November

This month kicked off with its usual bonfire. And, as always, we allotmenteers were restricted to lighting on the nearest Saturday to bonfire night. Believe in wet. By going early in the morning we were able to light ours, wait to receive more burnable stuff from Joni and Fiona and return before the rain returned.

On the following Wednesday a little sun shone and tempted us out. We had promised to visit Bircham Edge. This is just to the east of Baslow and accessed around the back of the Robin Hood inn. We walked until the end of our set time; not quite reaching the 'Three Ships' rocks, but seeing the Nelson Monument and climbers doing their climby thing. The way down was back along the path that resembled a river. And so we returned to one of our favourite haunts which is Cauldwell Mill cafe in Rowsley for refreshments and home.

At the weekend we made our usual visit to Nan in Milton Keynes. Then we went to Tim's. While mum did some music theory with Izzy, Tim and Isla took Iona and me to the Open University. They were holding a piece of out sound sculpture to celebrate 50 years from the start of the university. It was quite fascinating walking through the Central Walkway and hearing sound at different places.

Wednesday came once more and after mum had her manicure session we drove out to Dale Abbey. We parked in the village to avoid the most muddy part and set off passed the church to the woods. The owners of the farm had created a detour of the path to avoid people walking through their property. This meant mud, but we persevered and went on until the mud was too thick. There was enough autumn colour.

 

Our winter sessions on the railway is beginning to start in earnest and mum is creating some lovely gardens. I am pleased with station development to properly place the new bridge.

On the 30th we went to the allotment for an official 'last time of the season'. The shed was tidied, the greenhouse shut and a ceremonial 'good bye' said.

October

The weather in October became more unsettled and we only made three trips out.

Our first trip was to Bluebell Arboretum
and Nursery near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire http://www.bluebellnursery.com/ It was a blue sky day but the recent rain was a warning for us to take boots. Once more, because of bad weather, we were allowed free admission. However the attendant warned us that not even our footwear would be suitable. Everywhere we put our feet was a pond.

Despite this it was a beautiful place to see autumn colours and fantasic variety of trees. It was here that Irene took a photo on her phone which has become her phone wallpaper and her Facebook picture.

 Our second trip was specially arranged for Irene's birthday. We started with refreshments in the Broadmarsh Centre and went on to the Nottingham Contemporary. We have become recognised as 'regulars' and members of staff home in on us like familiar friends when we enter the galleries.

The first two galleries had been combined to house one complete work. This consisted of an arrangement of objects which moved or lit up. There was both an element of randomness and of programming going on. The artist, Geoffrey Farmer had created this to carry a sound sculpture based on the work Frank Zapa. I instinctively knew that I needed to record the sound. It was talking to one of the attendants that I found at that this was the intention of the artist. I took an number of videos. I cannot upload them but the link will take you to a YouTube upload  http://www.nottinghamcontemporary.org/art/geoffrey-farmer

In the other gallery was displayed the work of a group of 'Performance' artists under the title 'No Movies' http://www.nottinghamcontemporary.org/art/asco It was an interesting concept involving the artists pretending that they had filmed a movie on the streets of Los Angeles.
From here we walk to the May Sum restaurant to a filling Chinese buffet. The chocolate fountain was great fun and I found that my dish soon froze on to the table top. However I think that we prefer the Flaming Dragon.
We walked down through the sunny Market Square where there was evidence of preparations for Christmas on the City Hall frontage.
Finally we made our way back to Broadmarsh where Irene looked to purchase clothes with her birthday money.
While she browsed I went on to wander round a model shop. What a disappointment. Not only was the shop closed but Model Zone seems to be under liquidation. Together with another gentleman we bemoaned the loss before going our separate ways.
The shopping centre is even more of a disaster area. And I do not think that the placement of distorting mirrors along shop fronts does much to disguise the fact.
Home we went.
In the evening Irene was caterer at the dance and following tradition took cakes to share. I was DJ and it fell to me to lead the 'Happy Birthday' singing.
On Saturday Joni and Fiona bought cake and we found out how to play Hamburgum together.
On Sunday Jan and Lawrence bought cake.
Its a good job that we like cake.
The last outing of October was a visit to Hardwick Hall. We have visited it before as consolation for missing our flight to New Zealand in 2005.
This time we went as members of the National Trust. The first photograph I took was of the hall from the drive. The sun was shining on the building and you should not miss opportunities like it. 

The car park was a mud bath, but it was a blue sky day. First came morning tea. Thank you Joe and Julia for the tea for two. To accompany this we had a slice of Guinness Cake each. It was a very dark cake with a creamy icing which looked like froth on top. The veranda made a good view point to have our refreshments. The toilets, as were all the facilities have had a first class upgrade since we last visited.

The Old Hall

A window view

The first point of exploration was the 'Old Hall'. This was where Bess was  bought up. After her return she decided rather than improve it she would build a new hall. The old hall would have been very grand. We learned that a later owner of the new hall had the old hall converted to a ruin.
We spent a long time doing the audio-tour before returning to the car for lunch.
The second part of the day was taken up with exploring the gardens and the new hall. There was still some colour in the gardens but they must have been very impressive in the summer.
 Our first stop in the new hall was in Bess' filing room. We learned that one of her husbands was an accountant. Bess used his methods to keep very accurate records down to the number of nails used in the building.

Bess' Filing System

It is a shame that the building has to be so dark in order to preserve the artifacts, but we had a good wander through. Earlier this year we had been in a hall (Sudbury) which had been partly converted by the Victorians.

Grand Staircase

 Up until their times privacy was not a major concern. In Hardwick to go from room A to room C meant going through room B. The fourposter bed not only helped with keeping warm but gave the occupants some privacy.
We began to understand Bess' character as the second richest person in the country she was a favourite Queen Elizabeth I. She was determined and tough, but readily rewarded those who did 'service beyond the call of duty'.

Home we went. It was only a thirty minute journey for a worthwhile visit.

Ferry Across the Mersey

On the 16th September we set off on one of longer than normal adventure. We had booked four nights in Liverpool. It was on this day that the weather broke. Rain had been threatening and finally started to fall as we reached our morning stop at Sanbach on the M6. The wind also got up and traffic speed was restricted for the crossing of the Manchester Ship Canal.

The rain began to lessen as we reached the end of the M62 and so we turned off to find the National Wildflower Centre. When we arrived at the entrance there was no one in sight, but then an attendant spotted us and told us that because the weather was so poor and there were few flowers we could enter free of charge.

 In the summer this would have been a beautiful place, but we had a wander around. Across the middle of the site was a quite ugly concrete office block. We were able to climb steps at one end and walk on the roof which was itself a garden with good views of the site. At the other end the steps led down through the shops and cafe area.

After lunch in the car park we continued our journey to Liverpool and arrived at the Travelodge. Although we were early we were able to leave the car. The receptionist directed us to nearest bus stop to town and off we set. It was a short walk to the main road crossing the dual carriageway. We crossed over to the nearest bus stop and waited. Fortunately it was the right bus stop for the wrong bus. Although all the buses look the same different number buses use different bus stops. In the morning we found that the bus we really wanted stopped on the other side of the dual carriageway.

However, the 139 that we did not take us straight down to the docks but it did stop outside the catholic cathedral. From the stop we could see the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral http://www.liverpoolmetrocathedral.org.uk/ near to us and the Anglican Cathedral further away in the opposite direction. And so we climbed our way up to the entrance and having read about its history opened the doors and, even though it was not a sunny day we were met with the 'wow' of the colour and splendour that we saw inside. It is essentially a round building with a central dome. Natural light sprays through the colourful glass. The dome changes colour as you walk around. The building is affectionately know as 'Paddy's Wigwam'. (See later picture.)

 Having admired this building we made our way along Hope Street. Firstly we came upon statues of Rev David Shepherd (deceased) the last Anglican bishop and the Archbishop the Most Reverend Derek Worlock (deceased). The two men had stood for the poor of Liverpool during the 'Thatcher Years' and had collaborated in writing a book called 'Better Together with Hope in Our Hearts'. It is fitting that the two statues have been placed together on Hope Street. 

Further along the street we came to a pile of luggage which was a sculpture.

Soon we came to the Anglican Cathedral known simply as Liverpool Cathedral http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/. Despite it not being old it was deliberately built in the old style and was not as impressive as its opposite number up the road. However, we were reliably informed that it boasted the best cafe in town and this was true.

Cafe and shop

 Braving the gale force winds we set off down hill which we hoped would be in the direction of the docks. The first significant structure was a magnificent Chinese arch at the entrance to Liverpool's China town.

Continuing on we went through a fairly normal housing estate and eventually came to the docks.

After a brief battle against the winds on the river front we made our way back to the central bus bays of the city. Here we found a Yates bar and restaurant to have our first real meal in Liverpool.

Then we found our way back on the bus and to the motel. At the motel we were greeted by a receptionist who decided that it would be best for us to have a downstairs room rather than drag our suitcase up stairs.

The following day we were guided by a local into getting on to the correct bus to the docks but still had quite a walk at the other end. The aim of the day was to visit the Slave museum and the Tate gallery. The day also gave us our first glimpse of the Liver building, other futuristic buildings and Superlambbanana http://www.superlambbanana.com/home.php?/WHAT? We also had our first siting of an old hero of Merseyside.

Superlambbanana

Flashing art in the Tate

Albert Dock from the Tate

Billy Fury

 We decided to have our evening meal at the Toby Carvery which was across the car park from the motel.

The next day turned out to be the sunniest of the trip and we made the right decision to do the open-top bus tour which included the 'Ferry Across the Mersey'. Our bus trip into the city was perfect as it took us straight down to docks. The commentary was well worth the price and the ferry ride was priceless. The other side of the river is so different to the city and we enjoyed lunch there before returning. There are no prizes for guessing what was played on the ferry each time it docked. Guess the title

Paddy's Wigwam from the bus

Building mix up

Morning tea

A Liver Bird (This one looks for the ships to 

come in. The other looks to see if the pubs

are open'

The City from the Mersey

A U-boat

Birkenhead

The City from Birkenhead

To end the days activities we used the tour bus as transport to get to the 'Cavern Quarter' and the 'Cavern' itself.

Ringo at Heart Break Hotel

Our evening meal was at a Weatherspoons close to the motel.

The final day touring Liverpool was a very wet one and strangely, possibly because it was so wet, the bus was running late and would not take us all the way to the docks.

For our final day we chose to visit the 

quite new Museum of Liverpool

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/index.aspx

It was a good place to learn of the City's history. Like all the Liverpool museums it was free and the cafe food and facilities were excellent.

The Empire State Building Made From Bayko

Liverpool had an overhead railway -
What a tourist attraction it would be

Museum window

  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayko to see what Bayko is.

Goodbye Liverpool with Liver building, museum
and Superlambbananas

We had a last look at this amazing place and had one of the best views of the cathedral as we left. Before getting on to the bus back we called into the big glass building. There was an exhibition of the work of a contemporary war photographer. The images were very moving.

The next task was to collect the car which was already packed and move on to the Devonshire hotel where we would spend the last night before heading home.

For us it was quite a posh hotel and we wondered about where we should go and eat but discovered that the meals at the hotel were reasonably priced. And so we had a rather nice meal in very pleasant surroundings.

After a filling breakfast with regrets that we could not have stayed longer we made our way out of the city.

The building opposite is the
'Littlewoods' catalogue building

Irene saying goodbye to Liverpool

 Our next destination was Little Moreton Hall. Even as we progressed down the M62 the signs told us that the direct route would not be possible. However we managed to leave the M6 early and navigate, along with many others, to the hall.

We thought that there would be little to see. We were pleasantly surprised and even joined in the free guided tour. It seemed that the main purpose of the hall was to be a display of wealth. Hence its many windows and the showing off of the toilets (garderobes) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garderobe at the front of the building.

House with moat for drainage

Look at all my windows

I've got an upstairs and downstairs garderobe

 The next place we visited was also a display of wealth. This time it was a Victorian building a large garden populated with vegetation from the colonies. This place was Biddulph Grange Garden. Here we had lunch at the very crowded tea room before setting off to explore. The garden was a complete with different views around every turn. Some of the buildings were actually tunnel entrances which led to different parts of the garden. Naturally there had to be a obligatory Chinese garden in bright colours.

Tunnel entrance

End of the holiday by the lake

 Both these places were National Trust properties. These two visits alone almost paid the annual subscription.

We ended our visit and set off home with many memories and having learned a lot more about our country.