Halloween

We may no longer have a small person living in our house but we can still participate in some Halloween fun as several  children on the street will be “trick or treating”  tonight with their parents.  The recent, over commercialism of Halloween is something that still sits uncomfortably with us but when it’s limited to small children dressing up as witches or ghosts  coming in search of sweeties, we actually quite enjoy it.  There’s a sparkly spider’s web on the front door, a small, carved gourd glowing in the dining room window and packets of sugary treats ready for distribution!

Park in the Past

A friend of ours is involved in an exciting new venture called Park in the Past.  It’s a Community Interest initiative that hopes to transform a disused quarry in Flintshire, North Wales into a unique window into the past so that visitors can step back in time and see how our ancestors lived. The ambitious plans include building a fully functional Roman fort and Iron Age farmstead which will be sustainably managed, using locally produced materials.  The site will encourage experimental archaeology in addition to creating and supporting the sustainable management of wildlife habitats. It’s a superb, local community initiative

But is it art or abuse?

Despite recently abusing a paperback book to make a 3D tree, as a book lover and hoarder, I'm still not entirely sure what to think about cannibalising books for crafty, artistic purposes.  Even though I used a battered, thrift-store,crime thriller that I’d read in the tent on our summer trip without worrying about damaging it, I felt guilty. I simply hadn’t been able to throw the book away and because it was too tatty to donate, I decided to turn it into a folded, paper Christmas tree.  Although it’s unfinished, it looks effective and yet I remain feeling discomforted!

A disgusting habit

When in London I enjoy the opportunity to walk along the famous (or even not so famous) streets admiring the buildings or looking at the architecture while making my way to a destination. But being a non-smoker and asthmatic, since the smoking ban, I have become increasingly aware of the large number of people who now smoke on the street.  It’s extremely unpleasant to walk through a wall of disgusting, choking pollution.  Having been to both Washington State and British Columbia, I think we should adopt their approach of not allowing smoking outside within several meters of doors and windows.

Earth Caching in the City

When I left my meeting last week, I didn’t seek out the company of those fellow attendees who were going out for a drink but instead, disappeared off in search of several Earthcaches.  That may appear unsociable but contrary to outward appearances,  I’m actually quite happy with my own company after a day of meetings with strangers.  London is full of hidden geological secrets  and Earthcaches are a splendid way of discovering them. After discovering street stalactites, ancient Egyptian granite and fossils, I headed off to the river beach to find flints in the dark. I enjoyed a perfect evening!

A sense of history makes my day

The weather in London was glorious when I arrived last Thursday morning. I thoroughly enjoyed my brisk (as rush hour was over) walk from the station to the office and entered the hallowed portals with a degree of reluctance. But happily, it wasn't all shade and shadows as the meeting room was at the top of the building, with a double aspect. With barely a turn of my head, I could see both Westminster Abbey and Cathedral, the Post Office Tower and the top of the Palace of Westminster. My craving for a sense of history had been satisfied temporarily!

"Sole" seeking

 

There’s a tree on a lonely road at Knowesgate, near Kirkwhelpington in Northumberland that bears an unusual fruit.  Its branches are laden with shoes of all kinds.  No one really seems to know how the custom began but there are many theories. Some say it was a couple of local tradesmen who adopted the alleged American tradition whereby prospectors used to hang old boots from a tree near to their excavations as a good luck charm.  Others say they’re hung there to promote fertility or represent “walking” a life journey. Whatever its history, it’s quirky and an entertaining conversation piece

A windy hilltop

I knew I was back on an English hill top when I stood by the trig point looking across a sea of knee high heather in a howling gale.  The only thing that was missing was the chill factor as, the temperature was unseasonably warm meaning  the wind hadn’t frozen my extremities, as usually happens.

I love the wide open spaces of boggy, tussocky moorland that seem to be unique to this part of the world. To tramp across rough ground, face into the wind, is one of my greatest pleasures and something I appreciate every time I’m out there!

Reflections

As I walked into the Newcastle office this morning, my spirits were lifted by the reflections on the River Tyne.  The low tide had become a canvas of still, calm, water creating a beautiful, mirrored, industrial portrait of Dunstan Staithes.  When I remarked on this to my colleagues I was surprised at how few seemed to appreciate the shifting landscape outside their window. Perhaps it’s only visitors who can appreciate the restless, ever changing scenery of the tidal waters. Its magical properties seemed lost on those who, bowed down with workaday cares, pass by each day, unseeing of its beauty,

Exercise is good for you? Really?

I’ve recently begun running again and despite various aches and pains, have enjoyed the experience in a masochistic way. I enjoy being out of doors and on a work day, when the alternative is being closeted in front of my computer in a stuffy office, even when the weather is cool or windy, it’s always preferable.  Sadly, I don’t ever seem to get the post exercise high that many other people enjoy, so I’m probably not pushing myself enough but try telling that to my brain as my aged pelvis, hip and knee joints protest.  Now where are my trainers?

World Earth Cache Day

I was very pleased with the Earthcaching event that Andy and I hosted in Carlisle on Sunday in celebration of World Earthcaching day.  3 newish cachers and I added to the “enjoyment” of the event by undertaking a 3 mile Earthcache run, before meeting up with the other local cachers who were collectively tucking into home-made cake. Sadly, geo-dogs were in short supply apart from 3 Kinnear’s beautiful terrier, as the event was in the town centre outside the Cathedral but we were all entertained by a splendid yellow Labrador who gatecrashed the party, attempting to rob us of cake!

Loving London

London is such a vibrant city with a rich and enthralling history that I could never be bored.  Shopping doesn’t interest me, although the prices in a Marylebone bakery window caused me to stop and take a second look. I’m drawn to the eclectic mix of ancient and modern; the dominant presence of tangible relics of a bygone past clinging precariously to the fabric of modern life. Best of all are the secret places known only to locals (or geocachers!), the interesting street names, the hidden squares or the curious sculptures on buildings and walls. They completely enhance my visits!

A river of poppies

 

Being a resilient and fairly unemotional type of person, I surprised myself at how moved I felt during my recent visit to the Tower of London. The swathes of ceramic poppies filling the moat like a red river of flowers was a beautiful but  tangible reminder of the thousands of people who died an untimely death in defence of our country during WW1. Although I err towards peaceful solutions rather than combative approaches to issues, I remain hugely appreciative of the ultimate sacrifices that so many people have voluntarily made over the years to safeguard the freedoms we enjoy today