Beautiful Lancashire

[Mathos]

Photograph of The Inn at Whitewell from the rear here.



There were a few workmen about, probably on a fag break here, general maintenance appeared to be the work in hand.

Another one sorting out a window frame on the front.




Really is a nice place, I reckon the upkeep and general running costs will be quite high though.

Not the best of photographs of the meal. I should have done better.




Superb fish though, Haddock, nice and thick, the batter as you can see was the finest possible covering and the fish itself was chunky, tasted absolutely beautiful.


Another attractive scene with the many colours applicable to Autumn.



Amazing how the landscape changes so much with the various seasonal assistance.



I wonder if the Ducks take shelter beneath bridges and such like during bad weather.

[Mathos]

I'd no idea as to what this was or had been. Maybe an old mining entrance in the side of the mountain. Or perhaps a water outlet at some time or another.

{I reckon Happyman will know though}

I thought it might have even been a kiln, but there were no signs of heat, or smoke damage etc to the bricks.



It was an interesting looking piece of construction.



The scenery in general was magnificent.


We certainly have a very beautiful country.

[Mathos]

Even places like this, I'd taken a wrong turn here and ended up in what appeared to be general 'back-yards' nice though.




Managed a three point turn without knocking any 'Roman Walls' down and drove back into the open countryside.



This next view with nice colour was from a scenic point overlooking The Wild Boar Park.



The miniature 'Nissan hut type buildings were distributed in several locations throughout the Park to house the boar, pigs and other species in the Park.

There were a few of these doors in the ground which probably went down to pumping apparatus in use by The Water Board.




It's amazing what is going on in the country to keep us all fed, watered and content.



It's not just rivers running into the sea!

[Mathos]

Nice area here with a decent sized lake in the valley below.




Personally I think the area around The Ribble Valley in general is some of the nicest in the country.




We noticed here and there that steps were being taken to protect the river banks and trees from erosion by the waters. I rather think the area shown above will be on the places to visit and attend to list as well.




Difficult to express the beauty of such locations in words at times.

The photographs say all that is needed though.

[Mathos]

Probably won't get back on here until mid week. Got a busy couple of days ahead of me and evenings.




Interesting looking building here as well. Nice coach entrance to The Courtyard.

A really well built strong bridge here as well. Superbly built.




I might have mentioned a few posts back, there were numerous Pheasant about.


They are a very attractive looking bird.

Taste exceptionally nice as well. Rich tasty flavour.


I thought this was an exceptionally nice photograph too.




There are so many in the collection I have, it becomes almost impossible to select at times.

If I get chance through the winter, I'll transfer a load over to Teak Door Galleries. I've several thousand photographs, in the teens of thousands now.


The digital camera is a fantastic mode of progress with regards to photography in general.




Magnificent.

[TSR2]

Originally Posted by Mathos

Taste exceptionally nice as well. Rich tasty flavour.

My friend at St Michaels runs a private shoot nearby . they sell the birds for 1 pound a brace to a local supplier in Garstang, I reckon that,s cheap,

[Happyman]

Managed to get a WiFi connection !!!

Just a quickie cos it won't last long !!

An old friend of mine in the Welsh borders ( I fished the river Onny running through his farm ) had a pheasant shoot as well on a day rate to any one .

Always smile when I remember his comment ( he passed away at the age of 82 ten years ago RIP)

"Boy " he used to say "them townies are bloody daft but I like their money!"

"They come from 'Brum' in their posh cars and give me 30 pounds each for a days shootin'- wife makes them breakfast for 3 pounds a time- they goes out and "Bang" up goes 25p ( the cartridge) and sometimes down comes 75p (a bird ) - come lunch they come back to the farm for lunch (another 4 pounds each)- need more cartridges and dont want to drive down the valley to buy more so I sells them some of mine (30p each)- off they go again and come evening they drop into the farm to sign the stock book - take a bird or two each and give me the rest- I take them down the pub in the evening and get 75p each for them from the butcher."
"Can make 300 pounds on a good weekend and haven't got to leave the house during the day !!"


-
PS- I was a townie and paid 5 pounds a day to fish the stream until his CAT 910 silage loader packed up on him .
At the time I was a field development engineer for CAT and (Ehem!) 'requisitioned ' a few bits and pieces from the stores for "development purposes".
Never had to pay to fish there again - and I got free breakfasts !!!

[TSR2]

Originally Posted by Happyman

'requisitioned

You did mean "borrowed" I hope for trial puposes and evaluation

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by TSR2

My friend at St Michaels runs a private shoot nearby . they sell the birds for 1 pound a brace to a local supplier in Garstang, I reckon that,s cheap,

It is whewn you consider how much you might have to pay for them in a 'fancy restaurant'

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by Happyman

Managed to get a WiFi connection !!!

Just a quickie cos it won't last long !!

An old friend of mine in the Welsh borders ( I fished the river Onny running through his farm ) had a pheasant shoot as well on a day rate to any one .

Always smile when I remember his comment ( he passed away at the age of 82 ten years ago RIP)

"Boy " he used to say "them townies are bloody daft but I like their money!"

"They come from 'Brum' in their posh cars and give me 30 pounds each for a days shootin'- wife makes them breakfast for 3 pounds a time- they goes out and "Bang" up goes 25p ( the cartridge) and sometimes down comes 75p (a bird ) - come lunch they come back to the farm for lunch (another 4 pounds each)- need more cartridges and dont want to drive down the valley to buy more so I sells them some of mine (30p each)- off they go again and come evening they drop into the farm to sign the stock book - take a bird or two each and give me the rest- I take them down the pub in the evening and get 75p each for them from the butcher."
"Can make 300 pounds on a good weekend and haven't got to leave the house during the day !!"


-
PS- I was a townie and paid 5 pounds a day to fish the stream until his CAT 910 silage loader packed up on him .
At the time I was a field development engineer for CAT and (Ehem!) 'requisitioned ' a few bits and pieces from the stores for "development purposes".
Never had to pay to fish there again - and I got free breakfasts !!!

Cracking tale Happyman, it made me laugh.


Cheers.

[Mathos]

Id been neglecting some of my other threads, so I did a little on here tonight.

Mathos' trip from Chiang Mai...

by Mathos

I received this in an e-mail earlier today.

Pikey Mansion.

Good sense of humour.

These as well:-

Hard to take in is this.

Take note of the sling.

That's never the Fire Brigade.

I bet that hurt.

Then again, I think it's a cock up.

A not so cleverly gerrymandered stunt I'm thinking.

Bum rap 4 September 2008

This alleged thief had to be rushed to hospital last night after being impaled on a fence.
The incident took place at the East London museum.
The suspect is alleged to have broken down the back door to the museum. The alarm went off, giving him a fright, and he ran away.
He climbed a tree and then attempted to jump over the fence. However, he lost his footing and was impaled by one of the spikes on the fence.
The man was discovered by a tow truck driver who heard his high pitched screaming and crying.
The man was taken to a major London Hospital and it is understood that he is due to undergo surgery.

They're just arsing about.

[TSR2]

Its the festival of Loikatung here in Chiang Mai, its like bloody bonfire night!!!! on steriods, reminds me of years ago a farmer in St Michaels wanted a duck pond, so my mate colin got an S,A,S pal to conjure up an explosion,
So we get several bags of Nitrates/Nitrites? plus some Jelly and placed them in the ground, fuse set, SAS man says walk away normally when you do this, OK then, then he suddenly legged it, so did we, The explosion was a Whoof rather than a Bang! A great cloud of black soil went airbourne, when it descended what we got was a hill not a pond,
Next time ask blaster Bates.
ps used to like B/Bates till I found out he was a special constable. even the regular coppers disliked them!

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by TSR2

Its the festival of Loikatung here in Chiang Mai, its like bloody bonfire night!!!! on steriods, reminds me of years ago a farmer in St Michaels wanted a duck pond, so my mate colin got an S,A,S pal to conjure up an explosion,
So we get several bags of Nitrates/Nitrites? plus some Jelly and placed them in the ground, fuse set, SAS man says walk away normally when you do this, OK then, then he suddenly legged it, so did we, The explosion was a Whoof rather than a Bang! A great cloud of black soil went airbourne, when it descended what we got was a hill not a pond,
Next time ask blaster Bates.
ps used to like B/Bates till I found out he was a special constable. even the regular coppers disliked them!

You must be quite a character TSR2.

The idea of blowing a 'Duck Pond' is something else. I'd have hired a JCB from Anderton Kitchen or Harry Ruttle.

Explosive stuff though.

Blaster Bates, now he was something of a character, 'Shit Over Congleton' comes to mind.

I'll try and find a copy of that little episode on U Tube or somewhere and put it on here.

Cheers and thanks for the input.

Loikatung, isn't that when they float the little boats with candles and sparklers on down the River?

I have vague memories of such a festival, many years back in the depths of my mind.

Are you trying to make me feel old TSR2?


'Blaster Bates'
Derek 'Blaster' Bates

The man who turned demolition into entertainment

• Phil McIntyre
• guardian.co.uk, Tuesday September 26 2006 00.05 BST
• The Guardian, Tuesday September 26 2006
• Article history

Derek 'Blaster' Bates, who has died aged 83, was a demolition expert, stunt rider and raconteur. At 6ft 4ins, he bore a striking resemblance to John Wayne, and lived his life as close to the screen adventures of the film star as he could.
Born in Cheshire, Bates served an apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce in Crewe. This was interrupted by the second world war, during which he joined the RAF, completing his training at Guinea Fowl school, in what was then Rhodesia. He saw active service flying Halifax bombers, and at the end of the war took an opportunity with the RAF to specialise in bomb disposal. This stimulated an interest in the use of explosives and demolition which led to a career spanning 40 years.

On leaving the RAF, Bates started his own demolition business in Cheshire, and soon became recognised as a leading exponent of high-stack chimney demolition. He changed the landscape of northern England by singlehandedly demolishing more than 500 chimney stacks, 54 in St Helens alone - and, in the process, earned the nickname by which he liked to be known.

His expertise became known worldwide. Among the projects he was involved with was the building of the M6 motorway, blasting through rock during the harsh winter of 1963, and work on the Oulton Park racing circuit. He called part of the track Knicker Brook after disturbing a semi-naked courting couple who fled one of his explosions.

Bates's experiences, combined with his vibrant personality, quick wit and engaging nature, led to his second career, as a raconteur. As his fame spread, he was invited on to television chat shows, was offered a record contract and did one-man shows across the UK. He produced eight records, winning a gold disc for Laughter With a Bang. He continued to talk to theatre audiences into his late 70s.
Riding his Norton motorcycle, Bates took part in scrambling and hill climb events, eventually becoming the star of a "wall of death" stunt team performing daredevil acts at fetes and carnivals. He played rugby union for Cheshire constabulary until he was 45, founded the Hydra and Full Bore Sporting Rifle Club and was its lifelong president, and won many trophies for his skill at clay pigeon shooting. He was well known for his charity work, predominantly with disabled children, and was proud to be a special constable in Cheshire from 1968 to 1980.


Bates's main interests were shooting and fishing, and he was at his happiest enjoying these pursuits in Scotland and Germany, with friends and family. In his 70s, he contracted diabetes; in the last three years his condition deteriorated, but he bore his disability with his usual sense of humour. He is survived by his wife Maud, whom he married in 1946, their son and three daughters. · Derek McIntosh Bates, demolition expert, stunt man and raconteur, born February 5 1923; died September 1 2006

[Mathos]

One of my grandsons was boxing last night.




Back towards us, blue head guard and gloves.



A good bout as well, they had to get The Dr to his opponent though, made a mess of his nose.

It happens.

They keep tremendously fit, they have to.





The training and extremely strict levels of discipline are good for them as well.



It's almost twelve months since I had him and his cousin one of my other grandsons in LOS.

Time is a bugger.


Every now and then, you see that twinkle in their eyes, and they say, " Are you taking us to Bangkok again Grandad?"

[Mathos]

Wednesday was perhaps the only decent day we had this week.

Not that I'm complaining, being here is what matters, the conditions are all secondary issues, some having more importance than others.




Flobo had been taking a few photographs whilst I was making a mess of clearing up a zillion more leaves.

She has loads of bird feeding stations in the gardens, which are very large gardens.

The variations of birds we get visiting and plenty nesting here and there are brilliant. Unfortunately ( for the other birds) we have a couple of Sparrow Hawks the hen of which is outstandingly beautiful. She was sat on top of one of the food stations and Flobo almost got a snap of her. Better luck next time. But you have a photograph of the station through the window to cast your eyes on.



The had a dove the other day, one swoop and it was all over. We also have a couple of feral cats which visit us on a more often than not daily basis.

I have seen the Cock of the Sparrow Hawks swoop down on the back of the cat before today. That was something else.



I love the aroma from burning leaves, it's rather special.




There's a lot more to fall yet as well.

Mr Fox is an evening and night time predator, he also drinks from my fish pond.






Some of these colours are fantastic.

A few more days along with some heavy winds & apart from the evergreens, there will only be branches to look at.

[Mathos]

This is worth an airing.

Blaster Bates - The Shower Of Shit Over Cheshire

Blaster Bates - The Naming Of Knicker Brook
06:56 From: Dyynamo
Views: 2,041

Added




[TRANSLATED]

Blaster Bates - The Shower Of Shit Over Cheshire
[TRANSLATED]

Blaster Bates - The Shower Of Shit Over Cheshire

Blaster

[TSR2]

Just a few thoughts on things !! I was thinking about the current economic crises, it really is cyclical, I have looked at the history, thats how it is, however a few observations , We /you in Europe have loaded up the stakes against you, the cost of buisness is ridiculous. all the red tape and the cost of liability, Why I am thinking this way is that I went to a local Thai shop to buy my pork for my Bacon Curing and other pork recipes, The lady Thai said can you wait a few minutes , my husband is just "dispatching " the pig!! Out comes the meat ,still warm, few flies about, so what, I have purchased meat from here for months without any problems,
Years ago one of the Twins at Inskip Ted and Dick said about the health in modern (then 1962) kids was down to over protection, "them" Avenham Lane kids in Preston living in poor conditions ,picking up dropped toffees of the street floor gave them bugs which he reckoned helped them, he was way ahead of todays boffins, (I am one of those Avenham Lane Kids)

Dick at 87 is still mending cars at Inskip,

so I reckon we will never compete, yes I know all about safety, etc, but the cost of all this Red Tape/cost of buisness is crippling,
If I rented the factory that I owned the rent would be 100,000 GBP per year
the rates would be 45,000 GBP payable
the insurance would be 25,000 GBP
thats over 3 grand a week before you open the front door,


How the F""k can you compete with costs like that, the answer is you can,t as many are going to find out soon,



ie if I rented the factory

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by TSR2

Just a few thoughts on things !! I was thinking about the current economic crises, it really is cyclical, I have looked at the history, thats how it is, however a few observations , We /you in Europe have loaded up the stakes against you, the cost of buisness is ridiculous. all the red tape and the cost of liability, Why I am thinking this way is that I went to a local Thai shop to buy my pork for my Bacon Curing and other pork recipes, The lady Thai said can you wait a few minutes , my husband is just "dispatching " the pig!! Out comes the meat ,still warm, few flies about, so what, I have purchased meat from here for months without any problems,
Years ago one of the Twins at Inskip Ted and Dick said about the health in modern (then 1962) kids was down to over protection, "them" Avenham Lane kids in Preston living in poor conditions ,picking up dropped toffees of the street floor gave them bugs which he reckoned helped them, he was way ahead of todays boffins, (I am one of those Avenham Lane Kids)

Dick at 87 is still mending cars at Inskip,

so I reckon we will never compete, yes I know all about safety, etc, but the cost of all this Red Tape/cost of buisness is crippling,
If I rented the factory that I owned the rent would be 100,000 GBP per year
the rates would be 45,000 GBP payable
the insurance would be 25,000 GBP
thats over 3 grand a week before you open the front door,


How the F""k can you compete with costs like that, the answer is you can,t as many are going to find out soon,



ie if I rented the factory

I can see where you're coming from TSR2, but we don't really want to return to picking sweets up off the floor and giving them to the kids.

Things change so much, consequently costings, expenses and of course remunerations are all reciprocal in time.

A hundred years ago for instance the average age for a man in the UK was perhaps 50 years. Now it's about 80.

If we start picking gob stoppers up off the floor though and giving them to the kids, it would no doubt reflect in a few untimely deaths.

They could choke on them!

That in turn would have an effect on the average life expectancy of man.

It's an over the garden wall topic of conversation regarding illness's suffered or not suffered by kids due to clinical conditions as they put it.

We used to scale walls and fences to pinch apples, they don't do it nowadays.

Consequently the apples rot on the ground or if the tree owner knows somebody with a pony for instance, he might bag a few and give them away.

Nothing at all is quite what it appears to be or is how it seems.

President Clinton said, "I did not have a sexual relationship with that woman."

He had a bit of fun with one of those big Cuban aluminium cigar tubes with Monica lay across the desk in The White House in a state of undress whilst he merrily amused himself resulting in an uncontrolled ejaculation across her dress.


That's all it was though, it wasn't sex in the true sense of the word, or in the eyes of The Roman Catholic Church for that matter.

The Church very clearly defines sex.

It was no more important in President Clinton's eyes than shaking hands with her, or rubbing noses, which is considered a form of sexual foreplay of all things in some parts of the world.

[Mathos]

I thought this was quite good:-

A man walked out to the street and managed to get a taxi just going by. He got into the taxi, and the cabbie said, 'Perfect timing. You're just like Frank.'

Passenger: 'Who?'

Cabbie: 'Frank Feldman. He's a guy who did everything right all the time. Like my coming along when you needed a cab, things happened like that to Frank Feldman every single time.'

Passenger: 'There are always a few clouds over everybody.'

Cabbie: 'Not Frank Feldman. He was a terrific athlete. He could have won the Grand-Slam at tennis. He could play golf with the pros. He sang like an opera baritone and danced like a Broadway star and you should have heard him play the piano. He was an amazing guy.'

Passenger: 'Sounds like he was something really special.'

Cabbie: 'There's more... He had a memory like a computer. Could remember everybody's birthday. He knew all about wine, which foods to order and which fork to eat them with. He could fix anything. Not like me. I change a fuse, and the whole street blacks out. But Frank Feldman, he could do everything right.'

Passenger: 'Wow, some guy then.'

Cabbie: 'He always knew the quickest way to go in traffic and avoid traffic jams. Not like me, I always seem to get stuck in them. But Frank, he never made a mistake, and he really knew how to treat a woman and make her feel good. He would never answer her back even if she was in the wrong; and his clothing was always immaculate, shoes highly polished too - He was the perfect man! He never made a mistake. No one could ever measure up to Frank Feldman.'

Passenger: 'An amazing fellow. How did you meet him?'

Cabbie: 'Well, I never actually met Frank, he died.

I just married his bloody widow.'

[Mathos]

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