Beautiful Lancashire

[penelope]

Mathos, I am so sorry to hear your tragic news, right on Christmas too......

Santa brought me a decent camera and so today I have been out in gorgeous sunshine and taken a few pics. Hope they lighten your hearts a little......

I might need to have a couple of tries as I've forgotten how to upload:-

[penelope]

[penelope]

[penelope]

[penelope]

[penelope]

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by penelope

Mathos, I am so sorry to hear your tragic news, right on Christmas too......

Santa brought me a decent camera and so today I have been out in gorgeous sunshine and taken a few pics. Hope they lighten your hearts a little......

I might need to have a couple of tries as I've forgotten how to upload:-

IMG]http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff156/penny1810/BoxingDay002.jpg[/IMG]

Thank you Penelope, the pictures you have placed on the thread above are excellent.

Arley Hall, in the same family for a few hundred years. Lord Ashbrook I recall is still in control of the same.

Good. So many have been handed over to The National Trust or others.

It's life though.

None of us actually own anything. The government own everything.

That includes the blood in your veins as well, If you doubt that statement, then think of the fields of Flanders, or places akin to The Crimea, The Falklands, or Iraq and Afghanistan for that matter.

If they want your blood, they'll take it.

The system wouldn't work if they didn't have that power.

"Onward Christian Soldiers" springs to mind all of a sudden.

[Mathos]

Talking of 'Christians' it takes me back to the thoughts of some of the Churches we have visited in England and Wales this last few months.

Outstanding architecture.

There is great strength associated with religion, I feel it is a very important part of our evolution and indeed our "General well being."

A great number of Churches attach themselves to the local folk, with all sorts of additional subjects, not simply prayer and hymns.

The subjectivity is then attached to prayer and hymns.

From St Wilfrid's at Ribchester.

Just a few days ago.

Splendid Church too.




This is good. Simple and direct.



The Historical Facts speak volumes, to those who wish to listen of course.



Making photographs, the likes of which Flobo and I have taken, far more interesting.




It creates much more depth to the importance of the building and faith associated with the same.

It's totally irrelevant to your actual belief.

It's the foundation it creates based on principals and morals.



The cemetery is also an additional but adjoining place of tremendous importance.




Steeped in historical births, marriages and deaths.



It automatically promises you eternity.

Providing you adhere to the rules of course.




The marker in the foreground of this photograph has a large electric light on the side nearest the Church, it must look superb of an evening. It also gives out a feeling of warmth and security to those needing comfort and assurance, especially.




The craftsmanship from top to bottom is outstanding.

No builders From Hell worked in here, did they!



Outstanding in a manner of speaking.




The simple arrangements for a countryside walk are blessed with the title

Pilgrim Trail.

How fitting I thought.

I like it.



I was quite impressed when I read the white pages above, especially with the last.

[Mathos]

I'll put some really interesting information plus photographs over the next few days with regards to the amazing Bath House ruins at Ribchester, we were quite impressed by the same.



The Roman fort at Ribchester covers an area of about seven acres, of which about a third has been destroyed by the erosion of the river. Excavation at various times and dates has revealed details of the fort defences, its internal buildings and the external civilian settlement or vicus. Portions of the granaries and bath house are still exposed to view.


The fort initially was composed of a substantial turf rampart with timber strapping and was fronted by three "V" shaped ditches, and appears to have been of Agricolan date. This fort appears to have been deliberately razed, and replaced by a smaller cavalry fort on a different alignment, which was again defended by turf ramparts. This fort appears to have possessed a cavalry practice hall, which is very unusual in Britain. The turf ramparts were cut into at a later date when stone walls were erected. The substantial vicus may also have been defended, at least in part, by a turf rampart, and evidence suggests that it too was deliberately destroyed and remodelled. The complex seems to span the period c.80 AD to the fourth century AD.

The bath house was discovered in 1837 when a hypocausted room was discovered by labourers. Excavations in 1927 and 1966-8 uncovered several stone walls, tile and stone pilae, furnaces and tiled floors. Excavation in 1977 uncovered features associated with the bath house and a preceding structure on the same site. The consolidation and re-excavation began in 1978.





We were both impressed by the ruins, a couple of photographs we took are placed below, I will place some more on and give more detail later.



It's quite amazing how far advanced they were so long ago in comparrison to the 'Brits' who were resident here.




You can see the River Ribble below, the waste water was chanelled into the same from this point after use in the bathing sectors.




Water was taken from the well, and used accordingly, the Bath House had furnaces to heat the water, and it must have been quite an enjoyable relaxing and cleansing experience.

Maybe orgies came into the same from time to time.



They did discover the original well.


Orgies, did I mention orgies?

I can't remember.

[TSR2]

Happyman stated recently that the Romans navigated the Ribble from Lytham to Ribchester, I find that hard to see, you might at high tide get past Preston up to Walton but after that difficult, As they built a road as Happyman said from Fleetwood to Ribchester why would they need a boat? that road can be seen on Ordanance survey maps , it ran thru Savick Nuclear processing plant (just outside of Lea ) thru Fulwood Barracks, if you look at Watling St Rd Fulwood standing at the lights at Garstang Rd it goes straight for 2 miles ,traverses dog legged around the Barracks for a mile then goes straight again as it rejoins the original Roman Rd , it continues again for 1.5 miles andthe Rd ends at Gammull lane, ( the Rd actually continues down some bodys private drive, ) On the map you can see the Rd going straight thru the Barracks, so Watling St Rd is built on a real Roman Rd

[Happyman]

^
Sorry - by Navigable I did not mean seagoing boats- as the roads were the sole property of the military the locals had to pay heavy taxes to transport produce to the towns from the countryside and the Romans were not keen on the peasants using the roads anyway. Produce was brought in by water - shallow draft punts towed by either horses or people !!
Many Roman towns were built at the head of navigation by these boats or at convenient points on navigable rivers Wroxeter- Bath- Glouscester - Chester are a few. Rivers were also deeper then with more water as these days with the water extraction the levels are a lot lower now than then .
Interesting that there is a road called Watling St. Road though.
Watling street was the roman road from Dover to london and on to Wroxeter .

[TSR2]

Originally Posted by Mathos

It was those fancy cheeses Flobo had ordered for Christmas.

There is a cheese shop in Preston that sells 12 kinds of Lancashire Cheese, from mild to blow your Gob off, its called Bambers, Orchard St , just at the end of the big covered market, do some nice pies as well

[penelope]

TSR2 - Thankyou for that info with regard to the Cheese shop in Preston. Being Lancastrians living in Cheshire, we find the Cheshire cheese delicious but rather bland compared to Lancashire - crumbly or creamy. We go home quite often to Blackburn and there we can buy the crumbly which they don't sell in supermarkets anywhere else much because it's crumbly!!!! Doesn't blow-pack well.

We'll definitely be giving that Preston shop a visit or two.

Pictures of my garden this morning for anyone in steamier climbs who might like to see the picturesque affect of the frost. My garden being nothing much to write home about as my grandson uses it as a football pitch.

Once again it might take me a couple of attempts:-

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by TSR2

Happyman stated recently that the Romans navigated the Ribble from Lytham to Ribchester, I find that hard to see, you might at high tide get past Preston up to Walton but after that difficult, As they built a road as Happyman said from Fleetwood to Ribchester why would they need a boat? that road can be seen on Ordanance survey maps , it ran thru Savick Nuclear processing plant (just outside of Lea ) thru Fulwood Barracks, if you look at Watling St Rd Fulwood standing at the lights at Garstang Rd it goes straight for 2 miles ,traverses dog legged around the Barracks for a mile then goes straight again as it rejoins the original Roman Rd , it continues again for 1.5 miles andthe Rd ends at Gammull lane, ( the Rd actually continues down some bodys private drive, ) On the map you can see the Rd going straight thru the Barracks, so Watling St Rd is built on a real Roman Rd

and:-

There is a cheese shop in Preston that sells 12 kinds of Lancashire Cheese, from mild to blow your Gob off, its called Bambers, Orchard St , just at the end of the big covered market, do some nice pies as well

You certainly know a great deal about Lancashire TSR2 and Preston like the back of your hand.

The input is much appreciated.

Must admit, it's quite a while since we have been on Preston Market!

Must put that right.


penelope wrote;-

Pictures of my garden this morning for anyone in steamier climbs who might like to see the picturesque affect of the frost. My garden being nothing much to write home about as my grandson uses it as a football pitch.

Once again it might take me a couple of attempts:-

Thanks again penelope, we had quite a frost last night as well.

Been a beautiful day though. Very cold, slight breeze, clear blue skies, a weak sun, all in all really nice.




This was about 10am.

I had a nice walk as well. About an hour, it was really pleasant. Passed by the hole in the ground from the power cut problem on Christmas Eve. They haven't back filled as yet, perhaps Monday morning before they do that. It appears to have been a previous repair that had gone faulty.



You can see an old joint assembly on the side, up top to the right.



Obviously they won't want to fill in whilst it's nice and quiet. It should cause mayhem for the motorists on Monday.

Happyman wrote:-

Sorry - by Navigable I did not mean seagoing boats- as the roads were the sole property of the military the locals had to pay heavy taxes to transport produce to the towns from the countryside and the Romans were not keen on the peasants using the roads anyway. Produce was brought in by water - shallow draft punts towed by either horses or people !!
Many Roman towns were built at the head of navigation by these boats or at convenient points on navigable rivers Wroxeter- Bath- Glouscester - Chester are a few. Rivers were also deeper then with more water as these days with the water extraction the levels are a lot lower now than then .
Interesting that there is a road called Watling St. Road though.
Watling street was the roman road from Dover to london and on to Wroxeter

Interesting and valuable input as usual Happyman.

I wasn't aware The Romans took such control of the roads. Makes sense though when you think of it.

As a point of interest, did the Romans ever become involved in the building of canals in the UK?

I'm aware that canals, being a very suitable way of transporting goods have been in existence for about four thousand years.

Mesopotamia I think, the Tigris and Euphrates were also connected by canals.

China used canals, they no doubt realised the ease of which goods could be carried and transported by the fantastic Rivers Yangtze and Huang-Ho.

The grand canal in China was over 800 miles long running between Hangchow and Peking, the longest canal in the world.


The Thais of course made great use of a canal system around Bangkok especially.






Singha boss?

[Happyman]

Ive got summat on Roman canals in uk somewhere - I will dig it out !!( No pun intended !)

Mainly in the fens and East Anglia if I remember right - will get back to you on this !

[Mathos]

We enjoy an Irish night at home this time of the year.

Mick and a few of his family and friends will be calling.

The acoustic is out of wraps and this is always a favourite.


Mick, like many other from The Emerald Isles, came over in the 60's he worked on building sites all over the country until he got his own firm up and running.

Quite a character.

Oh, Mary, this London's a wonderful sight
With people here working by day and by night
They don't sow potatoes, nor barley nor wheat
But there' gangs of them digging for gold in the streets
At least when I asked them that's what I was told
So I just took a hand at this diggin' for gold
But for all that I found there I might as well be
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.

I believe that when writin' a wish you expressed
As to how the fine ladies in London were dressed
Well, if you believe me, when asked to a ball
Faith, they don't wear no top to their dresses at all.
Oh, I've seen them myself and you could not in trath
Say if they were bound for a ball or a bath
Don't be startin' them fashions now, Mary Macree,
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.

I've seen England's king from the top of a bus
And I've never known him, but he means to know us.
And tho' by the Saxon we once were oppressed,
Still I cheered, God forgive me, I cheered with the rest.
And now that he's visited Erin's green shore
We'll be much better friends than we've been heretofore
When we've got all we want, we're as quiet as can be
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.

You remember young Peter O'Loughlin, of course
Well, now he is here at the head of the force
I met him today, I was crossing the Strand
And he stopped the whole street with a wave of his hand
And there we stood talkin' of days that are gone
While the whole population of London looked on
But for all these great powers he's wishful like me
To be back where the dark Mourne sweeps down to the sea.

There's beautiful girls here, oh, never you mind
With beautiful shapes nature never designed
And lovely complexions all roses and cream
But O'Loughlin remarked with regard to the same
That if at those roses you venture to sip
The colours might all come away on your lip
So I'll wait for the wild rose that's waitin' for me
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.

Six cases of Guiness and a few bottles of Jameson Irish. Probably New Years Eve, so far so good. That's just for Mick though.

Added

04:34

Double click on the picture above and enjoy it.

More on this later.

Time to eat.

[Happyman]

Got it !
They improved a lot of rivers but the only canals they built from scratch were the Fosse Dyke and the Caer Dyke.
The Fosse Dyke connected Lincoln ( a roman town ) to the the Humber estuary via the River Trent and the Caer Dyke primarily for draining the fens.

[Mathos]

Added

03:18

Celtic Thunder - The


Flobo preferred The Celtic Thunder Band.

They play and sing some brilliant songs

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by Happyman

Ive got summat on Roman canals in uk somewhere - I will dig it out !!( No pun intended !)

Mainly in the fens and East Anglia if I remember right - will get back to you on this !

Got it !
They improved a lot of rivers but the only canals they built from scratch were the Fosse Dyke and the Caer Dyke.
The Fosse Dyke connected Lincoln ( a roman town ) to the the Humber estuary via the River Trent and the Caer Dyke primarily for draining the fens.

Brilliant information as usual Happyman.

I laughed at the 'dig it out'

Thanks a lot.

[Happyman]

If you look closely at your pictures of Ribchester Church tower you can see that the structure is made primarily of fairly thin slabs of local ragstone interspersed with large rectangular blocks .

Its a 'pound to a penny' that these large stones were re-used from the Roman ruins in the area !
Check the similarity between them and the larger worked stones in the Bath House pictures .