Trip to Tate Liverpool

A tall ship at berth in the Albert Dock Liverpool

Antony Gormley`s Iron Men on Crosby Beach. There are 100 Men 7 foot tall situated along the beach all looking in the same direction.

The Albert Dock the Liver Building in the background

Well the Music Festival was cancelled the day before the opening. The Council Officials said it was due to a lack of funds. It seems odd to me that it was left so late in the day to cancel the event. Some of our poets had hurried back from holiday to attend and I am sure many others were just as disappointed. To top it the weather was terrific all weekend, warm sunshine and vivid blue skies. Typical.
It has been hot and sticky most days wet or dry, I hate this high humidity it so tiring. There have been some very hot days recently which have kept me indoors. I chose one day to go to the movies to see Mama Mia in the air conditioned theatre. I loved the music and the scenery but I thought the story was too weak. Abba are a great favourite of mine, their music always makes me feel good.
Drove over to Middleton Sunday night to the Poetry Gig there where lots of new faces and some great poems shared.
Spent most of the week doing housework. I tend to leave it until it is screaming at me from all corners. I am quite tidy and keep things together but it’s the “bottoming” that I hate. Still its done now so I can relax for another few months. Ha ha.
I can`t believe its August, where is our summer? The shops are full of summer clearance bargains,no one is buying this year. I know I haven`t bought much and I won`t be buying even now at these bargain prices. I don’t think I have worn a dress or a skirt since last summer.And I have worn shoes and socks more than sandals too.
Had a great day out yesterday at the Tate Liverpool. With 48 members of the Women’s Institute we attended the Gustav Klimt Exhibition . Prior to the viewing we had an hours lecture by one of the guides, it was an essential prerequisite to the exhibition and made it so much easier to understand what we where seeing. There where furniture and designs as well as paintings and drawings, some rather exotic as Gustav Klimt was very interested in the female form and had a rather risk`a reputation. I have for many years admired Gustav Klimt`s paintings and have three of his prints on my wall at home. The Kiss: Birch Trees and Mother and Baby. After the exhibition we travelled by coach to Crosby Beach to see Antony Gormleys Iron Men. It was a lovely balmy evening, the sun came out so we enjoyed a walk along the beach where we had the opportunity to take some photos. A tiring but very interesting day.

http://www.gustavklimtcollection.com/

double click on the thumbprint images and their beauty will surprise you.

http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/exhibitions/gustavklimt/tour.shtm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2005/07/05/art_antony_gormley_feature.shtml

The iron men on the beach at Crosby

Decisions; Decisions

Hi
Today we have sunshine with a promise that it will last for a few days and it was hot on the garden. But very pleasant indeed,I took tea on the patio in style. I had been out to lunch with friends, the usual group, girls I went to school with, we attended Derby Street School for Girls many moons ago. It was different then, a happier time without the pressures that today’s school children have to face. We always have lots to talk about . Its been a tough week for me, making decisions with Andrew my son advising me. But I did decide and I am pleased with the outcome and happy to be free of all that angst that I put myself through. I now have a state of the art 32" Digital TV and PVR: Personnel Digital Recorder 250 gigs hard drive 130 hours of recorded TV, will I use all that memory, time will tell.
I love technology and a challenge so I am having fun learning to use this new equipment
I have also signed up for a new digital ! Central Heating Gas Boiler which should use 30% less gas and help reduce my carbon footprint.
On Saturday my thought where with Matt and Nichol in Montana, it was their wedding day.
It would have been so special to have been with all the family once again but it wasn’t possible. I have been close to my cousin Mona and Leonard and their family since we visited Butte Montana in 1972 to attend Laurel ,their daughter and Bills wedding. Alan and I have revisited maybe a dozen time since and we always had a great time. I was last over there in 2005 but it is so far way, as is Australia and Cathy & Co. I know I will probably go again its just the thought of that long haul. I have been very inspired these past weeks writing poetry almost daily and its good too, even though I say it myself. I have no control over this, it takes over my life and then I have a mental block out for weeks. But its so good while it lasts. Our Poets are performing at the local Music Festival on Saturday. I might fill in if there is a slot, always go prepared is my motto. Its sometimes difficult giving everyone the opportunity to read or perform when your watching the clock. It should be a good day out especially if the weather is as today.

Calder Valley

Decorated gable end hidden amongst the trees

View over the valley from Heptonstall

Distinctive sight Weavers houses in the Calder Valley

July 14th
I have started to get back into my usual routine. It takes a few weeks for me to come down from a holiday as there is so much to catch up with especially chores around the house that have been on hold whilst I was getting ready for my holiday. Living alone and being responsible for all that entails takes some organising. Any way all went well and I am up to scratch with commitment, obligations and preparations for Speakers Club that starts back on September, as I am Educational Director which means I am responsible for the monthly programme. Write Out Loud`s committee work seem to be growing at a terrific rate. WOL have started a new monthly Poetry Gig in West Yorkshire at Stubbins Wharf Pub Hebden Bridge organised and run by Sean. Not being familiar with that area I had a ride out to Hebden Bridge with friends and was surprised at how easy the venue was to find, the Pub is on the canal by the main road. As it was a fine day, we toured the area, Todmorden is a pleasant busy little market town and if you follow the main road it leads on to Heptonstall a quaint village high in the hills, cobble streets and cottages it has a `step back in time` feel. On to Mytholmroyd where Ted Hughes was born and soon to have a Ted Hughes Foundation Centre in the Old Railway Station. FRom there we roamed the hills and found some wonderful picturesque treasures hidden off the main highway it was a good day out.
Met up with my good friend Dorothy to debrief about the holiday, photos and memories. The weather wasn’t very good so we went for dinner to a local Italian Restaurant. I had a excellent Lasagne that melted on my tongue, I am so impressed I intend to buy some fresh pasta next time I shop and taste the difference again. We have experienced torrential rain storms and cold winds up to now this summer. After enjoying 95 degree sunshine and blue skies in New England, I find I hate this weather. To top that, fuel is rising at an exorbitant rate and we are being threatened with a recession . I know this is not news to any one but I just want to have a moan.. Something else that set me off too is, I need a new Gas Boiler for my central heating and that is a big priority before the winter. Signed up this week it will be fitted the first week August as it’s the earliest dates I have free. Nice surprise last week the trees that overhang my back garden have been lobbed. Because of the fierce winds we have been experiencing the trees had presented a threat to my home. I had intended speaking to my neighbour, but obviously he had recognised the hazard and acted.. I have more light shining into my windows now, so that has cheered me up. I bought a Teak Patio Set, table chairs and brolly,my old tired out set was dumped a few years ago and I needed a replacement. This was a bargain at the local Garden Centre so I can enjoy eating el fresco again. Yesterday was sunny but I was busy mowing grass and weeding , I will get it out soon. No chance today the sky is dull grey with a cold wind, its the pattern, rare do we get two sunny days together. Moan moan moan.. Sorry

Pay Hebden Bridge a visit

http://www.hebdenbridge.co.uk/tourist-info/info2.html

Sunshine and Rain

Hope you enjoyed Achy Breaky Heart as I much as I did. It certainly cheered me up and got me out of the chair. I went Line Dancing a couple of time but the knees wouldn`t stand it. Love the music though. Also went to French Jive lessons for a while but then again the spirit was eager but the body let me down,love that music too. Well its still pouring down, some horrendous storms again but feeling a bit brighter in myself as between the rain we have had some blue skies and sunshine.

MyAchy Breaky Heart

My Poetry Page

I miss the blue skies, sunshine and space to breath on Cape Cod

I have started a Poetry Blog as many of my family and friends will be more interested in my journel than my poems.And many who read my poems really aren`t interested in my journel. If you want to read my poetry than access the link. The weather has been horrendous since I got back from holiday.Days of wind and rain that beats discription. I honestly thought the trees in the garden would crash and my roof would fly away. And I think I am suffering from SAD "Seasonal Affected Disorder" and in June. I also had some extended dental work that has left me feeling so down and lathargic and miss the beautiful blue skies of New England and the warmth of the sun even though it was too much for me at times, 95 degrees. Went to lunch yesterday, during a torrential storm,as I needed to get out of the house. It was good seeing my friends and having a jolly good natter. Going to the movies tomorrow come hell or high water to see Indiana Jones ,I was so pleased when I saw he was still on the bill, I haven`t had opportunity to go for many weeks.

My Poetry
http://wwwvaleriecookuk.blogspot.com/

New England USA

Cape Cod 50 mile beach

Queyside shops Nantucket

Essex Steam Train

Chalets in the bay on Marthas Vineyard

Arrived home Sunday afternoon tired and weary after travelling for 24hours. Cape Cod to Manchester
Every time I fly long haul I vow it’s for the last time. Then time passes and memories fade and all I remember is the good times, exciting places I have seen and the people I have met. New England is a joy, it has beautiful pristine coastline, unspoilt in places and preserved in splendour. Neat colourful shingle cottages unchanged in style over centuries, you could imagine the pilgrim fathers ,whaling ships and pirates still hiding away somewhere ready to be resurrected. I loved it ,clean ,uncluttered, cared for countryside. It was 95degrees most of the time even by the sea and never dropped below 90. In the city to stop people bringing in their cars the city trolleys were free, so we travelled all over the city when we had some free time.. We started off in Providence Rhode Island and spent five days visiting places in the area. Newport, a coastal resort famous for the large elaborate expensive summer homes bult around the 1890.Mansions complete with ballrooms that they called cottages. These homes were only inhabited for two months a year. serious money people. A few now maintained and renovated by the Preservation Society. We took the fast ferry from New Bedford to Marthas Vineyard a delightful island with villages of neat shingle summer cottages decorated with gingerbread fret work. Quaker Communities built camp sites first tents then chalets that still exist and are used today. So picturesque and quaint. The Blockbuster Jaws was filmed there and during our tour the guide was most most insistent we watch it, as he had been an film extra. It was very hot day and we had difficulty finding shade. Then we sailed over to stay on Nantucket Island for few days ,this is my favourite island unspoilt and charming . So different to Marthas Vineyard in character much more organised and pretty. Both islands are very exclusive with homes costing millions of dollars. The gardens where spectacular, full of colour and fragrant roses. Household staff are flown or sail over each day as there is no accommodation on the island for them. We stayed in the only hotel who could cope with 30 guests situated by the small airport at the far end of the island. . There are lots of tiny craft shop, museums and places of interest. Artists, potters, sculpturs and basket makers live around the island. Initially both island supported Whaling for many years the whale oil was essential for the lamps. It was very interesting to see and hear about that time. The Whaling ships would be away for home for four to five years travelling to the Pacific Ocean to hunt Sperm Whale, because they could harvest more oil from this type of whale. I learned such a lot about whales from the museum guides they were very interesting. Most women stayed home and had to manage without income so became skilled in many crafts. Some Captains families when on the voyages too. Men also manned the Lightships out in the bay for as long as eight months. So they too became skilled in making Nantucket baskets and working Scrimshaw, etching pictures on whale bone and teeth. With the arrival of the much better kerosene for lamps the demand for whale oil diminished and the California gold rush took the men. At the end of our holiday we travelled to Cape Cod to see the fifty mile beach and the lighthouses. Our tour was mainly for Rail enthusiasts. Seven of us from England and twenty three Americans from all over the USA. We rode on Old Steam Locomotives all over the state. On two occasions we had dinner in the 1920 style dining car on the train,rode the rails in the old style parlour carriages with the swinging easy chairs and enjoyed bar service as we rode the coastline and enjoyed the views and the sunsets,magic.We also got to ride the old trolley cars with open sides great fun. It was brilliant, lots of interesting things to see and hear.Gorgeous weather and great company.

Go see these beautiful baskets http://www.nantucketbasketworks.com/

Go see the Gingerbread Cottages on Marthas Vineyard

http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/massachusetts/towns/marthasvineyard/galleries/gingerbread_cottages?pg=8