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Rivington Adventure: Lever Castle

By Adventures, Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, History, Nature2 Comments
Rivington Natural Beauty

Natural Beauty

 A few weeks ago, I had a week’s annual leave from work. I choose the right week to be off – as all week we had glorious sunshine and sizzling temperatures.

Simon & I headed for an adventure in Rivington. Rivington is a massive woodland and village close to Chorley and Bolton, both of which are in Lancashire. It has a long history dating back to the Bronze Age.

Rivington has several sets of old ruins; with the buildings constructed under the instruction of the long deceased wealthy Lord Leverhulme, whom used to own the land.

Lever Castle (known to some as Rivington Castle) was built by Lord Leverhulme on a whim and closely mirrors Liverpool Castle. Here are some photos of our adventure exploring Lever Castle – as always to see the full size photo click on it:

Outside Rivington Castle - Covered In Greenery

Outside Rivington Castle – Covered In Greenery
The outside of Rivington Castle

The outside of Rivington Castle
Rivington Castle - The Entrance

Rivington Castle – The Entrance
Rivington Castle Inside - Ruins in a Good State

Rivington Castle Inside – Ruins in a Good State
Rivington Castle Inside - Ruins in a Good State

Rivington Castle Inside – Ruins in a Good State
Rivington Castle Inside - Ruins in a Good State

Rivington Castle Inside – Ruins in a Good State
Rivington Castle - 'Owe look a window!' Simon says.

Rivington Castle – ‘Owe look a window!’ Simon says.
Rivington Castle - 'Hello!' Simon says.

Rivington Castle – ‘Hello!’ Simon says.
Rivington Castle - The Top of One of Four Towers

Rivington Castle – The Top of One of Four Towers
Rivington Castle - A Stunning Corridor of Arching Doorways

Rivington Castle – A Stunning Corridor of Arching Doorways
Rivington Castle - The Court Yard, with Winter Hill & a Watchtower in the Background.

Rivington Castle – The Court Yard, with Winter Hill & a Watchtower in the Background.

Rivington - A Place of Bewitching Beauty

Rivington – A Place of Bewitching Beauty

 After exploring the castle and stopping to enjoy the serene view of the reservoir below; we decided to go for a walk to appreciate nature. To me just taking the time out of busy life to truly appreciate nature – is a spiritual experience in it’s self.

Although the photos don’t do this wonderful place justice, Left and Below are some photos of Rivington’s natural world.

Rivington is right on my door step, yet I forget it’s there. I should visit more often.

Rivington - A Place of Natural Delightful Beauty

Rivington – A Place of Natural Delightful Beauty

Rivington - There's Something Magical About Being this Close to Nature.

Rivington – There’s Something Magical About Being this Close to Nature.

Take care,

Antony



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Thursday 1 August 2013

An Update on New Experiences

By Adventures, LifeNo Comments

At the beginning of the year I wrote a list of New Experiences for 2013. It’s nearly half way through the year, a scary thought I know. So I thought I’d re-look at the list:

  • January – Do something that makes you feel uncomfortable. Done, see Something Uncomfortable.
  • February – Take a photo every day. Done, see the photos here: February Photo Challenge.
  • March – Be honest. Don’t lie, not even those little white lies. I found this one difficult to measure, as I’m generally quite honest anyway.
  • April – Socialise in new places and meet new people. I had a look for local writing groups, but couldn’t find any and gave up. I’m going to Pagan Con 2013 in July which will definitely be a new place to socialise and I’ll get to meet some new people as well.
  • May – See the sun rise & set (not necessarily on the same day). I’ve have had a think and need to see the sun rise & set somewhere beautiful. I hope to see a sun rise & set in July.
  • June – Do something for someone else that is completely selfless. I’ve not planned anything yet, but I’m sure an opportunity will come along.
  • July – Visit a site of historical significance. Done. I’ve visited The Druid Circle and Millom Castle with Simon. See Cumbria Adventure for photos.
  • August – Try a food that you would usually turn you’re nose up at saying you don’t like it before you’ve even tried it. I’ve not even thought about this one yet.
  • September – Publish a short story online. I’ve published two stories, see Bravely Sharing My Short Stories and Creative Writing. In addition, I’m doing some journalistic writing for The Gay UK, see Journalism page for articles.
  • October – See Wicked (the Musical). I’ve booked tickets to see with Steve. We’ve also booked tickets to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Up4aMeet.
  • November – Have a “pamper” night in. I’ve not even thought about this one yet.
  • December – Rest & Relax. Despite the busy pace this time of year, take plenty of time for R&R. I’ve not even thought about this one yet.

    • The phrase: could do better, comes to mind. Still at least I’ve got most planned.

    Blog soon,

    Antony

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    Wednesday 5 June 2013

    Cumbria Adventure: The Druid Circle, Old Farmhouse Pub/Restaurant, Holly Trinity Church & Millom Castle

    By Adventures, Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, PaganismNo Comments

    Cumbria View Panorama

    Cumbria View Panorama

    Simon and I planned an adventure out in Cumbria to see The Druid Stone Circle and Millom Castle, both sites neither of us have visited before. We found the sites on The Modern Antiquarian.

    While traipsing through a field looking for The Druid Stone Circle, we found this wonderful altar:

    The Druid Circle - Altar

    The Druid Circle – Altar
    Me sat on the altar

    Me sat on the altar

    Then we saw the circle. The stones are smaller than the stones at Castlerigg but nonetheless beautiful:

    The Druid Circle Cumbria

    The Druid Circle Cumbria

    (Note to Seekers of the Circle: After the cattle grid the circle is on the right.)

    Simon at The Druid Circle Cumbria

    Simon at The Druid Circle Cumbria
    Me at The Druid Circle Cumbria

    Me at The Druid Circle Cumbria

    We had dinner at Old Farmhouse Pub/Restaurant near Ulverston. The atmosphere and food were both delightful:

    Me Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant Sign

    Me Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant Sign
    Simon Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant

    Simon Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant
    Me Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant

    Me Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant

    Then we headed to Millom Castle:

    Millom Castle Cumbria Sign

    Millom Castle Cumbria Sign
    Millom Castle Cumbria

    Millom Castle Cumbria

    We thought the entrance might be through the Holly Trinity Church. The church was a little gem of ancient architecture in it’s own right:

    Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church Gates

    Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church Gates
    Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church

    Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church
    Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church

    Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church

    We quickly discovered that Millom Castle is in private ownership with no access to the public. This was a huge shame as from the photos you can see that it was an exquisite ruin:

    Millom Castle Cumbria

    Millom Castle Cumbria
    Millom Castle Cumbria

    Millom Castle Cumbria
    Millom Castle Cumbria

    Millom Castle Cumbria
    Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church Information Board

    Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church Information Board

    The information board appeared uncared for but the Castle was not. The private owners had scaffolding up and were living in the castle. This indicates that the owners want to restore the Castle to it’s former glory. Let’s hope they do and then open the doors to the public.

    We had a great day out, dubbed our Cumbria Adventure.

    Write soon,

    Antony



    I aim for posts on this blog to be informative, educational and entertaining. If you have found this post useful or enjoyable, please consider making a contribution by Paypal:


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    Friday 17 May 2013

    New Experiences for 2013

    By Adventures, Thinking2 Comments

    A few years ago I used to set yearly goals, then I decided to have goals without the year end marking the deadline for their completion. But thinking about 2013, I really want to have new experiences that encourage my growth as a person. So I’ve set myself some monthly challenges:

    January – Do something that makes you feel uncomfortable.

    February – Take a photo every day.

    March – Be honest. Don’t lie, not even those little white lies.

    April – Socialise in new places and meet new people.

    May – See the sun rise & set (not necessarily on the same day).

    June – Do something for someone else that is completely selfless.

    July – Visit a site of historical significance.

    August – Try a food that you would usually turn you’re nose up at saying you don’t like it before you’ve even tried it.

    September – Publish a short story online.

    October – See Wicked (the Musical).

    November – Have a “pamper” night in.

    December – Rest & Relax. Despite the busy pace this time of year, take plenty of time for R&R.

    Over 2013 I will of course write about these experiences here on my blog.

    Take care,

    Antony

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    Monday 7 January 2013
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