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:
The phrase: could do better, comes to mind. Still at least I’ve got most planned.
Blog soon,
Antony
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 |
 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
 Simon 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 |
 Simon Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant |
 Me Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant |
Then we headed to Millom Castle:
 Millom Castle Cumbria Sign |
 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 |
 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 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
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
 (A photo of one of the famous Liver Birds.) |
One weekend a few weeks ago on a gorgeous, bright sunny day Chrys, Simon, two of Chrys’ visiting foreign friends and I went for a day trip to Liverpool. I’ve not been to Liverpool in years and don’t know the city well. So we were really lucky to have a proper scouser in Chrys. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide to show us around her lovely city.
One of Chrys foreign friends has a love of architecture and photography and Liverpool is full of beautiful architecture. The foreign friend pointed out many grand architectural features at high points on the buildings. I’m not normally one to notice architecture, so her pointing it made me notice the detailed carvings in the stone. Here’s a man holding a torch which is an example of the architecture I’m talking about along with a fountain that caught my eye (click on any of the photos on this blog post to see a full size image): |
Next Chrys showed us where The Beatles started off at The Cavern Club:
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Opposite The Cavern Club is ‘Liverpool Wall Of Fame’ (photo right). It’s got a gold disk for every liverpudlian whose had a Number 1 Single in the charts.
As I was taking in the graffiti people from seemingly all over the world had written, I noticed this: |
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It was a statement somebody had written that read:
“Everyone and everything in this universe is interconnected
Stay true to your heart and you’ll see the signs
Follow the signs to uncover your destiny”
I was shocked to see something so deep written. It reminded me to keep listening to my heart and to keep an eye out for signs from the universe in my daily life.
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Chrys treated us to a cruise on the ferry across the Mersey. The sun was hot but it was cooled by the breeze. As the ferry sailed along I found the combination of the sunshine, breeze and movement very relaxing. I got to see the fantastic Liverpool skyline and found the history of the Mersey, Liverpool and the docks coming over the tannoy really interesting.
We did a full circle on the ferry getting off where we’d started. Then we decided to walk along the Mersey on the way to the docks. |
 (Waiting to get on the ferry.) |
Along the Mersey front we saw these:
We approached the docks with the various bars, shops and resturants. I really wanted to get a photo of the dry docks, but unfortunately they were carrying out work on them. So here’s a photo of a “wet” dock:
After having a look around a few shops, we decided to head to a traditional pub as Chrys and Simon wanted to show the rest of us the immaculate toilets. Before jumping in the taxi I saw this yellow submarine and just had to take a photo:
We reached the pub and all enjoyed a drink before realising just how late it was, just after six. Chrys’ two foreign friends had really enjoyed themselves and informed us that as a thank you they would cook tea when we get home to Chrys’. Chrys wanted to show them one last place on route to the train station, the Catholic Church:
Apparently Jesus goes home at six, back to Chrys’ cellar as does the Catholic priests as the Church was closed. So we didn’t get to see the inside which is apparently beautiful. We headed back to Chrys’ on the train.
When we arrived at Chrys’ Simon got the fire going, Chrys and I made the garden look pretty with candles and Chrys’ two foreign friends got busy in the kitchen. I started to flag at this point as I’d only had about three hours sleep the night before. By the time we all sat down to eat my stomach was churning due to tiredness and I wasn’t able to eat anything. But it smelt delicious and I thanked them for their culinary efforts after I explained why I wasn’t eating. We said our goodbyes and I headed for home.
It was a wonderful day and I’d just like to thank Chrys, Simon and Chrys’ two foreign friends for a great day trip.
Blog soon,
Antony
