What Happened to August – It Went

What Happened to August – It Went

The review of August is odd. We seem to have had little free time to pursue our explorations of Derbyshire.

The first set of photographs was of the building that was to become ‘Haven Church’. The purpose of the work was to document the state of the building. It was a school that was simply abandoned. More than that, the last occupiers left the junk that they did not want and removed anything of value. Included in the items removed was the control board for the alarm system.

On Sunday the church said ‘Goodbye’ to the old building.

The normal flow of life was interrupted on the following day when the scheduled installation of our new patio door to place. It was a hot dry day when man and son demolished our property. At one point the upper floor was supported on two jacks. At the end of the day, after many cups of tea, the work was done. It was then that the installers pointed out some damage to the doors and we found more damage. First the handle was replaced (and is awaiting another replacement) and the casement was taken back to the factory. This was done on Friday. There was a big hole into our living room for several hours. Just as the men finished the rain came. The door was shut as the heavens opened.

The next day there was an opportunity to complete the photographs of the new church building. Irene and I also made a start on painting the ‘Community Area’. Our painting work continued into Wednesday. And on Thursday morning the building was open for ‘Food Bank’. Then we continued with painting the area of the church.

On Friday the rain continued to pour, but it was hot. In the evening I opened the windows and the doors of our community centre. But the rain came so suddenly and we were flooded.

Sunday the 10^th was the opening of the church for worship. The rain continued to pour. We had the pleasure of collecting two ladies to take to church. Each one has disabled walkers. Before we even left the last house we were both soaked to the skin and paddled from the car over the flooded driveway.

On Monday Irene Bexton and I examined the guttering and found that the filter over the drain pipe was blocked and so we cleaned it out.

The committee meeting was on Tuesday and so shopping was on Wednesday morning. By way of a treat this was followed by our friend Phil buying us a meal at The Nurseryman. We had not been there for many years and I really appreciated the ‘stilton melt’ as a starter. Phil paid for the much appreciated meal and then we took her home. The afternoon ended with more painting in the church building.

Friday came again and so did the rain. This time we closed all the windows and doors of the hall in time. I went into the porch and was pleased to see that there was no water running down the door and that it was rushing down the drain pipe. Ten minutes later I went to look again but this time something like a bucket of water fell on my head.

The following day was dry but cold and windy when we set off for Leeds. The plan to get to the Travelodge was quite good but I made a mistake and went through the city back to the M1. Once on Stile Hill Way we found not only the Travelodge but also Macdonald’s. The coffee and muffin was actually quite nice. Then we went to park nearer the motel.

After notifying the staff of our arrival we caught the bus into the city. There were some impressive carvings on the buildings as we passed them on our way to the town hall. Our first visit was to the art gallery. Some of the paintings were dramatic but it was not the largest collection we had ever visited. However, attached to the main gallery was the Henry Moore Institute. Some of his work was on display in the main gallery also.

Next we headed up to the City Museum passing and entering the Catholic cathedral. It was quite small, as cathedrals go. There was a wedding on and so our visit was brief. Opposite the museum was ‘Millennium Square’. A seaside feature was on. Judging by the state of the museum carpets we could tell that sand was involved.

In the museum we learned that Leeds has a short history and it was named after the river which has since been renamed. We also learned that that there were few celebrities of note and few achievements. However, we did enjoy the display of competition photos. It reminded me of the advice about not becoming a professional. We had a good lunch and left in search of the Tetley Gallery.

We had already discovered that the people of Leeds were very friendly and for the second, and not the last, a passer by volunteered assistance without being asked. Getting to the gallery meant going across and along the River Aire. This took us along the back of the main offices of Asda.

The building in which the new gallery was housed was the old Tetley brewery. (This is one of the city’s best products.) Unfortunately we are spoiled by being so close to the Nottingham Contemporary, and found that the Tetley was not that exciting.

At about this time we received a text from Tim and met him at the entrance to the art gallery. Our choice for dinner was Wagamama Japanese restaurant. The food was interesting and tasty. I ended with the white chocolate and ginger cheesecake. Tim ended with the ‘mix it up mochi ice cream’.

Just before we left the gallery area we spotted a new landmark for Leeds.

Now it was time for the event of the weekend. The three of us made our way to our seats in the town hall; collecting 4 large brown paper bags each on the way in. The town hall interior is just fabulous, glowing with civic pride. No one minded me taking a few snaps, but this changed when Izzie appeared on stage. Now we were under orders to take no photographs because children were on the stage.

The orchestra filed on to the platform and the warning about photography was loudly repeated to the assembled audience of admiring families and friends. For the most part this fell on deaf ears. The six pieces of music was played with absolute professionalism and at the end the audience player their part with their paper bags. The 1812 should really have had cannons, but the bags were very effective.

Having seen Tim, Izzie, double bass, large stool and other things to the car we had our hour wait for the bus. It has been a long time since we joined with the Saturday night revellers (if ever we did). We made our way passed bars and clubs to the city centre bus stop. Have you tried getting coffee on a Saturday night? We settled for two beers in the Café Chocolat.

Although we were in the city centre the bus stop was completely dark in a completely unlit place. Once more we were given the pleasure of hospitable Leeds citizens. A young couple, seeing that we could not work out when the bus was due, showed us the timetable on an app.

There really is an Arkwright's

After a good night sleep it was time to go home. The plan had been to visit a local National Trust priory. However, rain threatened and we decided that a visit to Eyam Hall would be a better plan.

The route took us over the Derbyshire moors. Through the murk of rain the purple colour of the heather was visible. Now was not a good time to stop, but later in the week might prove better.

The Hall was quite fascinating and worth the visit. The coffee and rocky road was good too. The little museum about the plague was also interesting. By the time we left the sun was shining and people were piling into the little village.

Three days later and the promised visit to the heather happened. We drove out to view the heather at one of our favourite places; Curbar Edge. Before setting off we did our usual stop for coffee. It was the first time that we had stopped in the village, but the rocky road was good here as well.

We were able to park a little below the car park and walk up to the gate into the walk. As always the views were stunning as was the heather and the stones that decorated the route. We walked as far as Frogatt Edge to find a place for lunch. At the first group of rocks a family were sitting and so we moved on to the next group of rocks. Once our lunch was opened the family came over to sit and have their lunch near our space. What does this tell you about human nature?

 The sky began to darken. We turned to go back. Behind us the valley began to show signs of rain. As we neared the end of the path the first spots of rain landed.

We went passed men in silver suites who began to put things over them and their camera. The rain came heavy as we reached the car and set off home.

On the way back I called into B and Q to collect some weather sealing strip. On Thursday I applied it, with difficulty on the community centre doors. On Friday we experienced rain again, but none managed to get through to the hall for the Friday night dance.

On Saturday morning we had to make the trip to see Nan in Milton Keynes. It was bank holiday and the traffic was horrendous. Nan is not eating well and is getting thinner.

On Sunday it was our wedding anniversary (46 years or 16,801 days). We celebrated with crispy duck for tea and chocolate from our friends.

On Monday it really rained. We removed a damaged floor tile from the kitchen and replaced it. This took some effort. In the afternoon we spent some time on the railway planting trees and in the evening sat to play some board games.

We finished off our August walks with a visit to Lathkill Dale. We first visited the Dale about 7 years ago but did not walk far. I took a number of shots of a building we saw, but was disappointed not to find it this time.

Our second visit to the dale was last August when we walked from Alport to Over Haddon. At the end of July, this year, we walked the 'Limestone Way' from Monyash, down to a bridge on the dale and up to the top of the dale at Monyash.

To finish our exploration of the dale we needed to walk from Over Haddon to the above mentioned bridge. This necessitated a stop at the 'Old Smithy' cafe in Monyash for another helping of fudge cake etc. and of course the use of the toilet. Is was then a short drive to park on a street in O. H. and walk past the 'pay and display' car park, down the hill and along the dale. We had allowed 1.5 hours to get to the bridge which was exactly the time we took. 

The river has a habit of disappearing but the waterfall, marked on the map, was in full flow. At the bridge we sat for a picnic and returned the way we came. We were dry, reasonably not cold and successful.

The following day was Jan's birthday and we went to join them for the 'Curry Club' at Weatherspoons in Ilkeston.

Today, Sunday is the last day of the month and, just to end on a good note, we have just had an electric-car charging point fitted. It has added £2000 to the value of the house and cost nothing. I do not think that we will ever have an electric-car. The cheapest is around £30,000.

Having said at the start about the lack of days out we did not do too badly after all.

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.