A Winter's Day at Aldingham. (CUMBRIA)

While I visit the nursing home at Aldingham (I have written about that on my Wrinkly Writers blog) my hubby who drives me there, sits reading in the car. Last week he took these photographs of the waves beating on the shore. We certainly have had some wild weather lately!

Heaviness but the sun comes through

I often draw from nature to solve my problems or discomfort. Heavy clouds with sun breaking through has always been an uplifting sight for me. I don't care much for bright sunshine as it is bad for my sight. In just about everything to do with life, I find Contrasts easier to cope with. You can have too much of a good thing? Well that is the way we were brought up to think. (And 'too much' for us in those days would seem to be what most folk take for granted these days!)

I can't walk like I used to but I enjoy getting out to view nature close to, but also look at vistas that go on for miles.

You don’t have to go far out of Ulverston to find staggering views towards Coniston. Of course, you can get excellent views of distant fells and mountains from the local Hoad, and other places too, but this one here, where Coniston Water lies below a sweep of mountains underneath smouldering skies, is always close to my heart. For those keen on walking (fairly steep hill to climb) follow the Cumbrian Way until reaching the road that goes upwards towards the moors (or go straight up Old Hall Road, turning left at the crossroads, passing Windy Ash Barn and upwards towards the Anglers Tarn. Continue walking upwards until distant Coniston comes into view. Actually we often drive this way home into Ulverston and stop the car to take in the view. But we have walked in that direction a number of times. At a rough guess I would say it is about two miles from the town centre. Maybe less — walking uphill always makes the journey seem much longer!

Whinlatter Forest Park — The English Lake District

For a birthday treat (as good an excuse for a run out as any!) we drove up to Whinlatter Forest Park on Monday.
It was a glorious drive there: through woods and by lakes, autumn colours glowing in brilliant sun, water sparkling on water — lakes, streams and waterfalls.
Whinatter as wonderful as ever: majestic trees, fantastic views and birdlife, and, of course, the Siskin cafe — good homemade food and great views from the windows.
A short walk, my problem knee preventing more than about thirty or forty minutes. No one counting!
A delightful piece of metal sculpture is close to the entrance. Great craftsmanship and design. We just had to take a picture of it — yes, it is the grey metal thing, not that old bird next to it!

A Sunday Walk

A Sunday Circular Walk from Canal Foot to Plumpton via the coast path returning across the inland footpath.
This was to be a gentle walk for me, having had a cortisone injection in my knee a few days before and so nothing strenuous advised so as to give healing a chance.
It was a pleasant day in spite of a chilly breeze. Actually when we were inland it was quite sheltered and very warm.
We left the car parked close to the canal, I said hello to a sweet little pony and we started off. The sea was coming in and we were walking the path close to it, so no messing around. The path being soft with standing water, we tended to walk over the rocks — maybe not the best thing with my problem knee but we soon reached slightly higher ground where the path is smooth. We stopped to look across the bay with the sun shining on the railway viaduct. We saw an old boat which looked as if it had been brought in with the tide. Now there is a prop for a short story!
Onwards and we reached Plumpton Hall, a very old building of unusual design. Years ago when we had only been in the area a short time, the hall was for sale. I think it was £9,000. Sounds cheap now but that was a lot of money then. If we had had the money, I would loved to have bought it — such a romantic building and in a wonderful almost isolated spot close to the sea.
Up the lane we spotted a group of horses and I said another hello! Further along and over the stile steps into a field. Following the path we came close to the railway line. We were soon in sight of Ulverston's Hoad Monument, gleaming white in a ray of sun.
Further along and over a stile under the shade of overhanging trees. There is a fence running by the footpath now, likely because the farmer has a bull in the field. I was actually glad to see the fence, as last time we took that walk a whole herd of young bullocks were gathered around the stile. On that occasion we diverted to a field and after much walking found ourselves getting over a fence and back on the footpath by the sea. So we continued by the barbed wire fence turning to the left by an old quarry — Nother good setting for a short story with nefarious deeds! Over another style and we were among some delightful 'architect' build houses overlooking the bay. Down the slope and back to the footpath start. We walked along where once sea-going vessels entered and left Ulverston Canal. We looked back to where we had walked and saw that the sea had covered most of the path. The other direction, the bright sun had turned part of the sea to a sparkling diamond.
A short walk but truly delightful!

A Ride Around Thirlmere, A Walk in Whinlatter Forest.

Last week it was my husband's birthday. In the morning I thought of asking him if he would like us to go to Whinlatter Forest for a short walk and lunch. There is a great little Siskin café there that serves up homemade food — simple but delicious. Tables outside too where you can watch the birds flying through the trees and feeding from nut and seed feeders that are drawn up to eye level. (The café is built up an incline so as to get lovely views of the forest.)

I decided not to ask as it is a good way for him to drive. Half an hour later, he asked me! This often happens. Sometimes it is quite funny. We both come up with the same reply, or automatically look at each other with the same expression when asked a question, or told a story.

“OOO… Fancy that!” Of course, you may think, “So what!”

We just find it funny.

The drive to Whinlatter takes us along country lanes and roads by the side of lakes and through valleys. Thirlmere Reservoir has been in the news lately because an earlier dry spell lasting far longer than usual had caused a considerable drop in the water level. It caused a hose pipe ban in the areas it feeds, as far down as Manchester. The water is now rising although it still has a little way to go. You will see this from the photographs. They are all of Thirlmere. There are plenty of photographs of Whinlatter in an earlier post.

Since we intended walking, we both decided on a bowl of soup with roll and butter. A piece of cake to share afterwards. (Well, it was hubby's birthday!) My eyes popped when the soup arrived — in two pound size pudding basins! The large seedy roll was also homemade — delicious with tow large pats of butter. (We don't usually eat butter because of the cholesterol) The cake too, was lovely. It was with a heavy tummy that we took a walk afterwards — not far, just about 50 minutes. Slow going as I soon get puffed, as well as my knee being sore at present.

The weather kept fine for us, even if clouds threatened rain.

We drove home via the other side of Thirlmere and I took some photographs.

Once home, hubby decided to cut the grass as rain was forecast for the weekend.

Just as well, rain has poured down!

A lovely day to remember.

As Time Goes By — the changing scene

As Time Goes By — the changing scene.

We have lived in the market town of Ulverston twenty-five years. Before that we were less than four miles away. We lived in that village sixteen years. So altogether we have been in the area 41 years. What changes have we seen in this small market town of Ulverston?

There is no doubt that Ulverston is not what it used to be. But is anywhere? The pace of life has changed; the whole way people live has moved on to embrace the latest technology especially in the living room and in the kitchen. Expectations are greater, personal responsibility has become less. But as far as a small town is concerned the way we shop has shifted — supermarkets have made family businesses less viable to the detriment of a town’s ambience. Flats and apartments are taking over some premises, and many others remain empty, or temporarily occupied.

I, and others of my age, will recall the shops that satisfied all our needs. I used to buy my blouses from a great little shop in the Market Square. My coats and other clothing, plus some furnishings came from the Coop in County Square, my underwear from Atkinsons, the men of our house bought clothes from Greenwoods. Delicious pork pies were bought on Queen St. Ham and other groceries from a shop on Market St. Meat from a King St butcher, fruit and veg from the shop now selling sports’ clothes. ‘Home made’ cakes and pies from a family business on Market St and Soutergate. Just about everything else was bought in Ulverston too. The book-come-stationary shop in Queen St is sadly missed. The printer, art and craft materials, on Queen St is no more. The list can go on. Thankfully Smith and Harrison is still in business — what would we do without Graham, whether for fork handles or four candles? His smiling face and friendly helpful manner is a true tonic. Long may his hardware store live on!

Well, I guess Supermarkets killed off most of the family businesses and made others non-viable. We have even lost the Halifax branch — a great loss to many, especially the older customers that prefer to have a ‘face’ to talk to and be greeted by name at the counter. I think the first bakery/café to go, and missed by many, is Salmon’s — genuine old thirties chairs and tables, rusting bay-window frames but marvelous atmosphere with open coal fire and simple good food in the upstairs café. Known for the quirkiness of closing between the hours of one and two! All of these gone but not forgotten.

The face of Ulverston has changed indeed. Tourism is welcomed as more trinket and charity shops, and cafés appear, and tables are put out on pavements. The town is given an olde worlde image with rough paving flags and cobbled areas. Thankfully, the delightful band continues to play on Thursdays and special occasions. A statue of Laurel and Hardy in Crown Square draws visitors, and the many festivals bring in coachloads of people from near and far. Fireworks often light up the sky.

But personally, I’m sorry to see more drink sold, and often bins too full to take away the remnants of take-away food. We seem less likely to bump into people we know, though footpaths are often crowded with the need to walk into the road.

But still the walks are delightful — the canal side, the Gill footpath, the Flan and onwards to the Hoad by a choice of paths. The walk through the bluebell woods particularly delightful, and the views from Hoad Hill spectacular. Longer walks too for those able to do so. Even so, I feel a sense of loss for what has been but will be no more.

Visit my other sites for different thoughts...

Diary of a Country Lady

Gladys Hobson — Author

Wrinkly Writers

Gladys Writes on My Space

Magpies nest Publishing

Recognising Butterflies

I admit I am not good at recognising most things to do with nature. I tend to soak in the beauty and wonder of it all rather than add to my knowledge of what each insect, butterfly, moth and beetle are called. That is, I tend to recognise things that sting and bite but let the rest fly freely in my mind. But occasionally, I do get interested in names in order to communicate, as with the rest of knowledge, and life in general.

Earlier this year, We had quite a few lovely butterflies fluttering around the flowing shrubs. I did not think they were Red Admirals and yet...

So I looked on the Internet and asked around. Could this be a new variety of a Red Admiral? I was assured it was common.

The Saturday Telegraph has at last put me right. I have attached here a photograph of what is called a Small Tortoiseshell. According to a survey done a short while ago it comes ninth in the 'sightings league'. The Red Admiral is eighth. I have put a copy of a cutting from Saturday 28th August 2010 here, along with their photo of and mine of the Small Tortoiseshell. I guess there IS beauty in a name as well as the object it represents.

Now I am interested in knowing butterfly names. I expect my brain can find room for a few more facts after all!

Visit my other sites:

Lake District Saga — Checkmate

Diary of a Country Lady

Gladys Hobson — Author

Magpies Nest Publishing

Gladys Writes

Ask Gran Hobson

and my main blog site — Wrinkly Writers

Ulverston Carnival in Pictures

It is difficult to choose from over 100 photos, all of which show an aspect of the 2010 Ulverston Carnival held last Saturday July 3rd. As usual, we were late arriving at the top end of Sautergate where the Carnival passes, but we then went down the bottom of the road and elsewhere to catch parts we missed. A lovely sunny day and masses of people taking part, especially children. Lots of music from various bands and many dance groups looking gorgeous in their brilliant costumes. Tiny tots, weary from it all. slept in their push chairs as the afternoon progressed. It is amazing the trouble people go to to make it such a success. We did not catch any of the dancers performing. Indeed, by the time some of them reached where we stood they must have been worn out! How stirring were the bands, and jolly the less formal ones. Our photos tend to pick up the 'natural', For, at the corner where we stood, there was much waiting while those before and after did their 'thing' to an appreciative audience. (More crowds there) But I love the 'natural' look on many faces as they were caught off guard.
The whole thing was a wonderful feast of colour, music and movement, which left all of our senses alive and reeling! WELL DONE every single person taking part AND those behind the scenes.

Click on pictures to enlarge.
To see MORE PHOTOS OF THE CARNIVAL, click on Diary Of A Country Lady