Flickr meet.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Mini flickr meet!!
Travelled down to near Wigan to meet up with fellow flikrite Mark, his wife and the girls. We had a great day walking the canal and the woods near their house, swapping cameras and photo stories. Good time was had by all!
Friday, May 26, 2006
One little bit of sunshine
This is the only time we have seen the sun in what seems like weeks, and it onl ycame out for half a day!!!. Everything is soaked through and it's still raining. Any hopes of us setting off for the weekend camping are out of the window at the moment as everywhere is water-logged and our street is still flooded.
Hoping for a little sunshine later in the week as we have the whole week off for half term holiday!
Hoping for a little sunshine later in the week as we have the whole week off for half term holiday!
Sunday, May 21, 2006
The Ladyewell story
The following account is taken from the book "Fermanagh - the Native Chief and Clans" written by Thomas Maguire.
"Between the Yorkshire hills and the Irish sea, in a countryside which is still fertile, stands the little Shrine of Ladyewell at Fernyhalgh, in the township of Broughton, about four miles north of Preston.
The date of it's origin is somewhat obscure, but despite the vicissitudes of life around it, the holy atmosphere of this little shrine has remained, and even to the present day there are pilgrimages to it, just as there used to be in generations past. 'The history of Ladyewell's origin is a very romantic one.
Centuries ago when the sons of Ireland, imbued with the fever of unrest, were roaming throughout the distant parts of the world, the circumstances arose which led to the founding of this shrine.
It was a day in autumn, when the elements were battling and causing a great destruction, a heavily laden galley was making very poor progress northward against a tempestuous Irish sea.
The owner of the galley was Fergus Maguire, a younger son of a Chief of Fermanagh who, rich with the efforts of his trading gathered in many remote parts, was returning to his native land.
Day and night he and his crew had laboured without making much headway. So discouraged did his crew become that, throwing down their oars, they resigned themselves to their death, which indeed they thought was inevitable. Fergus, on the other hand, had no such ideas of resignation, and continued to man the helm until with one mighty surge the sea rested it from his grasp.
Then it was that this brave man felt in his extremity the necessity for prayer, and, falling down upon his knees, he besought Almighty God to come to his assistance, vowing that in the event of his deliverance he would perform some pious action. The storm did not abate, but the ship rode it safely, and finally reached the safety of a sheltered estuary.
\nTired after the strenuous battle, Fergus retired to rest. While he slept he heard a heavenly voice crying "Go to Fernyhalgh and there where thou shalt find a crabtree having coreless fruit hanging over a shrine, build me a chapel". When he awoke, the Irishman began his inquiries among the inhabitants of the then little port of Liverpool, concerning the place called Fernyhalgh. Of all he asked, no one could tell him anything about it, or where it was situated. Leaving his galley in the hands of his foster father he set out to find Fernyhalgh. Far and wide he travelled into many strange places, and &127;mongst many strange people. The manner of his reception varied greatly! Some, on hearing his enquiry, would openly scoff at him.\n\nIt was twilight of a November day that Fergus, being very weary from his travels, drew rein before the gate of a small house situated on an incline with many outhouses about it. The lady of the house stood on the gateway, and her demeanour suggested that she was impatiently awaiting for someone's return. Soon he learned that it was the good lady's maid who had taken the cows to the pastures and was very late in returning. Fergus asked if he could be of assistance to her, but she declined his offer, so leaving her to her vigil he entered the house to rest. Soon he was aroused by the sound of voices, and heard the matron scolding her maid for not returning home sooner. "Nay mistress" said the girl in reply. "It is not my fault. The Dun cow, who is never quiet at her feeding, had strayed further than usual. I found her at Fernyhalgh". Here Fergus interposed, and on ascertaining that there was such a place as Fernyhalgh, was told by the mistress that it was three miles from where they were. The maid, proof that she had been there, displayed a gnarled and twisted branch, which, she said, she had broken off the apple tree near the spring. The branch was nearly leafless, but had a few crab apples adhering to it and on examining the fruits, Fergus discovered that they were coreless, just as he had been told in the vision. The next day Fergus and the main, Hilda, set out for Fernyhalgh, the place for which he had sought for do long. They crossed the common which lay between the village of Preston and the boundaries of the farm.
Tired after the strenuous battle, Fergus retired to rest. While he slept he heard a heavenly voice crying "Go to Fernyhalgh and there where thou shalt find a crabtree having coreless fruit hanging over a shrine, build me a chapel".
When he awoke, the Irishman began his inquiries among the inhabitants of the then little port of Liverpool, concerning the place called Fernyhalgh. Of all he asked, no one could tell him anything about it, or where it was situated. Leaving his galley in the hands of his foster father he set out to find Fernyhalgh. Far and wide he travelled into many strange places, and &127;mongst many strange people. The manner of his reception varied greatly! Some, on hearing his enquiry, would openly scoff at him.
It was twilight of a November day that Fergus, being very weary from his travels, drew rein before the gate of a small house situated on an incline with many outhouses about it. The lady of the house stood on the gateway, and her demeanour suggested that she was impatiently awaiting for someone's return. Soon he learned that it was the good lady's maid who had taken the cows to the pastures and was very late in returning. Fergus asked if he could be of assistance to her, but she declined his offer, so leaving her to her vigil he entered the house to rest. Soon he was aroused by the sound of voices, and heard the matron scolding her maid for not returning home sooner. "Nay mistress" said the girl in reply. "It is not my fault. The Dun cow, who is never quiet at her feeding, had strayed further than usual. I found her at Fernyhalgh".
Here Fergus interposed, and on ascertaining that there was such a place as Fernyhalgh, was told by the mistress that it was three miles from where they were. The maid, proof that she had been there, displayed a gnarled and twisted branch, which, she said, she had broken off the apple tree near the spring. The branch was nearly leafless, but had a few crab apples adhering to it and on examining the fruits, Fergus discovered that they were coreless, just as he had been told in the vision. The next day Fergus and the main, Hilda, set out for Fernyhalgh, the place for which he had sought for do long. They crossed the common which lay between the village of Preston and the boundaries of the farm.
She told Fergus of her own home which was on the edge of the hollow in which the well land how on the death of her parents, the neighbours had been so kind to her. She told him of Oswald, their neighbours' son, of whom, he divined, she was very fond. When at last they reached the well, and the traveller assured himself that it really was the right place, he said a prayer of thanksgiving and made a promise that Oswald should have a chief place amongst the church. After the founder had made his thanksgiving, little Hilda offered up her prayer, the first of countless which were to follow in the centuries to come from devoted pilgrims who visited the Holy Shrine. It was while Fergus was looking round the site of the future church, that he, picking up a large stone, observed a tracery upon it in the shape of Mother and Child. At once he realised that Our Lady had been honoured here before, and that it was her wish to have this place again for herself. The Maguire clan in Fermanagh had their own breed of cow called the Dun Cow. It was a cream coloured beast. Was it a coincidence that the cow in the story was a Dun Cow? the story was a Dun Cow? .
"Between the Yorkshire hills and the Irish sea, in a countryside which is still fertile, stands the little Shrine of Ladyewell at Fernyhalgh, in the township of Broughton, about four miles north of Preston.
The date of it's origin is somewhat obscure, but despite the vicissitudes of life around it, the holy atmosphere of this little shrine has remained, and even to the present day there are pilgrimages to it, just as there used to be in generations past. 'The history of Ladyewell's origin is a very romantic one.
Centuries ago when the sons of Ireland, imbued with the fever of unrest, were roaming throughout the distant parts of the world, the circumstances arose which led to the founding of this shrine.
It was a day in autumn, when the elements were battling and causing a great destruction, a heavily laden galley was making very poor progress northward against a tempestuous Irish sea.
The owner of the galley was Fergus Maguire, a younger son of a Chief of Fermanagh who, rich with the efforts of his trading gathered in many remote parts, was returning to his native land.
Day and night he and his crew had laboured without making much headway. So discouraged did his crew become that, throwing down their oars, they resigned themselves to their death, which indeed they thought was inevitable. Fergus, on the other hand, had no such ideas of resignation, and continued to man the helm until with one mighty surge the sea rested it from his grasp.
Then it was that this brave man felt in his extremity the necessity for prayer, and, falling down upon his knees, he besought Almighty God to come to his assistance, vowing that in the event of his deliverance he would perform some pious action. The storm did not abate, but the ship rode it safely, and finally reached the safety of a sheltered estuary.
\nTired after the strenuous battle, Fergus retired to rest. While he slept he heard a heavenly voice crying "Go to Fernyhalgh and there where thou shalt find a crabtree having coreless fruit hanging over a shrine, build me a chapel". When he awoke, the Irishman began his inquiries among the inhabitants of the then little port of Liverpool, concerning the place called Fernyhalgh. Of all he asked, no one could tell him anything about it, or where it was situated. Leaving his galley in the hands of his foster father he set out to find Fernyhalgh. Far and wide he travelled into many strange places, and &127;mongst many strange people. The manner of his reception varied greatly! Some, on hearing his enquiry, would openly scoff at him.\n\nIt was twilight of a November day that Fergus, being very weary from his travels, drew rein before the gate of a small house situated on an incline with many outhouses about it. The lady of the house stood on the gateway, and her demeanour suggested that she was impatiently awaiting for someone's return. Soon he learned that it was the good lady's maid who had taken the cows to the pastures and was very late in returning. Fergus asked if he could be of assistance to her, but she declined his offer, so leaving her to her vigil he entered the house to rest. Soon he was aroused by the sound of voices, and heard the matron scolding her maid for not returning home sooner. "Nay mistress" said the girl in reply. "It is not my fault. The Dun cow, who is never quiet at her feeding, had strayed further than usual. I found her at Fernyhalgh". Here Fergus interposed, and on ascertaining that there was such a place as Fernyhalgh, was told by the mistress that it was three miles from where they were. The maid, proof that she had been there, displayed a gnarled and twisted branch, which, she said, she had broken off the apple tree near the spring. The branch was nearly leafless, but had a few crab apples adhering to it and on examining the fruits, Fergus discovered that they were coreless, just as he had been told in the vision. The next day Fergus and the main, Hilda, set out for Fernyhalgh, the place for which he had sought for do long. They crossed the common which lay between the village of Preston and the boundaries of the farm.
Tired after the strenuous battle, Fergus retired to rest. While he slept he heard a heavenly voice crying "Go to Fernyhalgh and there where thou shalt find a crabtree having coreless fruit hanging over a shrine, build me a chapel".
When he awoke, the Irishman began his inquiries among the inhabitants of the then little port of Liverpool, concerning the place called Fernyhalgh. Of all he asked, no one could tell him anything about it, or where it was situated. Leaving his galley in the hands of his foster father he set out to find Fernyhalgh. Far and wide he travelled into many strange places, and &127;mongst many strange people. The manner of his reception varied greatly! Some, on hearing his enquiry, would openly scoff at him.
It was twilight of a November day that Fergus, being very weary from his travels, drew rein before the gate of a small house situated on an incline with many outhouses about it. The lady of the house stood on the gateway, and her demeanour suggested that she was impatiently awaiting for someone's return. Soon he learned that it was the good lady's maid who had taken the cows to the pastures and was very late in returning. Fergus asked if he could be of assistance to her, but she declined his offer, so leaving her to her vigil he entered the house to rest. Soon he was aroused by the sound of voices, and heard the matron scolding her maid for not returning home sooner. "Nay mistress" said the girl in reply. "It is not my fault. The Dun cow, who is never quiet at her feeding, had strayed further than usual. I found her at Fernyhalgh".
Here Fergus interposed, and on ascertaining that there was such a place as Fernyhalgh, was told by the mistress that it was three miles from where they were. The maid, proof that she had been there, displayed a gnarled and twisted branch, which, she said, she had broken off the apple tree near the spring. The branch was nearly leafless, but had a few crab apples adhering to it and on examining the fruits, Fergus discovered that they were coreless, just as he had been told in the vision. The next day Fergus and the main, Hilda, set out for Fernyhalgh, the place for which he had sought for do long. They crossed the common which lay between the village of Preston and the boundaries of the farm.
She told Fergus of her own home which was on the edge of the hollow in which the well land how on the death of her parents, the neighbours had been so kind to her. She told him of Oswald, their neighbours' son, of whom, he divined, she was very fond. When at last they reached the well, and the traveller assured himself that it really was the right place, he said a prayer of thanksgiving and made a promise that Oswald should have a chief place amongst the church. After the founder had made his thanksgiving, little Hilda offered up her prayer, the first of countless which were to follow in the centuries to come from devoted pilgrims who visited the Holy Shrine. It was while Fergus was looking round the site of the future church, that he, picking up a large stone, observed a tracery upon it in the shape of Mother and Child. At once he realised that Our Lady had been honoured here before, and that it was her wish to have this place again for herself. The Maguire clan in Fermanagh had their own breed of cow called the Dun Cow. It was a cream coloured beast. Was it a coincidence that the cow in the story was a Dun Cow? the story was a Dun Cow? .
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Ladyewell pilgrimage 2006
Today we went on the annual pilgrimage to Lancashire's own shrine. It's a delighful place and despite the heavy rain a couple of hundred people turned up. Our favourite part is the stations of the cross in the woods.Thought you might a look and a listen. Let the video stream in jerkily as always then play again if need be.
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing
Friday, May 19, 2006
Spike
It's non-uniform today at our grandson's school. He wanted to look good and I had to gel and spike his hair. He was delighted!! He kept patting it so much he squashed the top down!! :O)
My wet green world.
We've had rain for several days now so I haven't had chance to get back on my bike and gain my confidence back. Just waiting now this weekend for the sun to come out for 10 minutes and we wil be off cycling along the canal again.
The greens are beautiful with all the rain and the gardens are breathtakingly rich!
The greens are beautiful with all the rain and the gardens are breathtakingly rich!
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Ouch... it should have been on my head
Oh dear .. fell off my bike the other day.. ended up in hospital and now sporting cuts and bruises and a lovely black eye. Ok I know I wasn't wearing my helmet.
Will next time though!!
Will next time though!!
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Easter in France
Just got back from two weeks in France. The weather was cold and grey most of the time but it was good to relax and chill out. We flew from Liverpool which was superb and took only 1 hour 20 minutes. We managed to thaw out by the second week and we did have a couple of nice days then... looking forward to our summer there.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Arnside
We had a fabulous day at Arnside. We left here in pouring rain but as we moved west and north it cleared up and we ended up in glorious sunshine. We walked up to Arnside Knott and then watched as the tide rushed in to fill the estuary. Perfect. Next time we shall take the tent and camp there.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Sunday colours
History of Mothering sunday
Most Sundays in the year churchgoers in England worship at their nearest parish or "daughter church".
Centuries ago it was considered important for people to return to their home or "mother" church once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their "mother" church, or the main church or Cathedral of the area.
Inevitably the return to the "mother" church became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home. (It was quite common in those days for children to leave home for work once they were ten years old.)
And most historians think that it was the return to the "Mother" church which led to the tradition of children, particularly those working as domestic servants, or as apprentices, being given the day off to visit their mother and family.
As they walked along the country lanes, children would pick wild flowers or violets to take to church or give to their mother as a small gift.
Most Sundays in the year churchgoers in England worship at their nearest parish or "daughter church".
Centuries ago it was considered important for people to return to their home or "mother" church once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their "mother" church, or the main church or Cathedral of the area.
Inevitably the return to the "mother" church became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home. (It was quite common in those days for children to leave home for work once they were ten years old.)
And most historians think that it was the return to the "Mother" church which led to the tradition of children, particularly those working as domestic servants, or as apprentices, being given the day off to visit their mother and family.
As they walked along the country lanes, children would pick wild flowers or violets to take to church or give to their mother as a small gift.
Taken from BBC website.
Most Sundays in the year churchgoers in England worship at their nearest parish or "daughter church".
Centuries ago it was considered important for people to return to their home or "mother" church once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their "mother" church, or the main church or Cathedral of the area.
Inevitably the return to the "mother" church became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home. (It was quite common in those days for children to leave home for work once they were ten years old.)
And most historians think that it was the return to the "Mother" church which led to the tradition of children, particularly those working as domestic servants, or as apprentices, being given the day off to visit their mother and family.
As they walked along the country lanes, children would pick wild flowers or violets to take to church or give to their mother as a small gift.
Most Sundays in the year churchgoers in England worship at their nearest parish or "daughter church".
Centuries ago it was considered important for people to return to their home or "mother" church once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their "mother" church, or the main church or Cathedral of the area.
Inevitably the return to the "mother" church became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home. (It was quite common in those days for children to leave home for work once they were ten years old.)
And most historians think that it was the return to the "Mother" church which led to the tradition of children, particularly those working as domestic servants, or as apprentices, being given the day off to visit their mother and family.
As they walked along the country lanes, children would pick wild flowers or violets to take to church or give to their mother as a small gift.
Taken from BBC website.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Raining today!
Well it's supposed to be spring now but hasn't stopped raining today. The forecast for the weekend is a little better so fingers crossed.
Everyone full of cold and coughing and sneezing abounds. Off out to blow the cobwebs aways tomorrow weather permitting.
The new Camera is fabulous and I love it. Lots of buttons and dials to play with and the results are lovely. This one was taken outside my door today.
Everyone full of cold and coughing and sneezing abounds. Off out to blow the cobwebs aways tomorrow weather permitting.
The new Camera is fabulous and I love it. Lots of buttons and dials to play with and the results are lovely. This one was taken outside my door today.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Indoor activities
Well what a March!! After a perfect winter we all entered March with enthusiasm for an early spring. What did we get?...... Snow, rain, winds and freezing temperatures. Haven't been able to get out with the boots on or even take any outdoor photos. We are half way through now and I am making birthday presents and cards as an aid to keeping my artitistc side happy!
Hoping for some sun soon!!
Hoping for some sun soon!!
Sunday, March 12, 2006
New tent arrived
Well we were so excited yesterday as our new tent arrived. We used to go camping when we were very young and then up to 6 years ago we had a 1960s type vw camper van. We miss camping so much we decided to start up again. unfortunately our little Ford Ka will not tow (it is illegal to tow with one) so we have gone for a tent in the meantime. It came yesterday and as the weather was so awful we decided to erect it in the kitchen as far as we could. It only took us about 5 mins to erect the body of the tent.. so easy. It's a Khyam Freelander and looks like it will be fun. We even managed to get it back in the bag!!!
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Our winter wonderland
It may be March but we drew back our curtains this morning to discover this spectacular view. We were delighted. It is bitterly cold but so beautiful with very bright sunshine and a fair covering of snow. I have to say it is the first real snow of the winter. We had a sprinkling in November one day and half a day last week but this is for real!!
Gotta go.. off sledging!!
Gotta go.. off sledging!!
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Winter's early morning long shadows
Into March already and although it feels bitterly cold I do get the feeling Spring is just around the corner. I often walk to work through the park near our house. It's closed between dusk and dawn. As I like to get in early to prepare for my classes I leave home before 8am. The park is closed from dusk to dawn so it's been impossible to walk that way. Today I noticed the gates were unlocked and I thoroughly enjoyed my early morning walk. The sun was wonderful and cast beautiful long shadows everywhere. Nearly Spring now!!!
Thursday, February 23, 2006
We had snow!!!
We opened the curtains to a winter wonderland this morning. We were delighted as our grandson was coming for the day. We were sledging by 8.30am. We were so lucky as the snow had disappeared by 12 noon!!!
Video Sharing at DropShots.com
Video Sharing at DropShots.com
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Brimham Rocks
Had a visit to Brimham Rocks near Ripon in yorkshire yeserday. What an amazing place. Overlooking Nidderdale it is a photographer's heaven. Having said that I took loads of pix but only two or three were half way decent.. just carried away by the rocks and the sunshine I think.
The rocks are a wonderful place to take older kids as they can be let loose and there are lots of places for them to have a scramble round. I was amazed and horrified though at the sight of a couple of dad's who were scrambling up rocks carrying 18 month old babies and 3 year olds (yes one man carried two of them) up onto rocks which had 50 foot drops. I couldn't bear to watch in the end and had to turn away. Maybe I am just too protective but it seems bizarre to me to risk your kids falling just for the sake of a good pic or a nice view.
Apart from that 'It's a grand day out'.
The rocks are a wonderful place to take older kids as they can be let loose and there are lots of places for them to have a scramble round. I was amazed and horrified though at the sight of a couple of dad's who were scrambling up rocks carrying 18 month old babies and 3 year olds (yes one man carried two of them) up onto rocks which had 50 foot drops. I couldn't bear to watch in the end and had to turn away. Maybe I am just too protective but it seems bizarre to me to risk your kids falling just for the sake of a good pic or a nice view.
Apart from that 'It's a grand day out'.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Marine Lake visitors
Spent last weekend with my sister in Southport. The weather was very, very dark. In fact I had to manipulate this photo almost out of existance before you could see the ducks properly!!
Anyway we had a great time.. shopping walking and giggling.
We are meeting again next weekend when they come to stay in Clitheroe.. we are taking them to Malham!!
Had the sun today and it was just wonderful.
Anyway we had a great time.. shopping walking and giggling.
We are meeting again next weekend when they come to stay in Clitheroe.. we are taking them to Malham!!
Had the sun today and it was just wonderful.
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