Wednesday 30 December 2015

A day in London

Marion treated us to a trip to London.  Thank you Marion.  It was a great day.

Here is our route.
The Monument- I love the way enormous Wren gems have become little jewels packed in to the crevices of concrete London.  The city is still full of cranes, giving me hope that some of the monstrous structures will be 'plucked out' over time.  The constant rebirth of London will continue, as with any jungle.
Poking through the concrete jungle

A walk across London bridge.  We see the 1940's fire ship spraying a peaceful fountain- remembering the blitz.  British memories of pain are that of a mother, rewarded with new birth.  German memories of the blitz are that of a dead child.

Southwark Cathedral- The Golden Hind (we know a few)- The Globe-
A view we did not see.














Tate Modern and the famous walk over the Bridge; Marion's first she says.  The College of Arms, St Pauls.  The Temple Bar.  Fleet Street.  Prince Harry's Rooms,
One of the few houses to survive the great fire.
Frequented by Samuel Peppys
The knocking down of King's College.  The locked gate baring our way to the Roman Baths.
What we might have seen- Is it Roman though?










Cleopatra's Needle, and its interesting story.  How it was thrown into the bay of Biscay, and retrieved, and how it was a generous gift to Queen Victoria from by Muhammad Ali Pasha of Egypt. 

But the story's more complex and intriguing. http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/articles/cleopatras_needle.html
1801- discovered by the French, half buried and consequently well preserved.  Nelson attempted to ship it to Britain.
1820- said to be given by Muhammad Ali Pasha of Egypt to George IV.  Cost of transporting it to UK felt to be prohibitive.
1851- Great exhibition aroused popular interest in the stone.  Much discussion in the press about how to raise the money.
1877- Erasmus Wilson, a wealthy doctor, put up the money.
1877- 14th October, a storm hit the tug and barge carrying the Needle.  Six sailors drowned.  The Needle was thought lost.  A few days latter, the barge was found and taken to port in Spain called Ferroll.  After protracted legal nicitest, it was brought to London on 12 September 1978.
The base also contains a time capsule, a memorial to the sailors who died, and a plaque to Erasmus Wilson.
But can anything 'given' by a subjugated ruler to a regional super power ever be considered a gift?

Trafalgar Square- National Portrait Gallery-
Francis Bacon- It's the eyes

Lowery- again the eyes

Not the eyes- its All Saints Faringdon.

St Martins in the Fields Crypt, and tail end of the Messiah rehearsal.
Banqueting Hall.
Built by James I of England-
 scene of the beheading of Charles I

Westminster Abbey
Winter Wonderland- main even was experiencing the crush of people, which in itself was amazing.
Joanna, Emma and Sarah went for a spin.
They were up there!





Saturday 19 December 2015

2016- My Half Century Challenge

I remember the surprise amongst some rather malicious boys at school when I managed to avoid being hit by a flying cricket ball, and some faint respect when the same ball traveled in a vaguely controlled trajectory away from me.

I guess I've never had much expectation about staying 'in' for long, and so it's a nice surprise.

So how about....

Jumping out an aeroplane- Anyone interested?

I'm thinking about the very basic Tandem Skydive.  ah... see below.  I think that I am about 99kg.

Must start by loosing some weight. (From www.skydivelangar.co.uk)

You will NOT be accepted for:
If you weigh more than:
a Tandem Skydive
15 stones (95Kg)
the Basic Skydiving Course
16 stones (102Kg)
the Accelerated Freefall Course
16 stones (102Kg)
Your weight will be checked on the day of your course. If in doubt, please telephone us on 01949 860878 to discuss your needs before booking your course.

An idea to loose enough weight...

Walking 100 miles around Leicestershire.
Having cycled the route many times, I would like to walk it in 5 days

Day One.   Saddington to Launde Abbey (20 miles). - Stay at Launde Abbey.
Saddington is on a hill
Gumley during cricket season

Foxton 10-lock staircase

Cranoe church

Start -Saddington am
to Launde Abbey pm












Day Two   Launde Abbey to Mountsorrel (20 miles).  Pick up or bus

Gaddesby Church

Launde Abbey to Mountsorrel
Day Three Mountsorrel to Market Bosworth (20 miles). - Stay at Hotel/ B&B
Mountsorrel butter cross

Mountsorrel to Market Bosworth
The footpath goes by the reservoir- meters away from a deep hole.
Day Four   Market Bosworth to Claybrooke Magna (20 miles). Camp?
Tricky bit here

Route through a battle field

Market Harborough to Claybrooke Magna
Day Five   Claybrooke Magna to Saddington (20 miles).
It looked better before it was struck by
lightening in 1791

Considered the middle of England, High Cross is at the
crossing of Fosse way and Watling Street

Claybrooke Magna to Saddington
Picnic celebration.  I have spotted a church hall, all on it's own, in Oaks in Charnwood.  I think it would make the perfect place for a picnic- given we may need some cover.
Mount St Bernard Walk
Or what about my favourite walk?  http://parentsguidetopets.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/best-walk-in-leicestershire.html

That's it so far.

Of yes- and overseas traveling...
Najac to see Richard and Sally- possibly also le Tour de France, but not if Margaret can come as it's in term time.

Also Aachen- to visit the Cathedral.

Sound ok?

Tuesday 1 December 2015

Separation

Recently my daughter left on a gap-year abroad,
She’s now far away, but she’s never ignored.

In the past, families split, new lives to create,
Living, apart, with no way to communicate.

My father’s also gone, his presence no longer I feel,
Seven years now separated, but I still know he’s real.

The Creator’s not seen, some say also not heard,
But for me God’s alive, and this is absurd.

Sunday 22 November 2015

Morning Prom in Blackpool

This is not where we stayed.  It is the
neighbouring building.  Merry Christmas on the
20th of November from the Feng Sheui Care Home.

The sun rising through the bars of the pleasure beach

The instruction about the high-tide organ.

The high-tide organ.

The tower in the distance

South Beach Tram Stop.  I liked it. 


The great wall of Blackpool

Blackpool prom has sculptures positioned along it for general entertainment.
This fella's great.

More sculptures.


It has to be- only in Blackpool.  But it was magical
when the first light struck it creating snow fall.

Sunday 1 November 2015

Psalm to Science

My trust is in you and now we can live forever,
From the moment I was born, your security surrounds us,
Many flock to your open doors; you're the pride of our nation,
Trials and tribulations are overcome,
Your mystery's thrill, both cruel and merciful,
Male and females; standing on the shoulders of others.
Vestment and rituals; vast institutions honour your name,
In everything, meeting my deepest need.


(Prompted by ‘The Givenness of Things by Marilynne Robinson.)

Saturday 24 October 2015

Further Celebrations of Arthog

Leaving Ty Coch

Pet Pig called Fox

Sand dunes at Fairbourne
Classic view by Joanna



By the estuary

Andrew and Joanna





This route is now Cambrian coastal path- but network rail is threatening to close it, unless the
Welsh government pays up.


Credit to Joanna



The Blue Lake

Access to the Blue Lake