Beautiful Lancashire

[Mathos]

TSR2 wrote:-

Hello Mathos Just curious as to the 19 mph speed limit!! suppose it,s that odd you might take notice,
Wind farms are alright but they are Bog Ugly don,t you think? Read a report on Wind Generated power they are not cost effective, ie, build costs, I think Nuclear is the only economical route as long as Uk "Technology" is not used! The French have an excellant safety record (there was a small blip recently) ,the only thing is the clean up, but surely this can be resolved in time.
I am new on TD mathos like your thread!! Had a friend from Lancashire who died the other day, he will be missed by many , especially me , he owed me 5 quid

Welcome to Teakdoor TSR2 and thank you for posting on my thread.

I do think the wind farms are ugly. However, I don't know enough about them to really comment with fact on their suitability. In view of the number we are seeing on mountains though and out at sea, there must be some level of acceptability in the wind system still being a possible source of a very cost effective alternative in due course.

Time will tell.

I am also in favour of nuclear power if it is possible to ensure 100% safety. However, I think major problems with clean up are being shelved, buried and placed elsewhere.

That is not good enough.

Sorry to hear about your Lancashire friend and your £5. Are you from Yorkshire?

[Mathos]

Rather late getting back tonight.

Had a great day out though and a really nice day it was with regards to the weather.

Just transferred a few of todays photographs over, will give more time over the next few days.





It's great to place sunny type photographs on here after all the gloomy days we have had of late.




This fellow was another monster we came across. I think I might do a small thread sometime for Britains best looking Bull.



We concluded the day with a beautiful evening by the coast as well.




Much more to come.

[TSR2]

Originally Posted by Mathos

I am also in favour of nuclear power if it is possible to ensure 100% safety. However, I think major problems with clean up are being shelved, buried and placed elsewhere

There is an Element called Thorium,similar to Uranium, far more plentiful but more difficult to get a reaction, It was known about in the 30/40s but because you cannot obtain Plutoniuim ( re Nuclear Weapons ) from it this route was ignored.
Research is continuing on Thorium Fission, it has many benefits such as the time required to disperse radiation from spent fuel is around 10 % of Uranium, plus existing Nuclear Reactors can be converted to burn Thorium which in turn can also burn Plutonium from Nuclear Weapons neutralising any deadly disposal problems. Sounds a better solution but as always needs Political backing.

[TSR2]

Originally Posted by Mathos

Sorry to hear about your Lancashire friend and your £5. Are you from Yorkshire?

Hey up ,now then, by gum arta takin mick ? It must been thee I met in Spain on,t self catering trip, wife said tha,s forgotten,t Bisto ya wassack, go and see yon english fella over theer, I nocked the door , I said "howdo! asta any Bisto" thy said "fcuk off you Spanish cnut" Aye I remember thee!!

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by TSR2

Hey up ,now then, by gum arta takin mick ? It must been thee I met in Spain on,t self catering trip, wife said tha,s forgotten,t Bisto ya wassack, go and see yon english fella over theer, I nocked the door , I said "howdo! asta any Bisto" thy said "fcuk off you Spanish cnut" Aye I remember thee!!

That was the week that was, no doubt.

[Mathos]

There are some really wonderful looking properties in The UK.

This one here was once a 'Post Office' it has wonderful qualities of charm about its presence on the planet.

I sometimes wonder how we arrived at so many of the amazing architectural outstanding buildings throughout the world in general but in The UK specifically.

I happen to think a civilised meal of two veg, boiled and roast potatoes, slices of meat or a chop for instance with a tasty gravy especially say all there is to regarding perfection in food requirements and presentation.

Yes, I can eat anything and enjoy most, but there is nothing in my culinary senses to compare with a roast dinner;- British style.

It took thousands of years to reach such perfection.

We have specific if not unusual modes as well:-

Enchantment.
Temperance
The Gods
The Devils
The Seasons
The Sun
The Moon
The Planets in general.
Black or White
Superstition.

The importance of Castor and Pollux.

If anything is important at all of course.



I thought this house was really exceptional. There is something special about a Cottage like this in Britain, it pours out a feeling of warmth, security and indeed love.




The enormous Bull he shows so much natural strength and beauty.

I once wrote a poem about a Bull.

It was a beautiful day when I was born,
On a sunny and warm December morn,
The grass it was so green, so low,
The land was lush in Mexico;

The kind man held me in his arms,
Giving me confidence with all his charms,
He plays with me now I can walk,
Making me happy with his talk;

Water and food were both abundant,
To all I received, I became respondent,
Each day they fed me much, much more,
Then mentioned names they claimed I would gore;

With each day that passed I became stronger,
Sunshine and warmth became much longer,
Then the games began each day,
Chase them around with cloaks of grey,
Each one flapping as if in a breeze,
Were to me a simple tease;

Oh what joy I had in running,
Watch them jump when I was coming,
Running around in and out,
Listen them laugh, listen them shout;

So much more there was to learn,
How to twist at every turn,
Knock them down, I'm sorry friend,
Please don't stop this daily trend;

So much I look forward to,
Then a reward, I get from you,
A tasty morsel, squeeze me tight,
I would lick you, if I might;

Days are full of so much pleasure,
Chase the capes, I'm getting better,
So much pleasure they give me,
Applauding my virility;

Strong am I, and gentle too,
Never would this bull harm you,
So you roar and shout 'Ole'
You really like to watch me play;

One day I climb a timber ramp
Straw is dirty, straw is damp,
Shaking down a dusty road,
I feel this is an overload;

Crowds of people moving too,
Are we heading for the zoo,
Insecure and contemplating,
This journey's long, and what is waiting?

Into strange ground I'm released,
Strangers hold me with a leash,
Yet why do they pull at me so,
Humans are kind, this I know;

Down a tunnel I must go,
Ouch! that was a painful blow,
Blood is seeping out of me,
A dagger in my side I see;

I come up to a wooden door,
It opens, I run out, to score?
Capes I see to play with me,
Men around to tease me, see ;

Sandy ground and cheers Ole
There are thousands here to watch me play,
Six of them wave capes at me,
I will chase them, you will see;

One I catch, excitedly,
I did not mean to hurt him though,
I will stand still,
Then he can go;

The others run and taunt me still,
Waving capes, oh what a thrill,
Chase them around this sandy circle,
Having fun, creating cheers,
They are drinking cokes and beers;

Then, a monster comes to view,
Shall I chase him, he's something new?
Heavy garments guard his sides,
I must take some stronger strides;

Something pierces me so deep,
The pain inside, it makes me weep,
I can't take this I must attack,
Blood is gushing from my back;

Deeper still he drives his spear,
But my men friends, are drawing near,
I will pull away from him,
Play with those who shout Ole;

They all want to play with me,
Oh the pain, the pouring blood
I'll be alright,
Men are good;

Three of them walk up to me,
To ease the pain, I know they are kind,
Then more pain, deep in my side
Thrusting shafts of steel in me,
Men I trusted, can this be?

Two more men, they come at leisure,
Inflicting pain, is this their pleasure,
Oh! what have I done to them,
To displease them, once again,
Such fun we had in fields of green,
This sandy circle is obscene?

Once again, the capes they flutter,
Alright, I'll chase them, just as before,
Perhaps a treat,
Will be in store;

But stop the pain I try to say,
My whole life blood is ebbing away,
Pumping out from back and shoulder,
Is the pain to make me bolder?

Enough of this, I need to rest,
But they still cheer, I'll do my best,
Warn them off, I don't want to play,
By the way it is Sunday,
Christians they are, all of them,
Do they love their fellow men?

Crosses dangle from their necks,
And prayers they say to their creator,
For him to make them come out greater,
So much pleasure, they derive,
Don't they understand, I am alive?

I'm weaker now, I'm cold and tired,
They still wave capes, just like a child,
I'll try some more, but I just stand still,
The crowd are screaming, kill, kill, kill;

A broad sword is thrust into me,
Oh this pain, why should it be?

Men I trusted with my life,
They knew to them I meant no harm,
I would not hurt,
Their leg or arm;

As I fall, they watch me shudder,
Don't they know, I loved no other;

All my life I trusted you,
And in a few minutes, fifteen or twenty,
You made my life seem oh so empty,
You puzzled me and hurt me so,
Are you content, I don't think so?



I hope you liked the poem. Your comments would be appreciated, either for or against.

[Mathos]

I think with it being such a beautiful day for a change on Tuesday last, we just took far more photographs than normal.



We had decided to make the most of the sun-shine and head for Cumbria two places of great interest in particular, Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass. We knew the same would be very poor to photograph in bad conditions, most of the same would be covered in heavy mist and cloud even. So this was a consideration as being the last possible chance of the year. We know if the winter weather was to set in hard and fast the Passes would be impossible to cross and could well be closed in any event.

There's some really beautiful countryside to drive through on the way to these two passes as well.



I know I have said it before, but to really get the very best out of these types of photograph they need transferring to your Photograph Manager and viewing full screen.


Some of the colours with the approach of autumn are already quite spectacular here and there. The houses tucked away in the hills and mountains also look spectacular.

The dry stone walls in places reach to the summits of some of these mountains as well.


If I get the opportunity in winter to spend a few days up here with Flobo, I will do and put some shots of these areas covered in snow on the thread.

It looks quite spectacular up here in the depths of winter.

It's several years too since we spent a winter in The UK. Should make a really nice change thinking about it.



Isn't that absolutely fantastic.

There was a nice steak offer on too at one of the local pubs.



It was a nice looking place as well.

The 'Traveller's Rest' at Grasmere.









The above small selection of photographs are from The Internet.

The large ones are all mine and Flobo's.

[Mathos]

A few more snaps before I turn in, my younger daughter has been in hospital today, so I'm doing the school run for her for a while. Could be a few weeks, as she has to go back in next week and she's not too good at present.

Her lads have a twelve mile distance to school, so its like 48 miles a day to cover.

So' I'll be getting up a 6.30 or so for as long as it takes.




You can see from this photograph that the bracken/fern is already going to sleep until next spring.

There were some really nice homes in this little hamlet too. Quite precious I thought.



I'd go as far to say spectacular.

Farmers have been doing the last Hay cut of the year as well.



Strange, you never see Haystacks in The UK anymore. They have the same baled and wrapped in massive plastic bags in next to no time. It doesn't look as nice though.

Pity, but that's another form of progress along the line of evolution one might say.




Thought I would finish with a photograph of a simply beautiful cottage. You might just notice there isn't an iota of mortar between the stone work.

It looks absolutely fantastic too.

The privet arch was really attractive, it appealed to me.

I'm just on with one in my own garden, but it will take several years to reach that level.

The dry stone walls to the front of the cottage are brilliant.

The complete set up of the cottage was indeed extremely beautiful.

[TSR2]

Originally Posted by Mathos

I hope you liked the poem. Your comments would be appreciated, either for or against.

Appreciate the sentiments therein,nothing heroic in killing Bulls in such a manner! Tell you what! its a long poem, did you write Eskimo Nell? that had 95 verses as well!!! My mate could recite all of them as well,

[Mathos]

TSR2 wrote:-Appreciate the sentiments therein,nothing heroic in killing Bulls in such a manner! Tell you what! its a long poem, did you write Eskimo Nell? that had 95 verses as well!!!

Eskimo Nell, Wow, that's a manner of approach to Witches copulating with Devils known as Incubi.

Do you know any or all of the six points to be noted with regard to such an event?



There are some amazing rock and land formations throughout this area of our country. The Ice age being the originator of the spectacular formations and beautiful mountain ranges and hills.




The scenery can be spectacular, especially on days like we had during our visit.

Snow, especially a fresh fall followed by a sunny but freezing cold day is quite amazing and I will do my level best to obtain such photographs
if the weather this winter is such a fashion up in the mountains.
It usually is.



There are a couple of nice houses in this photograph.

Below, I have brought the lower property into a more prominent view, I thought it deserved it.



The beauty of nature.



The obvious contentment of a happy existence too.



There are so many variations with regard to the landscape, it's quite a wonderful experience to visit such an interesting and extremely beautiful place.

[Mathos]

I always think that water is an amazing element on our planet, it is after all the main source if not creator of all forms of known life.



There must be stretches of water similar to this with thousands of miles of dry stone wall bankings built by man over the centuries.

They protect against flooding, but probably more importantly they control the flow of the meandering water and maintain a
particular stretch for thousands of years to a secured route, not allowing the river to form an alternative course.



Some of the small bridges we came across were quite amazing
and although they looked somewhat thin and perhaps weak,
they carried cattle, tractors and trailer loads of hay
etc without buckling.

I could only assume that Steel girders were situated across initially.




You can see the road we took through the Pass on the
right of this photograph, it's an amazing journey to make.
Really interesting from start to finish.



As you can see, there are many stretches of the dry stone walls throughout this area as well.



Colours were very effective, as mentioned you need to view these photographs on a full screen to obtain the real benefit of the same.

There's a form of coral, must have been for holding live stock
to the centre of this picture, built from stone as well.

All around the mountains, water appeared to be oozing down intro the valleys below. There have to be some cave features in these places. Perhaps they will go looking for them one of these fine days.



We saw plenty of rabbits whilst we were on our trip.

Apparently the area hosts a large fraternity of foxes as well.

It figures.

[Mathos]

Hardknott Pass has the joint title of the steepest road holder in England.

You can see from this photograph here, that it simply does a dive in places and down you go.




Hardknott Pass, Cumbria
The Hardknott Pass vies with Rosedale Chimney in North Yorkshire for the title of steepest road in

There are the remains and ruins of an old roman Fort up here as well, I'll put some information on the thread at a later date, 'Happyman' will probably be ahead of me on this aspect, and if he is out of hospital before I do it and back to his PC and his own information bank, (which is brilliant) he is more than welcome to let rip. He does a better job than The Net, in general.




Just leave you with this really spectacular photograph for tonight.

The views and general variation in beauty we came across were fantastic.

[Propagator]

Another pic here of the pass

[Mathos]

Propagator wrote:-Another pic here of the pass

Thanks Propagator, that's a really nice photograph too. Appreciated.

When were you last in the area?

[Mathos]

We came across this gated entrance to what appeared to be a garden. It looked superb, the dry stone wall looked quite good, the stone on top of the arch centre reminded me of a hat similar to what a Witch might own and wear, if we assume Witches to dress as they are portrayed of course.




It's very interesting how we all see things differently.



We had climbed quite a steep section of road along this particular route too.
It surprised me how often I had stopped the car purely to take photographs of the road itself complete with surroundings.



The extent of falling leaves from the trees was also surprising and a good reminder that Autumn was here.


This was a close up photograph of water oozing down the valley. I'm assuming the brown on the rock is a source of metal from the mountain side.




This was a very interesting looking residence attached to a dry slate/stone built barn, which looked rather more residential than it was probably meant to be.


I liked the look of it in general.




What an amazing location it was situated in as well.

The dog sat on the wall and chained up was quite a Heinz variety,
he had a forty five gallon drum for a day kennel,
he seemed content enough.




It was great having so much sunshine all day for a change too.




Didn't the late John Denver sing some song or another regarding 'Sunshine on his shoulder making him happy'

[Mathos]

Another outstanding view, there is certainly a great deal of variation in this photograph.




This was a really pleasant looking place we came across close to Ambleside and in the small area known as Langdale.



The Three Shires. It was a small hotel, very attractive, about ten rooms I think The Landlord said when I enquired.

We had a spot of lunch there too. I should have photographed the plates, they looked good, especially the large Cumberland Sausages.

Afterthoughts!




It was an attractive looking place inside. Can't say I felt happy about the Fox head over the fireplace, but I understand country living, they have a manner of culling which they deem to be correct, I'd always respect their ways.


Check it out:-

Three Shires Inn - Little Langdale
Enjoy a quiet holiday away at the Three Shires Inn Little Langdale. Surrounded by the rugged splendour of the English Lake District hills and mountains, ...
www.threeshiresinn.co.uk/ - 5k - Cached - Similar pages

[Mathos]

An additional outstanding house too.





Brilliantly built from slate/stone and no mortar again.

Now this looked somewhat peculiar, almost like an underground residence.



There's some kind of entrance in the stone wall, a partly ground covered roof to the right of the same, fencing, waste disposal bin and perhaps some coloured clothing on the side.

I rather thought there will be smoke bellowing out of the grass area in winter, no doubt a chimney hidden under one of those rocks.

There was a real live Troll living under this bridge as well.



I noticed Flobo peering over the top too.

She said she saw a Troll down there.


The scenery is fantastic.

Absolutely beautiful.




There's tremendous variations with regards to accommodation up here as well. Camping, to outstanding cottages, Bed & Breakfast, Small Hotels and Super de luxe Hotels such as the Armathwaite Hall Hotel.


A couple of interesting pages here.

Armathwaite Hall
Luxury lake district hotels set


Lake District Cottages | Lakeland Cottage Holidays



Lake District cottages and Self Catering Holidays in the Lake District and Cumbria - Enjoy Holiday Cottages.

[Happyman]

"It has to be a man made wall surely, but how did they build it over the edge of the cliff and down the face."

A quote from one of your posts a little while ago regarding a drystone wall on a cliff face .

The answer is " they didn't "

When you get a cliff like that you start at the botton and build UP the clif !

By doing this you have a stable base to work ( the wall you are building) from and what you end up with is a vertical stack of stones against the cliff face .
If you get the chance to have a close look at one of these vertical walls you should be able to see exactly how it is done .
A wall on level ground has the major axis of the individual stones parallell to the base of the wall - as the base of the wall changes from level to vertical the orientation of the stones gradually changes from parallell to the base to right angles and when you get to the top it reverts back. This gives you a firm base to stand on when working and also makes the stack more stable. Every 10' or so there will be a notch cut into the cliff face and longer stones inserted and incorporated into the wall to "Key" it to the face.

Hardknott Pass Roman Fort

This is a good one to have a look at if you are interested in things Roman !
The foundations of the walls gates and buildings are all intact and give you a good idea of the layout of a typical fort and also makes you wonder about the work involved in building it. While you are there spare a thought for the poor buggers dragged from the sunny Med and stationed up there in mid winter !
At the time the fort was called MEDIOBOGDUM and guarded the supply road to and from the nearest port GLANNOVENTA (Mancaster/Ravenglass) on the Esk estuary and their main administration depot at GALAVA (Ambleside)

Wrynose Pass

Many years ago I took my kids ( 7 & 9 years old )and a couple of their friends ( and two dogs ) I must have been bloody mad ! - for a week in the lake district and we went up to Wrynose Pass. As we were going up the kids - and the dogs- were very quiet for a change .
Turned out they were watching for Rhinos !!
Took a lot of explaining that one especially as I was home after a contract in Tanzania and they had seen all my Serenghetti photos !!!

Still not got my PC (all the above was from memory!) but when I get back on it and access to database I have a load more comments ( if you want them ! )

[sabang]

Luvly thread Mathos- I catch up with it every week or so and remind myself of the beauty that is in England.

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by Mathos

When were you last in the area?

Last there probably about ten year ago. About 20 year ago was up there quite often as me brother was Head Chef in the Wastwater Hotel at the head of Wastwater Lake. Must try to dig out and scan the old pics that I have.