Lake Coniston & The Fourth Plinth

Victorian Luxury inside the boat

S.Y. Gondola

20th August 2009
This month three of my grandchildren have reached a significant time in their lives. My granddaughter is 21 years old on the 17th and two of my grandsons are 17 years old on the 20 & 21st of this month, yes they where born only hours apart, what a wonderful day that was. Both are now eager to have driving lessons. . Even though this is a two edged sword , there is danger out there but I accept that they have to learn as driving is an essential tool for life.
My new internet connection via talktalk is excellent, no problem setting up and I have all the same interface with AOL as before. It wasn’t as easy for my friend Muriel who had the same deal .It was a three day nightmare but I managed to get it up and running. We could not get a signal on her Router for days and the help guys insisted we had a faulty line connection which didn’t stack up. So we began tweaking! filters swapped and disconnecting extension phones. and then miraculously we had a signal. Simple solutions but it all takes time and is so stressful.
Many families in our road have lived as neighbours for over 45years, we are all reaching the zenith of our days. George, a quiet and gentle man passed on this month and we went to his funeral it was a sad occasion . The Chapel was full to capacity, I was pleased for his two sons who he raised from infancy after his wife died of cancer, early in their marriage.
Monday 17th Louise Coulson a friend and poet was on the Fourth Plinth on Trafalgar square for an hour as part of the Anthony Gormley a four month living statue project,she chose to read Poetry. A few of us are in the draw which finishes in October. it’s a 24/7 live feed on the internet. Louise and Tabitha, lucky girls, have now been on the Plinth and I am waiting with two other friends to see if we get chosen for the last month October.
It was a heart stopping moment when Louise started to read one of my poems “Chocolate” totally unexpected and a great privilege to be sharing a small moment of her hour on the Plinth. She read other poems written by members of our poetry community and promoted Bolton. She was relaxed and so at home on there, she was brilliant.

Louise on the plinth .http://www.oneandother.co.uk/participants/Louise_C
Click on the One & Only picture to the left and you will go to the current pinther.

Enjoyed a wonderful day in the Lake District, Muriel and I booked a 90 minute sail on the Steam Yacht Gondola on Lake Coniston.A beautifully restored Victorian boat, powered by steam it was so quiet, smooth and delightful and we enjoyed a commentary from the skipper on people who lived past and present on the Lake. John Ruskin and Arthur Ransome Malcolm Campbell & Bluebird being the most famous. Usually seating 45 persons there where only a few of us on board so we had plenty of space to explore. It was raining heavily as we drove up the Motorway but the sunshine came out as soon as the yacht appeared at the dock .Afterward we drove into Windermere for tea. After all the stress of the previous week and the Internet connection trouble we deserved this day.

Another Poetry Slam

July performing at Middleton Poetry Night

Another busy couple of weeks .My lawn mower was out of commission for a week had to have new electrics and boy was my grass high when it came back. I seem to have spent most of the summer rescuing my lawns from becoming meadows. The mix of rain and sunshine encourages the grass to grow very fast. There is a product on the market that will slow this growth down, so I am seriously looking into it.
Drove over to Harrogate to see my son`s new home. It’s a very spacious cottage situated in a village just outside of the town. Spent a lovely day with son and grandson and it didn’t rain. Attended a joint birthday party, two friends had open house on Saturday it was a good day I really enjoyed it. Was asked to be a Judge at the NorthWest Superhero`s Poetry Slam in Wigan Monday evening, I was somewhat apprehensive as this was my first time Judging but I found it surprisingly easy. I enjoyed the evening and the best man won, Pete was third but non the less his performance was good, but the winner was exceptional and goes forward to the final in October.
I am changing to another ISP / Phone package from AOL to Talk Talk on the 6th so I will be totally involved making the switch, just hope it isn’t too complicated. I will save £20 a month, with free phone calls evenings and weekends, I hope the service is as good as the say.
We have been promised sunshine this weekend,I wont hold my breath. Love you all,take care.

Another Really Bad Summer

Donkeys on Blackpool Beach

Wet and windy Blackpool



Well the weather isn’t improving any, still heavy rain and sunshine,we were promised a wonderful summer but its August next week and no way has it been wonderful so far. I bucked up a little when my cabinet arrived,designed by me and built by Adrian Brodie Carpenter Par Excellence. For ages I have been looking for a dressing table to fit in a specific area of my bedroom that would alloweasy access to the loft ladder, but there isn’t one . I am so pleased with the cabinet it is beautifully made and looks just right where it is. All I need now is four deep wicker baskets to fit into the squares in place of drawers, a very modern concept.So I am now on the hunt for wicker baskets.
Drove into Yorkshire with my friend Janet to another Poetry Grand Slam at The Hole in the Wall Hebden Bridge. It was a lovely warm evening so we stayed on until late to soak up the great Post Slam atmosphere. Sophie Hall won and Pete Crompton, with a broken ankle, came a close second.
Andrew and I have been busy clearing out the garage. Over the years (45years) it has slowly filled with nothing less than junk. After numerous trips to the Council Refuse Depot we can see a real difference, its so tidy and much easier for me to park the car. Thanks Andrew X
More lunches this month twelve of us celebrated Diana`s 72nd birthday on the 15th .Then on the 16th into Blackpool via train, for our monthly school reunion lunch. Jaqui our hostess on this occasion had moved to Blackpool she invited us over. It was good day I enjoyed myself in spite of the weather.
I went to see new Harry Potter film and wasn’t disappointed it is still one of the best fantasy films around and later in the week saw my all time favourite Johnny Depp in “ Public Enemies” . It was good, well written and Johnny was perfect in the role of John Dillinger, another excellent show.

Heatwave and Thunder Storms

Gosh its been humid and hot this past week interspersed with heavy rain. My conservatory roof is leaking now due to the seals melting with the sun I will have to get it seen too soon as its too high for me to get up there... The Papers say it is hotter than Rio today and I believe them. There is no air , I have two fans going, hang the electricity bills and my carbon footprint. Had my hair cut short again although I am never happy with it short but its much easier to cope with in the summer. Out to lunch too many times this month. I keep saying I will refuse these invitations but when friends invite you and have travelled a distance its hard to say no. A school friend came up from Conwy Wales with her daughter who I haven’t met before. Also my friend and her three darling little daughters came over from New Zealand to see her family, I had a good romp and a cuddle with these delightful children and will be seeing them all again when I join their grandparents in New Zealand this winter. Wonderful. Been otherwise quiet as most people are away on summer holidays . I have not felt like doing much but have attended a few poetry sessions. A video of me reading a rather obscure poem was posted on "You Tube". The poems was written in response to a discussion on `What is Poetry`. Oh my voice I’ll never speak again. I blame the recording quality I am sure I don’t sound like that really.
Attended the Radio Four North West Poetry Slam that WOL was hosting in Manchester. Brilliant Slammers pity my favourite Pete Crompton didn’t get through ,but the winners Mike Wilson and Ben Mellor deservedly won and will go forward to the next stage..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyYzVfFTvLQ. copy & paste into URL
See me not at my best though.

Trips Out

Brief Encounter film in showing in Carnforth Railway Museum where it was filmed.

Boat trip on the Lancaster Canal

Port Sunlight Homes

More Port Sunlight Homes

Hopped on to a train last week and went into Manchester. My it was hot, due to the high rise buildings and the concrete, I should know to keep away from town when its hot. But I took my time and hit the shops with air conditioning and had leisurely lunch in a good restaurant. Came home with a few bargains but tired out. Had a special treat when my grandson came round with his dad and we had a few hours play on the garden and then the computer. He is so quick he can leave me standing for speed on any PC. Booked my fight to Australia with Netflight.com, managed to get a good deal on United Emirates which was better than the prices quoted on other Airline websites. Earlier in the week I met up with a friend and we toured around the Wirral area of Liverpool A place I have never visited before it was interesting. Port Sunlight was especially interesting I have never had the opportunity to see it in the sunshine it has always been terrible weather each time we went there. Lord Leverhulme family own the Soap Manufacturer Lever Brothers . A great Philanthropist in his day who built a village to house his workers, which is still a delightful place to visit. There is the Lady Lever Art Gallery and other building worth seeing. He is also linked to the Chinese gardens on Rivington that he had designed to compliment the bungalow he built on the hillside, remember I climbed it at Easter with Betty.
Go see the village http://www.portsunlightvillage.com

Had a lovely surprise this week, Lynda my friend brought me the Head of David.!! A small version of Michelangelo’s statue’s head . She had been to Florence on holiday and as I had not been able to find a David replica during my trip to Italy (I was so disappointed) she was good enough to get me a fine sculpted head ,he has such a distinctive profile. I will hope to get a full version of the statue some day
Go see he is so beautiful. http://goitaly.about.com/od/florenceitaly/ig/Florence-Picture-Galleries/Florence-Davide-11.htm

Thursday I went on a coach trip with ladies from our WI to Carnforth Railway Museum, on the coast Morecombe way. Brilliant day out we had lunch at the excellent Longlands Hotel, then took a leisurely cruise down the Lancaster canal and to top it, sunshine all day. The weather this past week has been unsettling with hot and cold wet spells, this next week we have been promised sunshine but we will see ! Actually had my sunlounger out for a day of relaxation in the garden, read a good book and chilled out . So different from last year, when I spent not one day on my lounger due to the it being cold and wet, 2008 was a long winter.

http://www.carnforthstation.co.uk

Speed Awareness Course

Ruins of Roman Theatre Aosta
Italian Alps
I am sorry I haven’t been fit enough to write anything this past week because of a dental abscess. What an horrendous experience, I have never felt pain like this since childbirth
Now the tooth is out and I am back to normal and enjoying this wonderful sunny weather.
I blame not having sufficient water to drink during the last few days of our stay in Venice. The bottle water was so expensive and at time we couldn’t get enough to satisfy our thirst. Consequence of this is a dry mouth which can often lead to infection. Be warned.
Got back into my routine easily enough, attended two excellent poetry sessions and one major Poetry Slam, I was actually inspired to write a couple of poems or at least start them this week.
On the 27th I attended the Speed Awareness Course in Flintshire, I was caught doing 36miles an hour during the short break I took in Llandudno. Unfortunately one has to return to the scene to attend the course. I was surprised how much I learned. I qualified in 1976 and hadn’t realised how much the Highway Code had changed, it was a very informative afternoon. I suggest anyone who is doubtful of traffic restrictions and rules read a Highway Code, or go to ---
www.highwaycode.gov.org.uk Before you get caught out like me.

Had a long chat to Cathy at the weekend, and we discussed my going out for Christmas so I have been looking into flights to Australia, its three year since I was there and the prices have rocketed with government surcharges and fuel supplements on long haul flights. Still it will be worth it to see Cathy and the kids again.

Italian Holiday

Milan Cathedral
Gondolos on the Grand Canal Venice

16th May 2009
Arrived home very tired after a 24hour train journey across Europe. The Sleeper Train from Venice to Paris was a unique experience. Dorothy and I struggled and laughed most of the time, being in such a confined area climbing over two large suitcases and a ladder to wash and dress in no more room than a large wardrobe. The bed was as uncomfortable as lying on the pavement but I did sleep quite well so I can`t complain, as many did about the noise. The journey across Paris from Bercy Station to Paris Nord took 1hour 30minutes due a demonstration/riot in the centre of the capital. But we got the train home in plenty time.
The holiday was brilliant, very intensive, lots of travelling but we saw so much. Based in Turin for 6days we knew the city well by the end of the visit. Took a train to Genoa on the coast, a four hour boat ride to Larcano on the shores of lake Maggiore, then spent a day in Oasta high in the snow covered Italian Alps. We also stopped off in Milan, on our way into Venice. Loved all the sights, the architecture magnificence buildings churches, Piazzas, the history and original art. The trip was certainly packed with excitement but it was very hot ,very very expensive and demanding. We had a four day waterbus pass and toured the 40 odd islands that make Venice so unique during free time. I doubt I will be going on another such intensive tour again though. I did enjoyed the tour but it was the packed to capacity transport systems, vast crowds of people everywhere, not enough seats or shade in 40 degree heat and the expense that has put me off. The Euro was worth 82p in the £, small bottle water = 2.50 E, small beer = 7E, Toilets =1.50E Average tourist lunch 15E + cover charge and 12% service charge in places. Just extraordinary expense of £5 a day for drinking water alone. Prior to leaving for Italy Dorothy and I stayed over a night in London. We saw the the musical “The Jersey Boys” at the Prince Edward Theatre. The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons it was so uplifting and performed to perfection. I recalled all the songs and sang to most them, loved it.