It soon became clear that Robert had his 'walking breeches' on. Having been working so hard over the last couple of weeks, he saw this outing as a literal way of 'getting away from it all'. First we cleared the perimeter of the estate, across the road, over a stream up a wadi-like feature, across another road and then began the serious clambering over huge boulders. I had to take this stage at my own pace, Robert waited up ahead on 'his' boulder (it was surprisingly comfy!) From there we surveyed the view and only then was he able to get things off his chest. I like our chats. Both my children are way ahead of me in the intelligent stakes, but I do try to listen when needed and offer sound advice.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Know Your Limits...
It was here, while we sat and ruminated that we became aware that we were not alone. Up there, almost on top of the world and along came four mountain bikers!...
On Top Of The World...
Clambering up some more we did reach the highest point and not to be outdone I managed it too! I should have taken a 360 degree panorama, but as I turned round it did feel rather precarious, so just for once I thought it best to ensure I didn't lose my balance.
Back To Base...
Once down again, the sun came out and provided a perfect ending to a near perfect day...
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Appointments...
Friday 30th May
Had to ring the dentist first thing as I think I have broken another tooth! Lucy came with me to the hospital for my appointment with the Pain Management Clinic. We came out with a 'high tech' TENS' machine. It's not any different from the one I already have, except that it does have four pads so can deliver it's blocking electricity to twice the area. Didn't leave until 11.00am, went round to the dentist and walked straight in. My dentist was on holiday so another one diagnosed an abscess and prescribed a course of antibiotics. (£7.10). It was at this point that we phoned Robert and arranged to meet in Birmingham.
Had to ring the dentist first thing as I think I have broken another tooth! Lucy came with me to the hospital for my appointment with the Pain Management Clinic. We came out with a 'high tech' TENS' machine. It's not any different from the one I already have, except that it does have four pads so can deliver it's blocking electricity to twice the area. Didn't leave until 11.00am, went round to the dentist and walked straight in. My dentist was on holiday so another one diagnosed an abscess and prescribed a course of antibiotics. (£7.10). It was at this point that we phoned Robert and arranged to meet in Birmingham.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
The Calling...
Friday 30th May
Lucy and I travelled home on Tuesday evening. Lucy was at work Wednesday and Thursday, so by Friday it seemed a good idea to have another outing and to somehow include Robert.
We caught the train from Derby and Robert from Loughborough and met up at New Street station. Had a quick sandwich and then walked the short walk up to the Town Hall where we found this pylon under construction. Contrary to popular belief, this pylon was not for conducting electricity, but to publicise a Climate Change Festival. The base had been made to look as though it was in a wheat field. I couldn't help but think that this was a total waste of funds and I bet the wheat they used had been especially imported!
Lucy and I travelled home on Tuesday evening. Lucy was at work Wednesday and Thursday, so by Friday it seemed a good idea to have another outing and to somehow include Robert.
We caught the train from Derby and Robert from Loughborough and met up at New Street station. Had a quick sandwich and then walked the short walk up to the Town Hall where we found this pylon under construction. Contrary to popular belief, this pylon was not for conducting electricity, but to publicise a Climate Change Festival. The base had been made to look as though it was in a wheat field. I couldn't help but think that this was a total waste of funds and I bet the wheat they used had been especially imported!
Window Shopping...
After a couple of hours shopping, Lucy and I decided that Robert had had a much better idea when he'd headed for the picturesque canal, so we made in that direction and met up for a cup of tea.
Walk Way, Water Fountains, Birmingham
All too soon it was time to head home, but all in all we'd had a very reasonable afternoon...
Half Term...
Monday 26th May
Graham off to America early this morning. During his two and a half
week stay he’ll be visiting Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles
and New York (in that order). Lucy and got up at a much more
leisurely time and I drove down to see my parents – making history as
this is the first time I’ve been able to drive down to see them since
July 07.
We set off with reasonable weather, if a little windy. By the time we
arrived just after noon, it was seriously raining. Undeterred by the
weather we nipped off to see the delights of Bourton-on-the-Water and
made several purchases (most from the gem shop – brilliant shop, but
no website to share with you)
Graham off to America early this morning. During his two and a half
week stay he’ll be visiting Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles
and New York (in that order). Lucy and got up at a much more
leisurely time and I drove down to see my parents – making history as
this is the first time I’ve been able to drive down to see them since
July 07.
We set off with reasonable weather, if a little windy. By the time we
arrived just after noon, it was seriously raining. Undeterred by the
weather we nipped off to see the delights of Bourton-on-the-Water and
made several purchases (most from the gem shop – brilliant shop, but
no website to share with you)
Copse Hill, Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire
Tuesday 27th May
Had an early lunch, home grown pheasant (Lucy’s favourite) and then we took mother to Bourton to have her blood pressure taken. On the way back we stopped off at Copse Hill to take some photographs of this magnificent house. Built in 1872 (over 11 years) from the proceeds of building railways in England, the Continent and in Canada, it’s is truly an amazing building. Thomas Brassey was almost as prolific a builder of railways as Isambard Kingdom Brunel, but somehow history has not honoured him in the same way. When I was little, we had permission to drive through the estate as it was a short cut to our house. On barmy summer evenings my dad would saddle up Cinders (our pony) to the tiny trap we owned and we’d travel along the leafy drive in such style. At that age, I couldn’t appreciate just what a privilege it was, but I knew it was something special – even if we did have to get out and walk up the very steep bits! How I used to pester to hold the reins, after all, at eight, I was practically an expert!
Had an early lunch, home grown pheasant (Lucy’s favourite) and then we took mother to Bourton to have her blood pressure taken. On the way back we stopped off at Copse Hill to take some photographs of this magnificent house. Built in 1872 (over 11 years) from the proceeds of building railways in England, the Continent and in Canada, it’s is truly an amazing building. Thomas Brassey was almost as prolific a builder of railways as Isambard Kingdom Brunel, but somehow history has not honoured him in the same way. When I was little, we had permission to drive through the estate as it was a short cut to our house. On barmy summer evenings my dad would saddle up Cinders (our pony) to the tiny trap we owned and we’d travel along the leafy drive in such style. At that age, I couldn’t appreciate just what a privilege it was, but I knew it was something special – even if we did have to get out and walk up the very steep bits! How I used to pester to hold the reins, after all, at eight, I was practically an expert!
Front View, Copse Hill, Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire
Colonel Brassey (Thomas Brassey’s son) inherited the estate and lived there on his own until his death towards the end of the 70s. The
estate was then broken up and sold off in lots and sadly, our cut
through was cut off. Many wealthy and not so wealthy people have
bought/sold/built on the estate since then. The one famous person
there currently and the owner of what was the stables is the bass
player from Coldplay (but I didn’t tell you that!) The stables are
also famous for an incident involving Ian Flemming’s nephew, but
again, I wouldn’t want to give details here!
The reason for our visit was because the last time I mentioned
Copse Hill in my blog I was contacted by a lady who in researching
her family tree, found that her great aunt was in service there at
the beginning of the century and she had asked me to take some photos (any excuse?). The present owners are a ‘jolly’ couple (92 and 86) and because they have met my parents before, gave us a warm welcome.
The wife showed us a book she has of Lutyen's architecture with a
photograph of the hall which he designed. It has been slightly
modified now, if only through incorporating a Stanner stair lift, but
it is essentially the same.
If the weather was dull on that day, the building certainly wasn’t
and Colin the gardener added some sunshine with his many anecdotes of local ‘goings on’…
estate was then broken up and sold off in lots and sadly, our cut
through was cut off. Many wealthy and not so wealthy people have
bought/sold/built on the estate since then. The one famous person
there currently and the owner of what was the stables is the bass
player from Coldplay (but I didn’t tell you that!) The stables are
also famous for an incident involving Ian Flemming’s nephew, but
again, I wouldn’t want to give details here!
The reason for our visit was because the last time I mentioned
Copse Hill in my blog I was contacted by a lady who in researching
her family tree, found that her great aunt was in service there at
the beginning of the century and she had asked me to take some photos (any excuse?). The present owners are a ‘jolly’ couple (92 and 86) and because they have met my parents before, gave us a warm welcome.
The wife showed us a book she has of Lutyen's architecture with a
photograph of the hall which he designed. It has been slightly
modified now, if only through incorporating a Stanner stair lift, but
it is essentially the same.
If the weather was dull on that day, the building certainly wasn’t
and Colin the gardener added some sunshine with his many anecdotes of local ‘goings on’…
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Where There's A Wheel...
Saturday 24th May
There was an old photo of Ashford In The Water in the paper today, which prompted me to suggest we make it our destination. Robert rang mid morning, desperate for some 'bits' from Maplins. Could we please collect and deliver?
How could we refuse...
There was an old photo of Ashford In The Water in the paper today, which prompted me to suggest we make it our destination. Robert rang mid morning, desperate for some 'bits' from Maplins. Could we please collect and deliver?
How could we refuse...
Well, Well Well...
Ashford In The Water, is indeed a very picturesque village. After a welcome cup of tea in the school, we made our way round the circuit of Well Dressings, watched cricket and then embarked on a long walk.
Up Hill And Down Dale...
The footpath which leads you past the river is full of interesting features. We saw two weirs, a swan, sheep and lambs and at the last style, a field of Lamas!
IN BRIEF
Monday 19th May
Had email on Friday which kept me busy all day. Knitting needed for Hampton Court Flower Show. Could have been great for publicity, but unlikely to 'come off'.
Wednesday 21st May
Lucy at work today, - must get used to this new routine. Sent off cheque for holiday, can't believe that in six weeks time, we'll be in Italy again...
In the evening went for a long walk around Little Eaton. I have been contacted by someone in Australia, who saw my photos of Little Eaton on Flickr. She was at a children's home there during 1958 and would like some photos. Searched Eaton Bank for clues, but didn't find anything conclusive.
Thursday 22nd May
Lucy at work. Taught jewellery class this afternoon, we made handbag charms and they loved it! Picked up Lucy on the way home.
Went for another long walk around Little Eaton. Graham had already found a much more likey place having used Google and Google maps. Turns out the house is on Alfreton Road and is now called Eaton Hill Therapeutic Community. We followed a footpath close by that took us up Eaton Hill. It was quite magical walking through fields full of daisies and celandines, a quick burst of 'The Hill Are Alive'... would not have been out of place! It must have been a well trodden footpath in it's 'hay-day' as it crosses with another one at the top which follows the highest point to Coxbench and beyond. We made our way back via Rigga Lane, past old quarries which now secrete a house or two. There's even a bridge to take you across a point where the footpath would have lay before the quarry was there.
Friday 23rd May
Just managed to get Lucy up in time to come and be a Learning Partner today for my class. "Is that allowed" I hear you ask? Theoretically she should have been trained and have a CRB check, but without her I would have struggled to cope. As it was she was a real star (she had been well briefed) - I couldn't have managed without her.
Disappointment! I was just about to write back to Sarah in Australia when I found a link to Eaton Hill Therapeutic Community on the internet saying it was closed in 2004. However... I also found someone who used to work there, so dropped him a line not quite knowing what to expect...
Excitement! He didn't really know anything, but gave me the telephone number of a lady who used to work with him and who still lives in the village...
Monday 19th May
Had email on Friday which kept me busy all day. Knitting needed for Hampton Court Flower Show. Could have been great for publicity, but unlikely to 'come off'.
Wednesday 21st May
Lucy at work today, - must get used to this new routine. Sent off cheque for holiday, can't believe that in six weeks time, we'll be in Italy again...
In the evening went for a long walk around Little Eaton. I have been contacted by someone in Australia, who saw my photos of Little Eaton on Flickr. She was at a children's home there during 1958 and would like some photos. Searched Eaton Bank for clues, but didn't find anything conclusive.
Thursday 22nd May
Lucy at work. Taught jewellery class this afternoon, we made handbag charms and they loved it! Picked up Lucy on the way home.
Went for another long walk around Little Eaton. Graham had already found a much more likey place having used Google and Google maps. Turns out the house is on Alfreton Road and is now called Eaton Hill Therapeutic Community. We followed a footpath close by that took us up Eaton Hill. It was quite magical walking through fields full of daisies and celandines, a quick burst of 'The Hill Are Alive'... would not have been out of place! It must have been a well trodden footpath in it's 'hay-day' as it crosses with another one at the top which follows the highest point to Coxbench and beyond. We made our way back via Rigga Lane, past old quarries which now secrete a house or two. There's even a bridge to take you across a point where the footpath would have lay before the quarry was there.
Friday 23rd May
Just managed to get Lucy up in time to come and be a Learning Partner today for my class. "Is that allowed" I hear you ask? Theoretically she should have been trained and have a CRB check, but without her I would have struggled to cope. As it was she was a real star (she had been well briefed) - I couldn't have managed without her.
Disappointment! I was just about to write back to Sarah in Australia when I found a link to Eaton Hill Therapeutic Community on the internet saying it was closed in 2004. However... I also found someone who used to work there, so dropped him a line not quite knowing what to expect...
Excitement! He didn't really know anything, but gave me the telephone number of a lady who used to work with him and who still lives in the village...
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