Ride an Ice Swan

Seasons Greetings to all our readers  ~8l:-D

Just got back from a fun packed weekend in the Metrop. Yes it's birthday time again - seems to come round on a regular basis!!












Started with a trip up the Shard. Amazin lifts travelling @ 15 mph - but you hardly feel the movement (not like the old ones that left your stomach on the lift floor!). Quite amazing viewing the whole of London in miniature from a flippin great hight. Trains looking like model railways, buildings in a model village and toy boats floating up the Thames. Feels like your in Lilliput.

Next day onto Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park (no, nothing like the shambles in MiltonKeynes) this one just gets bigger n better every year. And this year a special event. An ice sculpture giant marque. Kept at a constant -8 degrees There were lifesize giants and dragons, all kinds of animals. A full size castle with stocks, prison and ice slide down to the moat :) The wander back through the Bavarian Village and the many craft stores surrounded by the smells of burning wood, waffles, doughnuts, mulled cider et al was just heady. 

Even an ice bar!

Don't know if you've read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" by Mark Haddon - now a modern classic and a truly original and inspirational book. Wasn't sure how this would transfer to the stage but the National Theatre, Simon Stephens, Mark Haddon and Mike Noble worked their magic to create a truly memorable performance.
(add: Know I said it was a cracking play but this Thursdays performance seems to have brought the roof down!)












Drinks in Soho and supper in Jamie Olivers - how else would you end a perfect day in perfect company. 

L'automne est arrivé

Westonburt Arboretum is undoubtedly one of the best places to view natures autumn colours - never fails to disappoint. Sunday was a near perfect autumnal day. Clear blue sky, nip in the air and trees bedecked in colour.

The Forest of Dean is equally colourfull with many interesting trails to explore.

Talkin' Talkin

Talkin Tarn is near the historic market town of Brampton. Within a mature woodland covering around 150 acres it contains a glacial tarn with views of the Pennine Hills as a backdrop.

On a wonderful autumn day Sis and I walked the circular path around the tarn starting, and ending, at the renovated boathouse with its tearoom and gift shop.

The Tarn has traditionally been used for recreation since at least the middle of the 1800's. It was a popular destination for Victorians from Brampton and Carlisle and accessed by train from the North East. There are two traditional boat houses, one converted to a bird hide the other an artists studio.

One Fine Day

... in a pretty wet week up north :(

Ullswater  often misses out to Keswick, Windemere et al when touring the Lake District but it is well worth the extra few miles north - it is, after all, the second largest lake in the park. This time last year it was in full autumnal colour. It is on the change but still mainly green. 








At the south end of the lake is Pooley Bridge. A picturesque little village centre with a wonderful cafe - Granny Dowbekin's Tearooms - that does delicious home cooked meals.


Follow the path from the village car park to the walk down to, and around, the lake. The old ferry boats can be seen plying their tourist trade from the pier opposite - or better still take a trip round the lake.

Leaving Pooley Bridge lakeside via the small bridge and heading toward Patterdale you pass the entrance to the amazing Aira Force. For the energetic the walk/climb up the Force is amazing - with a nice log tea room at the base for refreshment on your return. For the less energetic turn right just after the entrance to Aira. At the brow, after a steep incline, is a parking place adjacent to a path with a walkway down to middle force from where you can take the easy walk to high force.

  

Chelt Lit Fest 13

Yes it's that time of year again but this time we have gone, arguably, for the quality rather than the quantity. Easing in gently with Ian Rankin - of Rebus fame - and Linwood Barclay. I came across Linwood, an American born now Canadian writer after I had exhausted my usual authors stocks. On Kindle I turned to Harlan Coben who, in turn, recommended LB. A prolific writer with a colourful background.

Today started with a heavy debate about the effect of equality on social mobility, chaired by  Andrew Neil the panel consisted Polly Toynbee, Alan Johnson and David Davies. Polly got the best ovation for a spirited defense of Early Years and Sure Start, David Davies got a tick for opposing university tuition fees (more robustly than any LibDem I feel) but to be honest it felt more like tinkering round the edges than confronting the 'inherent contradiction in capitalism'!

Onto something much lighter :) Jack Whitehall + Dad made a great pair, each a great raconteur with completely different styles. A set amiably held together by Nick Hewer.

... finishing tomorrow with the inimitable Derek Jacobi

Not Quite Autumn Gold

Returning to Highnam Court for their annual 'autumn gold' it felt more like a summers day with much of the flora still a lush green - with only a few signs of seasonal change.

The damp grass abounded with fungi which Marion tells me is a good sign of an organic, pesticide free environment.

The estate gardens, lakes and tree carvings make it a must visit but whilst there don't miss the local Holy Innocents church with its amazing internal decor. 

' The Holy Innocents Church, Highnam, is a Grade I Listed Building, one of the most significant Victorian churches in the country. It is situated with the other community buildings on the outskirts of the village. The church was commissioned by Thomas Gambier Parry the owner of the nearby Highnam Court, and was consecrated in 1851. The architecture is gothic revival style, and the church is decorated throughout with frescos painted by Thomas Gambier Parry. Hubert Parry, his son, inherited the estate and is best remembered for his musical setting for Blake’s poem ‘Jerusalem’ and much other memorable church music'.