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Rivington Adventure: Lever Castle

By Adventures, Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, History, Nature2 Comments
Reading Time: 4 minutes
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

A Flashy New Car – Olly, The Citroen DS3

By Happiness & Joy, Life, Shopping, TechnologyNo Comments
Reading Time: 3 minutes

I recently took Sam, my Citroen C1 (see Back in the UK) in for a service and got talking to the Sales Representative. I took the snazzy Citroen DS3 for a test drive and left having took out another 5 year loan for this Citroen DS3:

new-car-olly-1 new-car-olly-2
new-car-olly-3 The 1.6 litre engine makes it a powerful drive, yet inside the car it’s quiet. The DS3 has so many features including: automatic lights, two strips of day lights, automatic windscreen wipers, auto-locking (on setting off driving or if left unlocked), cruise control, speed limiters, reverse parking sensors, electronic windows, electronic side mirrors, bluetooth, USB connection, lumbar supportive seats and a boot that’s big enough for a dead body.

The DS3 feels intelligent – anticipating your needs when you’re driving and responding automatically.

The interior is stylish, although it is missing cup holders and lacks storage space. The glove compartment is so small that a dozen CD’s would fill it to capacity.

new-car-olly-4 new-car-olly-5

The Citroen DS3 I’ve bought isn’t new; but it’s only had one previous owner whose looked after it. I’ve called him Olly because of his licence plate and because during the test drive an Olly Murs album popped out of the CD player.

As excited as I was to get my hands on Olly, bizarrely I felt bad to be trading Sam in. I name my cars, get attached to them and forget that they’re just a piece of metal – like a pet. Still, Olly has helped me get over it.

I’ve joked that I can’t even nip out for a pint of milk without Olly being flashy. When people ask what I mean, I say:
‘He has these two strips of day lights and even with the light settings off he thinks –
I’m a flashy car! I’m putting the day lights on!‘

Write soon,

Antony

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Sunday 28 July 2013

Posh Coffee: The Flavour Collection from Douwe Egberts

By Happiness & Joy, ShoppingNo Comments
Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Flavour Collection from Douwe Egberts

The Flavour Collection from Douwe Egberts (Image Credit: FMCGnews)

While shopping in my local supermarket recently, I discovered The Flavour Collection new from Douwe Egberts. The collection has three distinct flavours: Roasted Hazlenut, Smooth Caramel and Delicate Vanilla.

The Roasted Hazlenut was the first one I tried; being what I would normally order from a coffee shop of a well-known chain. I opened the jar and got a whiff of the subtle yet tantalising aroma. I put a teaspoon of the coffee into a cup, added boiling water and the scent intensified – smelling truly devine.

I might actually be addicted to this hazlenut coffee – was my startling revelation when taking out four or five empty jars for recycling at the end of the month. I’ve shared it with friends & family who’ve tried it and love it.

Smooth Caramel was all right, but not a sweet as you’d expect. It lacked any wow-factor and was a poor comparison to having a shot of caramel in your latte at the coffee shop.

Delicate Vanilla I’ve not tried. I like vanilla as a scent, but not keen on the taste.

The Flavour Collection is luxurious coffee without the ridiculous price tag. Douwe Egberts have got the blend spot on with Roasted Hazlenut; but needs to sweeten the Smooth Caramel and consider an alternative flavour to the Delicate Vanilla.

Douwe Egberts ought to make sure The Flavour Collection is on the shelfs at all supermarkets and make the coffee available in all sizes of jars (rather than just the small-sized ones).

If you’re looking for some instant posh coffee, why not try Roasted Hazlenut which will be available to buy in a supermarket nearby or on Amazon.

Take care,

Antony

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Saturday 13 July 2013

A Night Out to Remember for a Very Long Time: The Rocky Horror Show

By Friends & Family, Gigs & Shows, Happiness & Joy, ReviewsNo Comments
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Rocky Horror Show 2013 A few months ago my good friend Steve and I booked tickets to watch The Rocky Horror Show. Poor Steve had never seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show DVD; so I encouraged him to watch it before we went. Well I say encouraged… it was more a forced watching.

This weekend with tickets in hand and costumes in man-bags, I dragged Steve to see the matinee performance of The Rocky Horror Show at Manchester Palace Theatre.

Before the performance Steve and I went for a delicious meal in the new Velvet Central Restaurant & Bar. As well as the tasty food, it hosts a luxurious, yet relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff.

Then Steve and I headed off to the theatre for The Rocky Horror Show. Here are some photos:

Rocky Horror Show 2013
Rocky Horror Show 2013
Manchester Palace Theatre.
In the bar, after Steve & I changed
in the one toilet cubicle.
Rocky Horror Show 2013
Rocky Horror Show 2013
“Oh Rocky (Steve)!”
Frank ‘N’ Furter (Me) says.
My fishnets & gold/black stilettos.


Rocky Horror Show 2013 Steve & I took our seats ready for the start of the show. As the show began I pulled out my phone, turned off the flash and took the first photo (below). A Usher appeared at the end of the row and flashed her torch at me. I twisted my neck towards her direction to be met by her angry scowl and she indicated that no camera’s were allowed. This is not the first time I’ve experienced an appalling, militant and killjoy Usher at Manchester Palace Theatre.
Rocky Horror Show 2013
Rocky Horror Show 2013
The first photo taken,
interrupted by the appalling Usher.
The Interval: If Steve won’t wear his
Rocky wig, then I’ll wear both.

For the first part of the show I didn’t feel able to take anymore photos. This was a great shame as the set, costumes, lighting, choreography and directing were all brilliant.

However in the second part of the show I snapped a few more photos; despite a further warning from the killjoy Usher.

Rocky Horror Show 2013
Rocky Horror Show 2013
Part 2 – Draw the curtain.
Part 2 – They’re back.
Rocky Horror Show 2013
Rocky Horror Show 2013
The cast after before the encore of Time Warp & Sweet Transvestite.
The cast bow and enjoy the applause at the end of the show.

Rocky Horror Show 2013 A Short Review
I’ve already mentioned that the set, costumes, lighting, choreography and directing were all brilliant. Brad & Janet did have dodgy accents that were slightly off-putting at first; along with Brad feeling one-dimensional throughout the show. Phillip Franks (The Narrator) was fantastic with real banter between the audience and himself.

Overall the show was beyond amazing with all the favourite songs performed including: Science Fiction/Double Feature, Time Warp, Sweet Transvestite, I Can Make You a Man, Don’t Dream It, Be It and I’m Going Home.

Oliver Thornton (Frank ‘N’ Furter) was truly outstandingly. He added his own unique diva-esque personality into the character which made the role his own and worked wonderfully. Oliver Thornton plays the Frank ‘N’ Furter of today; one who is aware of his fame and ready to celebrate his 40th Anniversary.

Here is video Oliver Thornton as Frank ‘N’ Furter singing Sweet Transvestite:

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I highly recommend a night out to your local theatre to see The Rocky Horror Show.

You can also buy the orignal Tim Curry Rocky Horror Picture Show, DVD & CD Lip Box Special Edition on Amazon.

Write soon,

Antony



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Sunday 23 June 2013
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