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Rivington Adventure: Ruins & The Picnic

By Adventures, Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, Nature2 Comments
Rivington View - Partway Up The Hill

Rivington View – Partway Up The Hill

This is the second and final part of my Rivington Adventure (see Rivington Adventure: Lever Castle), which I had while off on annual leave a few weeks ago.

It was another glorious afternoon; Simon & I headed to explore some ruins in a less well-known part of Rivington’s Woodland. We traipsed uphill, the heat from the sun making the journey more difficult.

But when we got there, it was totally worth it. I could understand why Simon had wanted me to see this magical place.

The entrance included an archway, then stairs to a doorway and felt like stepping into another world:


Under the Archway

Under the Archway

Rivington - Stone Steps To The Doorway

Rivington – Stone Steps To The Doorway

Rivington - The Doorway to a Magical Place

Rivington – The Doorway to a Magical Place

The ruins were presumably built by the extravagant Lord Leverhulme as a place to entertain. They include an outhouse and what would have been a small cottage. These ruins have been named by some as the Chinese Village or the Hobbit Village. Here are some photos:

Rivington Ruins The Well Preserved Outhouse

The Well Preserved Outhouse

Rivington Ruins - The Small Cottage

Rivington Ruins – The Small Cottage

Rivington Ruins - The Small Cottage

Rivington Ruins – The Small Cottage

Rivington Ruins - Nature's Growing Over The Stairs To The No-Longer Existent 2nd Floor

Rivington Ruins – Nature’s Growing Over The Stairs To The No-Longer Existent 2nd Floor

Rivington - A View of the Man-made Pond

Rivington – A View of the Man-made Pond

Rivington - Another View of the Man-made Pond

Rivington – Another View of the Man-made Pond

As we explored, we came across this beautiful, large man-made pond. We sat down and ate our picnic admiring nature’s full summer bloom. I didn’t need to open my energy centres to feel the hum of the natural world around me. But when I did I felt bright green natural energy flow through my entire self – body, mind and soul. The energy went were healing was needed and began soothing, reviving and recharging my batteries.

I haven’t felt that blissful and alive in such a long time.

We sat on a bench and ate our picnic. As I did an ash tree seemed to call to me. I lit up a cigarette and sat with my back leant upon the tree. I closed my eyes and was transported back into the past. To a time were the pond and ruins were whole and in their former glory. I pulled myself back to the present aware that I didn’t want to go to deeply into the past with a lit cigarette in my hand. But I have to tell you that the glimpse I caught was breathtakingly beautiful.

Then Simon & I saw some ducklings with their mother duck. They were just going about their business, not bothered by us at all. So I took some photos:


Rivington Pound - Ducklings

Rivington Pound – Ducklings

Rivington Pound - The Ducklings Close Up

Rivington Pound – The Ducklings Close Up

Rivington Pound - The Ducklings Close Up

Rivington Pound – The Ducklings Close Up

Normally doing the amount of walking we I did I would have experienced some back pain afterwards. But surrounded by the elements: the earth beneath my feet, the air that I breathed, the water in the pond and the fire from the sun in the sky that warmed my skin. I left Rivington feeling interconnected with nature, healed, relaxed, rejuvenated and without any pain at all.

It did me the world of good.

Write soon,

Antony



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Import: Birthday Celebration Ideas

By Creativity, Inspiration, Journalism, ThinkingNo Comments

The Gay UK is officially a year old this month. It’s amazing to think that in that time we’ve grown to a dedicated readership of 150,000 gay people per month, not just from the UK but internationally. With birthdays in mind, we thought about ways to celebrate a birthday other than the traditional alcohol-fuelled night out or throwing of a party.

If you’re lucky enough to share a birthday with The Gay UK, why not try something new? Here are some of our ideas:

1. Dinner and a Show
They say there’s nothing more social than the breaking of bread. Go to dinner, somewhere with delicious food and with those special to you.

After dinner go to the Theatre, see a fantastic show and complete celebration of another birthday. Our writers regularly watch shows and write reviews. Take a look at our Theatre Reviews section to find a show you’ll love on in a Theatre near you.

2. Visiting the Zoo
chester-zoo-2012-06
When was the last time you got up and close with nature? All sorts of animals in all stripes and sizes from across the world can be seen at your local zoo.

Homosexuality has been found in thousands of species of animals, so you might just see a gay zebra, penguin, lion or other animal. Just look for the animals that show a particular interest in others of the same sex.

3. Visiting a Theme Park
Feel the exhilarating rush that comes from a day of riding roller coasters. Release your inner child and visit a theme park. There’s something life affirming about your body being flooded with adrenaline as you’re scared out of your wits.

Many theme parks do gay days – specific dates aimed at attracting the local gay community. So if you’re single you might end up sat on a ride next to your ideal man. Just don’t let him hear you scream!

4. A Day at the Beach
hastings-2012-beach
Imagine seeing the beautiful horizon as you feel the sand under your feet. You taste of the salty air and hear the relaxing sound of the ocean. Well this can all be yours – if you choose to have a day out at the beach to celebrate your birthday.

This activity is dependent upon the weather, but if it’s nice make a day out of it by taking a picnic.

5. A City Break
liverpool-trip-012
Take a short break to visit another city. It can be a city in the UK or even a European city. Flights to Europe have never been cheaper.

6. A Holiday
If it’s an extra special birthday, contemplate splashing out on a holiday. Everyone has individual likes on holiday; for me it would be: sun, sea, sand and sangria. But you may prefer an adventure holiday.

Whatever sort of holidays you like, you’ll be able to find a reasonably priced one – as long as you don’t look at booking when school children are off school.

Got other Birthday Celebration Ideas? Post a comment below.

Published by: The Gay UK on Tuesday 23rd July 2013.

Here is what I learnt from writing this article:

  • Need to improve my article title’s to better sell them to the reader / encourage the reader to read.
  • That I can use an idea from my personal blog and expand upon it.
  • I have the odd photo that can be used for articles. Something to consider as photos help capture the reader and encourage them to read an article.



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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