Time and Tide Bell

Several years ago, we stumbled across our first Time and Tide Bell, situated on the lonely Bosta beach in the Outer Hebrides. Maybe it’s our love of the sea and the family legacy of bell ringing but we were enchanted by the idea of the bell, tolling away as the tide rose. Subsequent research revealed that it was one of 12 bells sited or planned around the country, forming an art installation by Marcus Vergette. We’re now determined to visit as many bell sites as possible and are delighted to have visited Cemaes Bay and seen the wonderful installation there.

Ogwen Again

No visit to Wales is complete without a visit to Ogwen. It’s such a dramatic, memorable place that is special to us, not least because we’ve visited so many times but also because of our fond, youthful  memories of field trips and Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions. It was horribly windy on Friday so we limited ourselves to a walk upto and round the lake. Despite the fact that it’s something we’ve done many times, it never fails to lift the spirits for, after all, whatever the weather, who could fail to be inspired by the volcanic and glacial scenery 

Week in Wales!

We’ve been visiting Wales annually for over 20 years so there’s always a strong sense of wellbeing and quiet satisfaction when we arrive at Bryn Dowsi. Although ordinarily we love discovering new places, over the years, this week has evolved into a comfortable experience that celebrates our family, our enjoyment of the outdoors and importantly, allows us to relax, preparing for winter’s chilly embrace. And although Mavis wasn’t able to join us in Wales, we still enjoyed our week, doing something different every day, be that re-visiting old haunts, exploring some new places and eating and drinking far too much.

Halloween

When I was a child, Halloween merely consisted of apple bobbing and church the following day. In the intervening years it’s grown hugely as an “event”, almost unrecognisable now in its commercialism. Although we didn’t go overboard when Miss Glis was a little girl, we always had a few scary cobwebs and a pumpkin so over the years, Mr Glis has developed a talent for pumpkin carving. But this year, ready for our local trick or treaters, he has surpassed himself. With a nod to his own hirsute appearance, he has created a vision of orangeness complete with curly moustache. 

Take a risk

This sign made me smile, although it does actually serve a valid purpose as fallen leaves can obscure the old train tracks. But as I walked the dogs, I reflected on the reasons why nationally, we’re so risk averse and concluded that it’s a political ploy. Culturally, our public policies tend towards a high level of detail, with scenarios for every eventuality, however unlikely. This ultimately produces a highly regulated society, populated with a mass of accepting, conformist individuals, comfortable with order and rules. But, for the less acquiescent among us, this environment, however outwardly benevolent, can be enormously frustrating!

Autumn

This morning felt truly autumnal as Andy and I walked the dogs, the misty dawn radiating an ethereal light that only seems to exist at this time of year. Despite the tinge of melancholy I love the season of autumn mists and mellow fruitfulness: the smell of wood-smoke in the twilight, the whisper of a chill on the air and watching the trees lose their rich green cloaks, golden leaves falling gently to the ground.  And, that sun kissed carpet of leaves actually provides a soothing reminder of impermanence and the need to let go that’s both healing and cathartic.

The Kindness of Strangers

An elderly lady fell near the office earlier today and cut her head quite badly on the wall. Within moments, several other pedestrians and people in cars had stopped to help her, including one young man who took off his shirt to stem the blood. Although I didn’t see the incident, the commotion on the street drew my attention through the window and so I rummaged in our First Aid kit for a couple of suitable sterile dressings which I took out to her. In a world of bad news stories, it’s always wonderful to witness the kindness of strangers

 

The Magic of Childhood

Recently, we’ve heard a lot of children’s laughter from the lane behind the garden. As Andy keeps the grass short (for the distance that his electric extension cable stretches at least) it’s a suitable playing area and with several children living nearby, they’ve taken advantage of it. I’m naturally curious so it should come as no surprise that when I went to the compost bin, my interest was captured by evidence of nearby “works”. The children had created a grotto with a “magic” tree, decorated with all sorts of bits and pieces including an abandoned cat collar. I loved it!

 

Sheep Aversion

Although Monty has never actually chased sheep, he’s demonstrated on several occasions since we’ve had him that he would like to get up close and personal with the woollybacks.  Enter Janet, a dog trainer, who provides access to a flock of sheep as part of sheep aversion training. Janet, a no-nonsense individual with a warm personality who clearly understands canine psychology and the value of “tough love” was simply superb. After a couple of loud and dramatic interventions by her followed by one from me, Monty wanted to be anywhere but in that sheep field. Let the consolidation training begin!

 

Kleptomania and absentmindedness

I’m something of a contradiction, regularly putting things down and walking away while also absentmindedly accumulating collections of other items. I’m especially guilty of this at work, where I have absolutely no pens or other items of office stationery but hordes of mismatching forks and spoons, procured from the office kitchen when warming up last night’s leftovers for lunch. Periodically, I return the property and discover several items from home that have found their way into the spare crockery and cutlery cupboards.  Looking at the numbers of mugs and plates, clearly I’m not alone in my fickle attachments and abandonments

Autumn Apples

When I was growing up, we regularly dog walked along a disused “Beeching” railway line. Not only was the embankment covered with brambles but some way along, there was a dessert apple tree which, wearing the rose coloured spectacles of childhood, was laden with apples every autumn. My parents told us it must have grown from an apple core tossed out of a train: a story that really appealed to me.  And so, several decades later, I still experience a little thrill on discovering an apple tree bordering a former railway line. And here in Cumbria, luckily, there are several.

The Waverley Line

The Sidings

A bumper crop

Bring Me Sunshine

Visiting the Eric Morecambe tribute on Morecambe promenade was a highlight for us on Sunday. Andy, Nerea and Alex had never visited the town before and although it wasn’t my first visit, previously, I hadn’t made it as far as the statue. The Morecambe and Wise show was unmissable TV as we grew up and having introduced Nerea and Alex to past episodes, remains a firm, family favourite to this day. On a glorious day and with superb views of the Lakeland fells and Morecambe Bay as a backdrop, the statue and surrounding tributes definitely  brought “sunshine to our smiles”.

Eric Gill at The Midland

Although I‘d seen other works of the reprehensible Eric Gill, I knew little of the art  he’d created for the Midland Hotel in Morecambe. During a hotel tour, our engaging concierge captivated us with his detailed knowledge of the various Gill pieces: the Neptune medallion, the decorative local map and the relief depicting Odysseus being welcomed from the sea by Nausicaa. And seemingly, locals experienced only moderate degeneracy when dissolute Gill, wearing nothing but a smock, was carving the seahorses high on the front of the hotel.  But does his unquestionable artistic genius excuse his appalling behaviours? Absolutely not!

Birthday Bash

My extended family and I celebrated my cousin’s birthday in style last weekend at the wonderful Art Deco Midland Hotel in Morecambe. Marian decided to have a “bit of a do” to celebrate a random birthday rather than wait for the next funeral to meet up! What a brilliant idea it was! In keeping with the venue, we dressed in 1920s style clothing and danced the night away (in my case, as well as my damaged knee allowed) to some fabulous live music. And we got a guided historical tour of the hotel thrown in! It was a perfect occasion!

Conker time

Yesterday I was approached politely by several small boys sitting on the wall of the riverside cottages. They wanted to know if I would like to buy some conkers. They’d set them out in sizes and were charging between 5p and 20p each. Just a hundred yards away was the source of their produce and although I could have picked up several conkers for free, I was so enchanted by their approach, that I handed over an excess of money and chose a splendid example to take home. It reminded me so much of “Just William”, I was utterly charmed

My splendid purchase on the right

Not so fearless now!

Terriers are usually described as hardy, independent and resilient and Miss Molly, who has a sizeable chunk of terrier in her, demonstrates those characteristics, (although in all fairness, she isn’t exactly fearless!).  And at first glance, anyone would think that Montilicious was all of those things too. But he isn’t!  He is completely dejected when faced with a walk in the rain. Possibly the three days of complete drenchings we endured on the Cumbria Way were the deciding factor for him but rain makes him utterly miserable and stubborn. Yesterday, I literally had to drag him round his morning walk.

Molly the Brave

Monty the wet one

Mary Berry Apple Cake

We have had a plethora of apples on our tree in the garden this year. After giving some to the neighbours and packing some away, we still have a bag full. So at the weekend I made Mary Berry’s Apple Dessert Cake which was absolutely delicious, according to my colleagues who finished it on Monday. As it uses melted butter, it isn’t the easiest batter to handle, particularly as the apples are sandwiched between two layers of cake mixture but by working quickly, it was easy enough to achieve the desired result. If only I didn’t like cake so much……

APPLE DESSERT CAKE

225g (8 oz) self-raising flour

1 level teaspoon baking powder 

225g (8 oz) caster sugar 

2 eggs

½ teaspoon almond extract

150g (5 oz) butter, melted

350g (12 oz) cooking apples, peeled and cored

25g (1 oz) flaked almonds

Spread half this mixture into the prepared tin. Thickly slice the apples and lay on top of the mixture in the tin, piling mostly towards the centre. Using 2 dessertspoons, roughly spoon the remaining mixture over the apples.

This is an awkward thing to do, but just make sure that the mixture covers the centre well as it will spread out in the oven. Sprinkle with the flaked almonds.

Bake in the preheated oven for 1¼–1½ hours until golden and coming away from the sides of the tin.

Spread half this mixture into the prepared tin. Thickly slice the apples and lay on top of the mixture in the tin, piling mostly towards the centr

This is an awkward thing to do, but just make sure that the 

Silver Celebrations

Last weekend, Andy and I shared in the Silver Wedding celebrations of some friends. They hosted the party in their lovely home and as we sipped champagne or diet Pepsi (yes, I was driving) and chatted to other old friends, I couldn’t help but reflect on life’s rich tapestry. Many guests were financially or professionally successful but several had experienced loss and sorrow or had their lives take a different direction from the intended route.  But despite the differences, the unifying feature was the delight in celebrating the marriage of two generous, warm-hearted people. And that was a powerful thing!

Strictly!

Strictly Saturdays are back!  Yes, along with a large number of the population, we’ve have been waiting for the glitter and sparkle that marks the start of autumn, Strictly Come Dancing!  A guilty TV pleasure (along with the GBBO) there’s something addictive about the show; the mix of music, dancing, outrageous costumes and personalities is compelling. With a host of new dancers (although sadly, Anton is still with us) and some seemingly  talented “celebrities” (I use that term in its loosest form), it should be a good series and a pleasant way to spend the next few Saturday evenings.

LINCOLN

Despite visiting friends who live in Lincolnshire for over 30 years, Lincoln isn’t somewhere we’re familiar with. In fact we’ve only been there once when we took Nerea to a nearby farm-based “Jungle Gym” and needed a restorative cuppa after the noise of countless shrieking children proved headache inducing. So on a recent work visit, I discovered the delights of the historic quarter of the town. Perched on the top of a limestone escarpment, the Castle and Cathedral area is charming, with steep narrow streets climbing up from the River Witham and Brayford Pool giving stunning views across the city.

The Diamond Challenge

Earlier this month, I completed my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Diamond challenge.  Once I’d committed to walking the Cumbria Way, my dear husband promptly developed work commitments and sustained a hockey injury that meant he couldn’t join me when planned.   Throw in the worst weather of the summer and it was clear I needed to re-think my approach.  So, I ended up walking non-sequential sections over 5 days, travelling South to North, North to South and using trains, buses and automobiles to complete the sections.  Despite the rain, injuries and contrived elements of the route, it was still very enjoyable.