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My Yearly Review – 2014

By Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, Life, Nature, PaganismNo Comments

This year I did very little in the Spring, a lot in the Summer, bits in the Autumn and Winter. Here’s what I’ve been up to this year, click on any photo for full size image:

March

dame-edna-march-2014

Sye & Me at Barry Humphries Show

Sye and I went to see Barry Humphries: The Eat, Pray and Laugh Farewell Tour. We had a great time. Here are some photos:

dame-edna-march-2014 dame-edna-march-2014 dame-edna-march-2014

May

Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

Simon popping his head out of The Lovely Cottage

Simon and I went to Mid-Wales to The Lovely Penrhos Cottage for the weekend. While there we took the time to relax. The Saturday it was gloriously sunny and hot, so we went to Aberdovey Beach. On the Sunday we went to King Arthur’s Labyrinth.

I published my short story The Good Teen. The Good Teen is a modern-day telling of The Good Samaritan parable, with a hint of magic. I wrote it after I saw a call for submissions from the BBC Radio 4 ‘Opening Lines’ programme. Unfortunately it wasn’t accepted, but it’s still a good story – even if I do say so myself.

June

Rivington-June14

Rivington: A Gorgeous View

I spent several days walking around Rivington. I feel fortunate to have such a beautiful and gorgeous natural place close by.

My at-the-time boyfriend and I went to Blackpool to the Sealife Centre and Madame Tussauds. We saw various fish and waxworks respectively.

Steve and I went watching The Lady Boys of Bangkok in Manchester. We were both slightly disappointed with the Lady Boys to be honest, but it was still good to get out and we even managed a few alcofrolic drinks afterwards.

July

Manchester Museum Gorgosaurus Skeleton

Gorgosaurus Skeleton

I watched After The Dark (The Philosophers), which became my favourite film of 2014.

My at-the-time boyfriend and I went to Lancashire Science Festival 2014 which was both educational and intriguing. Plus it had free parking!

My at-the-time boyfriend, his housemates and I visited Manchester Museum. I loved the dinosaur exhibit.

August

light-michael-grant-book-cover I had my blog Theme Redesigned by TRH Development. I started Being Creative Everyday and sharing some of the results on the blog.

I felt saddened at the unexpected death of Robin Williams and began thinking about the importance of good mental & emotional health.

I read and reviewed Light by Michael Grant, which was the last book in The Gone Series. I thoroughly enjoyed The Gone Series which was about kids being trapped in a Dome without adults and developing powers.

September

Wales animalarium lemur

Animalarium: Lemur

I got some Amazing Illustrations from the Talented Sye Watts for my blog. I am so lucky to have such a talented friend.

A friend and I went to stay for a weekend at Penrhos Cottage and visited the Animalarium, which is Borth’s Zoo on the way home. There where some lovely animals there that looked well cared for.

October

pagan-stone-circle-large Chrys, Simon, others and I celebrated Samhain!

November

harry-potter-studio-tour

Various Magical Creatures.

My at-the-time boyfriend and I broke up.

I made small Charitable Donations to JDRF, The Human Rights Campaign (US), The Brain Tumour Charity (UK) and to make a film about the sell-off of the NHS.

Mum and I went on a Trip to London where we shopped and visited The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour.

December

wrapped-christmas-presents-2014

Some Presents I’ve Wrapped for Christmas

Christmas has been relaxed, enjoyable and fun. I have celebrated it with family and friends. People have kindly bought presents for me:

christmas-presents-2014

Presents Kindly Bought For Me.

But the best thing was the opportunity to spend time with people that I love.

Next year I’ll be spreading out activities, experiences and goals throughout the year. So keep an eye out for my Goals & New Experiences for 2015 blog post.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Happy Samhain!

By PaganismNo Comments
pagan-stone-circle-large Happy Samhain! For pagans, Samhain is about more than just trick-or-treat and scary films. It’s about ancestors and is the time when the vail between the worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest. I’m spending the day and evening with my good friends Simon & Chrys.

If you want to know more about Samhain, or any of the other pagan festivals, see my Pagan Festivals blog post.

If you want to to Making a pumpkin lantern for Samhain, click the link for instructions. Remember that the insides of a pumpkin can be used to make many delicious things, such as pumpkin pie or cookies, so don’t let the insides go to waste. Recipes for pumpkin insides can be found online.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Mid-Wales, Part 1: The Lovely Penrhos Cottage

By Adventures, Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, NatureNo Comments
Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

Penrhos Cottage Sign

Simon and I spent the weekend at Penrhos Cottage. This homely cottage, set in the beautiful Welsh Valley of Corris was the perfect escape from busy life. We dubbed Penrhos ‘The Lovely Cottage.’ Here are some photos (click any photo for full size image):
Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

Simon popping his head out of The Lovely Cottage

Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

Cosy & Homely.

Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

The fireplace – we didn’t use it, as it was such good weather.

Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

Practical Kitchen.

Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

Bathroom 1

Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

Bathroom 2. A shower big enough for two.

Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

My bedroom.

Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

Simon’s Bedroom.

It was wonderfully peaceful, especially with the whooshing from the stream set in the centre of the valley. The view was great:

Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

The View 1.

Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

The View 2.

We met the chickens, roosters and pigs that were in the field in front of the cottage:

Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

The Chickens & Rooster.

Penrhos Cottage near Corris Adam and Andy's cottage

The pigs.

The Lovely Penrhos Cottage is the the perfect place to holiday; whether you’re looking for quietness or activity. For those looking for quietness and contemplation you can chill out in the cottage or take long walks in picturesque countryside. If you’re looking for activity there’s plenty of tourist attractions just a short drive away. The cottage features include Wifi, a fully functioning kitchen and a washing machine. Children and dogs are welcome.

It struck me that Penrhos Cottage would make a superb cottage for writers taking a writing holiday. Simon and I left The Lovely Cottage feeling rested, relaxed and recharged.

In Mid-Wales, Part 2 I’ll tell you about Aberdovey Beach, King Arthur’s Labyrinth and my fabulous gay mirror.

Blog soon,

Antony



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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



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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