ian even put an electronic Happy 60th message on their electronic message board thingy (very technical stuff). They have been the most wonderful hosts - nothing has been too much trouble for them and their efforts tonight were way above and beyond. There was a fabulous trio in for some entertainment too. All in all a great night.
This is Ray's final 60th birthday pint with an old childhood friend.
Just as I was about to publish this blog a message come in from my sister Louise and her family wishing "Uncle Gray" a Happy Birthday. He's not going to get that message until morning as he wouldn't stir right now if a bomb went off!
Tuesday 13th July 2010
Ray started the day with another nostalgic walk around Billinge. This photo is of the "blue hills" - sounds lovely doesn't it. He used to ride his bike over the "blue hills" when he was a lad. He says there were fresh bike tracks up there, so I guess boys in Billinge haven't changed much.
In actual fact the "blue hills" are slag heaps left over from the coal mines!
We set out for Blackpool soon after Ray returned from his walk. Blackpool is a very big seaside resort. We began our Blackpool experience with a pony and trap ride. Ray fed the pony a carrot after the ride was over.
There are two things Blackpool is particularly famous for - one is the tower (below). It's quite amazing. There is an aquarium, and 3D cinema, games arcades, a restaurant, a clown museum, heaven only knows what else and a magnificent ballroom (photos are lousy due to the lighting- so not included here).
Ray started the day with another nostalgic walk around Billinge. This photo is of the "blue hills" - sounds lovely doesn't it. He used to ride his bike over the "blue hills" when he was a lad. He says there were fresh bike tracks up there, so I guess boys in Billinge haven't changed much.
In actual fact the "blue hills" are slag heaps left over from the coal mines!
We set out for Blackpool soon after Ray returned from his walk. Blackpool is a very big seaside resort. We began our Blackpool experience with a pony and trap ride. Ray fed the pony a carrot after the ride was over.
There are two things Blackpool is particularly famous for - one is the tower (below). It's quite amazing. There is an aquarium, and 3D cinema, games arcades, a restaurant, a clown museum, heaven only knows what else and a magnificent ballroom (photos are lousy due to the lighting- so not included here).The ballroom is very ornate and has an organ that rises up from below the stage. The organist was playing and people were dancing - ballroom dancing. It was very enjoyable to sit and watch while we had morning tea.
Blackpool is miles of fun arcades and fortune tellers. It's all a bit crass for me and way too busy. I can't think of anywhere in Australia that even comes close. Coral Island (as just one example of many of the fun arcades) covers and entire city block!!
The second thing Blackpool is famous for is it's "Illuminations". There are very ornate lights strung up across the road for miles. I can imagine that it would look fabulous at night. You are probably best off to Google it to get any kind of proper idea of how it looks. In the pic below the larger lights at either side are probably mermaids (I can't remember which ones I took photos of), with smaller lights in patterns strung the whole width of the road.
I mixed up the order of the photos a bit, but this is from up the top of the tower. It's called the "Walk of Faith". A glass section of floor looking straight down to the road from a height of 518 feet.
Blackpool has three piers. All with games arcades and so forth. This is a view of a portion of one of them and some of the city from the tower.
Blackpool is miles of fun arcades and fortune tellers. It's all a bit crass for me and way too busy. I can't think of anywhere in Australia that even comes close. Coral Island (as just one example of many of the fun arcades) covers and entire city block!!
The second thing Blackpool is famous for is it's "Illuminations". There are very ornate lights strung up across the road for miles. I can imagine that it would look fabulous at night. You are probably best off to Google it to get any kind of proper idea of how it looks. In the pic below the larger lights at either side are probably mermaids (I can't remember which ones I took photos of), with smaller lights in patterns strung the whole width of the road.
I mixed up the order of the photos a bit, but this is from up the top of the tower. It's called the "Walk of Faith". A glass section of floor looking straight down to the road from a height of 518 feet.
Blackpool has three piers. All with games arcades and so forth. This is a view of a portion of one of them and some of the city from the tower.
I can't say Blackpool has been a highlight of the trip thus far, but being so close it was one of those things you just had to do. It wasn't a very pleasant day either so we decided to take a chance on waiting to put our feet in the Irish Sea when we go to Ireland at the end of the week.
Back to Billinge and the Stork Hotel for a bit of a rest before celebrating Ray's 60th.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Monday 12th July, 2010
We began the day with an early morning 'constitutional" up Billinge Hill. This shot is of part of the walk up the hill.
There is a beacon on top of the hill. In the old days there would be a lookout in beacons on a series of hilltops from the coast going inland and when any threats were seen coming - like the Spanish Armada - a fire would be lit on a beacon as a warning of a potential threat. The next lookout along would see the fire and know to light one himself to alert the next one along and so on.
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!
We walked through some beautiful woods and countryside before going back to the hotel. 
We then went to Wigan Pier - this wasn't in existence in Ray's time, but he knew about it. It was originally developed by George Orwell (of "1984" and "Animal Farm" fame). At the time the locals saw it as a joke. Wigan is not on the ocean, or even a river, but is on a canal. Apparently it was reasonably successful as a tourist attraction for a while, but is no longer in operation.
After we caught the bus back to Billinge, we went for a drive to Windy Arbour where Ray was actually born in a gypsy caravan on a farm. His grandparents (Winstanely) lived on the farm. the house is gone now. We drove around the area some more tracing other former family homes and some Heywoods in the churchyard at Downhall Green. The final drive was a wide loop around the the outer reaches of Billinge and back into town - I can't believe little boys used to ride bikes and ramble such distances. No wonder his mother says he was "never a bit of trouble". He would never have been home!!
We began the day with an early morning 'constitutional" up Billinge Hill. This shot is of part of the walk up the hill.
There is a beacon on top of the hill. In the old days there would be a lookout in beacons on a series of hilltops from the coast going inland and when any threats were seen coming - like the Spanish Armada - a fire would be lit on a beacon as a warning of a potential threat. The next lookout along would see the fire and know to light one himself to alert the next one along and so on.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!
We walked through some beautiful woods and countryside before going back to the hotel.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.
We then went to Wigan Pier - this wasn't in existence in Ray's time, but he knew about it. It was originally developed by George Orwell (of "1984" and "Animal Farm" fame). At the time the locals saw it as a joke. Wigan is not on the ocean, or even a river, but is on a canal. Apparently it was reasonably successful as a tourist attraction for a while, but is no longer in operation.
After we caught the bus back to Billinge, we went for a drive to Windy Arbour where Ray was actually born in a gypsy caravan on a farm. His grandparents (Winstanely) lived on the farm. the house is gone now. We drove around the area some more tracing other former family homes and some Heywoods in the churchyard at Downhall Green. The final drive was a wide loop around the the outer reaches of Billinge and back into town - I can't believe little boys used to ride bikes and ramble such distances. No wonder his mother says he was "never a bit of trouble". He would never have been home!!Then it was back to Billinge for some elbow-bending work and more yarning to the locals.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
BILLINGE
Sunday 11th July
We woke up in Scarborough to a cold howling wind, but it didn't really matter because today was the day we were going to Billinge.
The drive was scheduled to take about two and a half hours and turned out to be motorway pretty much the entire trip.
The motorway we came on for much of the trip (M62 if you really need to know), is the highest motorway in the UK. 1221 feet at it's highest. It crosses the Pennines Mountains. The wind was quite strong in a couple of places, scarily so and worse than anything I have ever encountered in Australia.
Anyway, we made it to Billinge and Ray gave me a running commentary of all the things we passed on the way in. Fishing in that lake......stealing fruit from an orchard that was over there...... so many happy childhood memories for him.
We checked into the Stork Hotel and then went for a walk around the immediate vicinity. First stop his old home.................. all the way he was pointing at houses and naming the mates who had lived in them. I was astounded that he could remember so many names from 45 years ago.
We walked past his grandmother's house, back to the hotel and across the road to the church he attended as a kid. He went to 'evensong' service there this evening.
Ray has chatted up lots of people in the pub and has met up with some who knew his mates from childhood, one woman who knew and remembered his sister Susan, and the same woman's mother knew his grandparents!
We woke up in Scarborough to a cold howling wind, but it didn't really matter because today was the day we were going to Billinge.
The drive was scheduled to take about two and a half hours and turned out to be motorway pretty much the entire trip.
The motorway we came on for much of the trip (M62 if you really need to know), is the highest motorway in the UK. 1221 feet at it's highest. It crosses the Pennines Mountains. The wind was quite strong in a couple of places, scarily so and worse than anything I have ever encountered in Australia.
Anyway, we made it to Billinge and Ray gave me a running commentary of all the things we passed on the way in. Fishing in that lake......stealing fruit from an orchard that was over there...... so many happy childhood memories for him.
We checked into the Stork Hotel and then went for a walk around the immediate vicinity. First stop his old home.................. all the way he was pointing at houses and naming the mates who had lived in them. I was astounded that he could remember so many names from 45 years ago.
We walked past his grandmother's house, back to the hotel and across the road to the church he attended as a kid. He went to 'evensong' service there this evening.
Ray has chatted up lots of people in the pub and has met up with some who knew his mates from childhood, one woman who knew and remembered his sister Susan, and the same woman's mother knew his grandparents!He's having a ball! He's rung his Auntie and she and her husband will be having dinner with us on Tuesday.
Tomorrow I will be getting my first real tour of Billinge - so - 'til then........
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