Beautiful Lancashire

[Mathos]

There were some outstanding spots along the Rivers, the fall in most of these locations had completed it's cycle, signs of winter approaching were in the air.



I think snow is expected in Scotland and down the East coast this week.



Snows great on Christmas Cards. Not too bad when the roads are clear and it makes for great photographs at times.

We will see what the winter brings to our doorstep.



Some of these views, I find terrific. Hope you enjoy the same.





This particular tree, was fantastic.



You can see the sun was dropping quickly, very weak as well.

Nice though.

[Mathos]

This was a pleasant view taken from a Church Graveyard.





Sometimes you catch a building or two and they look very special.



Quite unique.

The building in the foreground says quite a bit if you give it some close attention and thought.

That's a really nice Light over the front of the building as well.




I was impressed with the River views this week especially.

They looked kind of magical at times.



Strange, there are buildings on this photograph, which I certainly do not recollect seeing when I photographed this particular stretch of water.



I wonder where these Ducks were going to.



And these.

[Mathos]

Its obvious that many folk enjoy living in isolated, out of the way places.



I'm not exactly within throwing distance of a neighbour myself but some of these refurbished barns and farmhouses or even new builds are absolutely miles from anywhere.



There are all sorts of hidden little tunnels which come to light at this time of the year when the leaves fall.




It's quite amazing what you do see and come across when you take the time to look as well.

We come across deer, foxes and badgers in the winter months, but they don't give you time to focus a camera on them, off they go like bats out of hell.



Signs of an old railway track and bridge across The river here, I have some photographs to transfer from the crossing later, I took a walk up there, it was interesting.



Rivers were quite high in places, we have had a great deal of rain this year.


I might mention again, these photographs really deserve an airing on full screen. They're quite good to look at, even if I say so myself.

[Mathos]

I was expecting a delivery of some materials for a job I am doing outside today, there was a problem.

I might have been left twiddling my thumbs for a day or two as they cannot get the materials to me until Monday.

So Flobo asked me to give her carpets a shampoo with one of those machines you hire!

Going to take me about three days. Did one room and she was doing all the ornaments and things. When you have been married for almost 43 years you acquire a lot.




Carpets came up well though, not that they were much different when I started. But women do things like that, especially around Christmas time.




Built that stone fireplace back in 1977. The oak beam is really old.

I got it from a very old cottage that was being demolished in Cornwall. The back of it is cut out in three places like it probably came off an old ship, possibly something that was washed up on the beach.




Only a little after 4 pm and it's dark already.


Evening meal looks good though.



Lamb cutlets, Cumberland sausage and some nice veg along with a load of fried onions.




The finished product.

I'll stick that on 'What I had to eat today' or whatever that food thread is called.. Later.

[Mathos]

Some pleasant scenes with the next couple of photographs or so, but I'm back to carpet shampooing in a bit!





Another of those tunnel entrances, all sealed up though, like the large one I put on here a couple of weeks back.



Light plays tricks with photographs at times. These two were probably taken within seconds of each other, but look how different they appear to be with regards to the light effect on the same.


Some fantastic views though.




They must have hacked away at these rocks to get all the stone for the walls as much as anything else over the last couple of thousand years or more.





Some fairly isolated properties at the bottom of the valley too.




More of the Forestry work on the hills as well.




These places talk to you, in a manner of speaking.





Once again, a sealed up entrance to something.




Back towards civilisation.

Just around the corner so to speak.




Plenty of free range eggs and tasty chickens from these places.

[Mathos]

I've found myself taking a lot of photographs lately,
simply because the scene was appealing,
be it the colours, panoramic type view,
building or something I didn't understand.



This particular photograph had a bit of everything in it except a building,
albeit the wall was neat, but I couldn't understand why anyone would
want to spoil such a really nice scene with that ridiculous grey pole
supporting the halogen lights.

They could have been placed on the trees,
certainly one would have used a more natural
prop if the siting of the same was considered a necessity.



The one above on full screen looks sensational in my opinion.



I can imagine the various animals wandering about these glens
especially during the hours of winter darkness.



Again, full screen shows the real value of these snaps.

They all stand their corner as good screen savers too.

I look at photographs of places like this, and feel a very strong desire
to learn how to oil paint.


" I Wish "

[Mathos]

Whalley is a very beautiful village.





Unfortunately it was late in the afternoon when we got there
which meant we were unable to make a tour or even visit
The Whalley Abbey,
which stands very proudly on the banks of The River Calder.



The Old Landrover make me think too..



There's a storm across the valley, clouds are rollin' in
The afternoon is heavy on your shoulders
There's a truck out on the four-lane, a mile or more away
The whinin' of his wheels just makes it colder

He's an hour away from ridin' on your prayers up in the sky
Ten days on the road are barely gone
There's a fire softly burning, supper's on the stove
But it's the light in your eyes that makes him warm

Hey, it's good to be back home again
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend
Yes, 'n, hey it's good to be back home again

There's all the news to tell him: how'd you spend your time?
What's the latest thing the neighbors say
Your mother called last Friday; "Sunshine" made her cry
You felt the baby move just yesterday


Oh, the time that I can lay this tired old body down
Feel your fingers feather soft upon me
Kisses that I live for, the love that lights my way
The happiness that livin' with you brings me

It's the sweetest thing I know of, just spending time with you
It's the little things that make a house a home
Like a fire softly burning and supper on the stove
And the light in your eyes that makes me warm

Hey it's good to be back home again..

Lyrics by John Denver


This is worth a viewing, some good links from it all good information.

Welcome to Whalley Abbey - Whalley Abbey in the Ribble Valley
Standing on the banks of the River Calder, Whalley Abbey has been a focal point for hospitality since the fourteenth century.





Again, an outstandingly beautiful setting.

Worth a viewing:-

River Calder
The Calder starts up in the moors above Burnley, Lancashire. The river then flows through many of the industrial East Lancashire towns including: Burnley, ...




We certainly have some extremely outstanding locations.




Fantastic.




Seems to get better.





Sensational even.

[Mathos]

An additional beneficial link here for Whalley Abbey.

Whalley Abbey
A brief history of this Lancashire abbey by its Warden, Canon Geoffrey Williams. The ruins are open to the public.



We must make a visit at a more appropriate time of the day. I'll stick it on my 'To Do List'




There's quite an amazing Viaduct in the valley at Whalley.

It carries the Railway line across.

This is quite interesting as well:-


Whalley Viaduct

River Calder, west of Whalley, Lancashire



associated engineer
Terrence Wolfe Flanagan

date 1846 - 1850

era Victorian | category Railway Viaduct | OS grid reference SD726361
ICE reference number HEW 566

The longest and largest railway viaduct in Lancashire, Whalley Viaduct's 48 brick arches stride across the valley of the River Calder, dominating the landscape.
The viaduct was built for the Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe & West Yorkshire Railway and it carries the line 21.3m above the river for a distance of 620m. Plain in appearance, the southern side of the arch nearest the remains of Whalley Abbey bears its only decorative treatment. Flanagan used some Gothic elements here to try to harmonise the structure with the ruins.


More than seven million bricks and 12,338 cubic metres of stone were used to construct the viaduct. Some 3,000 metres of timber was used for the arch centering, temporary platforms and the permanent foundation piles.
During construction, on 6th October 1849, two of the 41 arches then completed collapsed. Sadly, three men lost their lives.

Resident engineer: J. Withers
Main contractor: Nowell Hattersley & Shaw
research: PD
b i b l i o g r a p h y

"The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway" by J. Marshall
David and Charles, Newton Abbot, 1969, Vol 1




Some of the building work we simply look at and take for granted,
is quite mazing.




Brilliant workmanship.




I think the Autumn colours enhance the photographs.

Again, nice as a screen saver or background.

Check them out on full screen, they do look good.





Flobo got a really nice Sun-set here I thought.


Really good link here:-

Whalley Viaduct
Whalley Viaduct. ... Whalley, Lancashire Print Title: Viaduct Aglow ... Whalley Viaduct. All images available as greetings cards and prints. ...
www.imagesbyevvy.com/ribble_valley/ribble_valley_25_whalley.htm - 44k - Cached - Similar pages

[Mathos]

Just a flying visit, been working outside today, it's bitter cold, one of those biting winds, no rain or snow as yet, but it's on the way apparently.

They had snow in Bonnie Scotland yesterday, got a couple of photograph here.



This Snow Plough was active just outside Inverness.


It looks quite a heavy fall for the time of year as well.



The one above is from an Aberdeen Street.

The Shoppers must have thought Christmas had come early.





It's brilliant to look at snow through a window, on Christmas Cards, Television or any photograph I suppose.

Great to play out in it when you're a kid too.

Can't say I relish the thoughts of rolling about in it nowadays though.

[Mathos]

Maybe back later, just going to watch Man U playing away at Villa Park..


Hope they win.

[Mathos]

No score..

All the main teams drew today, so no change of any importance.


United dominated and played well for the first half.


Second half wasn't very good at all. Messy football.


Pity really. Lets hope the boxing is better tonight.

[Mathos]

Nice room shot here from The Inn at Whitewell.






This is a pleasant looking terrace as well. Really cute looking tea room, a typical English presentation.






Last one for tonight, watching the local boxing now, prior to the main event about 4 or 5 am in the morning.



Isn't that a beautiful photograph all round.

[Mathos]

Convincing win for Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas.

Malignaggi's corner threw the towel in during the 11th round.

"There's Only One Ricky Hatton!"

[Mathos]

Some fantastic scenes in general. Doubt we will get out this week. I have a problem and have to go to an eye clinic in Manchester on Tuesday. Hope I can find it.




Health and keeping on top of everything can be a bit of a bugger at times.



Keep the wheels turning and keep swallowing an aspirin a day.




If you put that last photograph especially to full screen, it's amazing what you can see in the same.




Beautiful scenery.

[Mathos]

Watched the Hatton V Malignaggi contest this morning, about 4.00 or there abouts.

One of my grandsons came over as well. We had a decent night. Plenty of boxing on TV from about 9pm last night.

It snowed like hell as well the garden was covered about an inch deep and then about 6.30 am it turned to rain. Been a cold day again though and rained most of the day.




A couple of better shots of what I thought was a railway bridge across the river here as well.



It had been but the track had long since been uplifted. Probably one of Beechams moves in the 60's.



It makes for a good walkway though.




It's a really well built bridge. There are probably hundreds such as this throughout the country.

[Mathos]

Two or three scenic views to place up on view.




They have different levels of attraction or beauty depending on the seasons.

You tend not to look at things the same way at different times of the year.





Another covert entrance to somewhere.




Really nice views though.




These are really spectacular photographic scenes, they do need an airing on full screen to obtain the full beauty of the same.

[Mathos]

What a beautiful day it was in Lancashire today.

Sun shining from crack of dawn to sunset. Ok it was weak, the temperature with the bitter wind was around 2 degrees, possibly less. Still nice though.

The gritters were out in force last night, they are at present a well.

We woke up to a covering of frost over everything. There was a really bad accident due to black ice at Blackrod, the A6 there was closed for several hours. Probably a fatality, I don't know for sure. There were several more accidents,
mostly shunts, ice can be a bugger for cars but good for the bodyshops.

'You Bend 'em We Mend 'em'

I had to go to the eye clinic at Salford today, Flobo came with me. I have to have some attention to my lamps next week if they confirm tomorrow. Cataracts as well, they will probably do one eye next week whilst they do the other job.

Bloody age, it gives you problems at times, still I'm thankful for small mercies.

Some folk have real problems.

There's a thread going on here at present with regards to folk passing away.

It happens. Lost a good mate of mine last week, it's his funeral on Thursday.


These Quays at Salford are attractive. They've done some nice work there.





A very attractive and clean looking place to live.




Some of those 'people bridges' were amazing, they looked good enough to support traffic from the M6 if it were to be detoured around.




The architecture in general is quite nice.




Nice views for the owners as well.

Whoops! Man U have kicked off against Villarreal,

Later..

[Mathos]

Not exactly the best of games 0-0

They both go through though.




There was a great deal going on as well. Television people and a few hundred hopefuls entering the Britain Has Talent Contest. Apparently they were doing the auditions there.



The Lowry name has certainly got a following now.

I don't reckon 'Old Lowry' ever expected anything like this being in his name when he was painting' Match-stalk Men and Match-Stalk Cat's and Dogs.



There was plenty of work going on as well.

Office buildings, and additional apartments etc.




No Swimming..

Bbbbrrrrrrrrrrrr No chance..



There were a few nice boats about as well.

No 'Longtails' just sensible stuff.




The various apartments were pleasant enough from what we could see of them.

Not exactly my cup of tea, but each to their own.



Same with modern architecture, I do wonder from time to time.

[Mathos]

We did notice the water was really clear, very attractive looking.




Some fairly large basins as well.



The general formats of the buildings, well!

They looked rather 'higgledy-piggledy' in my opinion.



I suppose we could drag all the 'Planning Approval Councilors to Lancaster Castle, charge with with anything we wanted to and hang them out to dry on 'Pendle Hill'

You know it makes sense.



Whichever way you look at it though, the development in general is quite good.

The improvements from waste ex dockland is brilliant.



Yep, from a sensible and honest view point it's an excellent development.

[Mathos]

One of the nicest things in life, has to be watching people enjoy themselves.

Especially youngsters.





The television crews were getting set up,
the three young girls in the Martial Arts outfits
had been expressing their skills.

Others were in the complex practicing their singing skills,
one young lad was a wizard with a football,
from his feet to his head,
to his elbows, his chest his knees and his nose even.

It crossed my mind he was probably useless at scoring goals,
but what the heck, he was having fun.

The auditions were going on in-doors,
so there were hundreds of them wandering about,
inside and out, playing guitars and all of the above.



We certainly dropped lucky turning up on this day, it was brilliant just observing.




'And I thought to myself; What a Wonderful World.'




All of this going on at Salford Docks..




Look through any window, any time of day.

Look Through Any Window
Hollies

Look through any window, yeah
What do you see
Smiling faces all around
Rushing through the busy town

Where do they go
Moving on their way
Walkin' down the highways and the byways
Where do they go
Moving on their way
People with their shy ways, and their sly ways

Oh, You can see the little children all around
Oh, You can see the little ladies in their gowns, when you

Look through any window, yeah
Any time of day
See the drivers on the roads
Button down their heavy loads

Where do they go
Moving on their way
A driving down the highways, and the byways
Where do they go
Moving on their way
Drivers with their shy ways, and their sly ways

Oh, You can see the little children all around
Oh, You can see the little ladies in their gowns, when you

Look through any window, yeah
What do you see
Smiling faces all around
Rushing through the busy town

Where do they go
Moving on their way
Moving on their way
Moving on their way

Who'd have thought The Manchester Ship Canasl would have witnessed all this?