Wakes Weeks

Sarah Lancashire TV programme, Disappearing Britain about Lancashire Wakes Weeks.

Mill towns used to shut down for a fortnight each year, during which, maintenance was done on machinery in the cotton mills.

I grew up in the mill town Clitheroe, Lancs. in the mid 20th century when Wakes Weeks still survived. The various towns closed one after another, so no two were on 'holiday' at the same time. Families used to save up all year to have money for the fortnight because they weren't paid while the mills were closed.

Even in the 1950's - early 1960s, the tradition survived, and people by then had holidays with pay. Essential shops (grocers) opened in the mornings, newsagents sent lads to sell newspapers in parts of the town (mornings).

the Dust will Wait Hosts Fun Monday

Show me in pictures and/or tell me in words, what defines the place where you live.

First has to be The Bridge
Wherever you go, no matter how you travel you see the Bridge. Should the bridge be impassible or lanes reduced the whole area for miles around snarls up with traffic.

Next, the Airport Hotel former air traffic control tower and listed building.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

February 2009

began with warnings of severe weather particularly for SE England. Commentators remarking on the 'worst snow for 18 years' and the number of school closures.

1963 winter was much more severe, the River Ribble froze; I walked there with Dad to watch people on the ice; including a professional ice skater.

Schools remained open, I walked to school thro' lanes and streets banked up with snow.

No-one considered staying home even when they had to dig themselves out of their houses.

Steam trains kept running, Beeching hadn't yet axed most of the lines.
Moving on to grammar school, they too remained open throughout snowy winters. Anyone local remained in class, whilst those bussed in were sent home.

Mid 1970s at college in Liverpool, trudged along Queens Drive through the snow to attend early morning lectures, only to find them cancelled.

The school I worked in 1975-2002 also refused to close in winter. One memorable occasion, the heating failed, pupils were sent home, yet the Head insisted staff stay at work.

Staff were obliged to report to work whatever the weather on penalty of retribution by the Head .

links

• Mary Queen of Scots married
• James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell
• BBC Neil Oliver (archaeologist)
• http://www.open2.net/scotland/index.html
• Hepburn
• Chaucer Pilgrim's Progress
• BBC2

Now to link them

Neil Oliver was presenting his History of Scotland programme about Mary Queen of Scots.
He reached the part in her life where she married Hepburn.
The name had connotations, reminding me of sixth form English Literature studying Chaucer.
BBC2 were broadcasting Chaucer's Pilgrim's Progress. In those days few homes had TV with BBC2
Only one person had BBC2 her name? Hepburn

A group of us went to watch the programme at her house.

Pix

I have uploaded to Picasa

http://picasaweb.google.com/home

following trains of thought

itsmee wanted to know about visiting to Iceland.

Studying geosciences led me to membership of OUGS Open University Geology Society. Ever since I first studied geology at school, the place I wanted to visit was Iceland. It became my trip of a lifetime, my must do, I had to find some way to get there.

Reading a fiction book [insert details here] which described Iceland's scenery and a journey across it's wild interior, fuelled my intention to visit 'sometime'.

The opportunity arose when OUGS organised a field trip and I hastened to claim a place.
So, I flew from Manchester to Glasgow, met up with the rest of the group and had the happy experience of flying (Icelandair) to Reykjavik.

We had expert tuition from a retired prof of Geology who, having spent years in Iceland, had a network of Icelandic friends and contacts. Travelled by coach with Jan (driver) and a cook.
It was a great set-up. The idea being to make an economical journey visiting the sights without overspending. We split into teams of four, each taking a turn to help the cook with the catering.

Travelling the Golden route in the reverse direction to the usual tourist trips and staying in a series of varied accommodation ranging from guest house to community halls.

music

Ievan Polkka Lyrics

has fallen for the latest Ready Brek ad music

Fun Monday - The Lurchers

So for Fun Monday on 2nd February, firstly tell me what book you are reading now. What's it about? Are you enjoying it and why? If not, why not?

And secondly, if you were to be stranded on a desert island, what one book would you take with you.

Now this is a meme I can truly relate to

Memories are made of this?
Thinking back many moons to when I was in the lower sixth and thoroughly enjoying learning.

The desert island topic was set by English lit teacher
I was given A- and although 'happy' with the A could not understand the minus attached to it. Still to this day I do not know why it was A-
Scoured the prose and couldn't find anywhere a place that lost marks.

Typically, happiness marred by *what if?*

The set of books that inspired me now and still do?
Tolkien
Lord of the Rings

First read about the age of 12 and still returned to often.

Another memory surfaces

Being at a Grammar school there were competitions that we were expected to take part in
One of which was
*Spoken English*
A total 'no-no' for the likes of me with a then broad Lancashire accent
However, the first class reading (individual) was chosen by Miss Kippax
Anita and I grinned broadly when we saw it...
why?
Because it was none other then the opening paragraphs from 'The Fellowship of the Ring' by J R R Tolkien
Words we both knew by heart having already become so familiar with them.

Fast forward in time to the release of the first of the LOTR films, and Nita n I watching in the cinema, unable to control ourselves from quoting word for word as the film unfolded the story.

Am reading two books, not one.

Barack Obama (President)

Terry Pratchett (Disc world)

another idea

Name a book you own that you don’t think any of your friends own.

“Because you died” poetry and prose from the First World War and after by Vera Brittain

I read A Testament of Youth ages ago, and Jo Brand did a TV programme about Vera Brittain; from which I learnt about this book of poems. This led to me purchasing the book. Started reading, but still only done the first few pages as it is such a thought provoking work.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/print/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/10_october/06/vera.shtml

2. Name a movie you own that you don’t think any of your friends own.

Here, I’m guessing cos I think am the only one that really goes for Will Smith. But I might be wrong.

“Hancock” bought for Christmas, but I still have not yet viewed.

3. Name a CD you own that you don’t think any of your friends own

This is where I cheat a little, and opt for a music CD I have just ordered.
Breakfast on BBC 1 introduced me to a harpist, Catrin Finch and her new recording of Bach, arranged for the harp

4. Name a place that you have visited that you don’t think any of your friends have visited.

This is the only easy one to answer; Iceland is the place and although I was supposed to be planning another trip there for 2009 with Nita, events have overtaken us all.

5. Name a piece of technology or any sort of tool you own that you don’t think any of your friends own.

Another tough question seeing as we are all pretty much similar in our ownership of tech devices.

I think I'm the only one with a DSLR camera as opposed to ‘point and shoot’. No, wrong again – Helen has a DSLR Nikon with which she took some fabulous images on her African photo safaris.

This needs thinking about...

It would be better to reword the meme to Name a piece of technology or tool that your friend owns and you would like to own.

pot pourri

Looking at various blogs, I came across one with an award system and thought I might *borrow* that idea.
mf

contraindications

Recently diagnosed with high blood pressure, I took the prescribed meds Calcium-channel blockers for three months and noted side effects.

They included

• headaches
• swollen ankles
• and dizziness

Latest appointment with GP went less than smoothly.

*arriving for 9 am I was told the appointment was with another GP, one I'd never met!
*asked if I'd asked for a particular GP; I told them the name of the GP I had been seeing regularly
*finally another appointment was made for 10.40 with the correct GP

Kept the appointment and after taking BP and discussing side-effects GP decided to change meds again.

Once I reached home again I checked the docket to find listed side-effects.

Latest meds can have an adverse impact on

• kidneys
• digestive tract
• respiratory system
• skin and other tissues

and many more...

Then I read that these meds affect Raynauds! I already have Raynauds!
so, I dread to think what the next month of taking the meds will bring...

yesteryear

The 1911 census has appeared online and this led me down memory lane. The 1980s were traumatic, never having had the luxury of a big or even close family, that decade robbed me of the few relations I once knew.
Singly, but with persistent finality, death claimed the remaining members of my family.

A long-lasting effect of that decade has been loss of memory. The brain can only cope with a certain amount of stress; so, when the level is high enough it goes into shut down, a kind of fugue state blacking memories out willy-nilly. (nolens, volens)

quotes

Birthday present from my god-daughter
"signs for senior moments"

• No-one is ever old enough to know better
• I'm not "over the hill"; I don't remember being on top of it
• Despite the high cost...living remains popular
• Youth passes...but...with luck, immaturity can last a lifetime
• Age is a high price to pay for maturity
• It's hard to be nostalgic when you can't remember anything
• I've forgotten more than I've ever learned!
  

Tardy

It's been over a month and another year since my last posting (slapped wrist). But when everything seems to be problem and technology decides to become uncooperative there's not much to be done.
Add onto that the being a tad unwell situation and most things go by the board. Have no idea which winter 'plague' decided to lay me low nearly a week ago; but I wish it would leave me alone.
Now adding insult to injury, my lower back has decided to add itself to my list of aches and pains.
Back to the pain meds (scuse the pun)

new for old!

Spent I don't know how long rejigging my home network.
Typically, did things back to front

It al began when OH bought me a new tower pc and snazzy monitor as early Xmas present.

Several hours/days or do I mean 'daze' later, I have started using new pc and monitor. My original 'work space' was too small, so OH has constructed a bespoke work surface which fits on top of the original desk. Now, I can view the 22 inch monitor from the proper distance.


However, the age and construction of the house have defeated modern technology. I cannot access the www from the new dining room! Wi-fi will not work and neither would using plug-in via the mains. Too many iron brick walls in the way. Also, this building has at least 3 separate ring mains.

blast from the past

Came across someone that I worked with during my days of torment in previous 'life'.
No idea why I 'let on' and said 'Hello'. guess I was being polite.

Well, I gained an update on the past nearly 7 years worth of what's been going on in that place and momentous changes are afoot for 2009.

The old place, scene and witness to my years of torment is to be closed and demolished in 2009. Two people I knew have lost their jobs completely, the head will not be in charge of the new site, but she still has her snout in the gravy trough/

Meanwhile, they are busy on a spending spree, using up funds on such things as a jolly to Iceland by a guy that was my junior and a proverbial waste of space. Politically correct sycophant with no knowledge of geology or of the physical side of Earth Sciences.

the pressure is on or should that read up

Tomorrow afternoon it's back once more to the medical centre :-((
Must remember to take with me results of the ECG.
Am trying to be 'good'; no spicy foods, no alcohol and drinking decaf coffee.


This is what the bruising looks like, fortunately, it's only on one arm and is now multi-coloured so must be on the mend
That's the result from a careful practitioner, doesn't need much of an imagination to realise why I do not like blood tests. There's nothing much to see on my other arm; but the length of time it took!!!

According to the doctor nothing untoward shown in test results, but he put me on meds for the next month.

not in this universe

chatting to a long, long time friend of many, many moons.
Sisters we ought to have been,we are only one's and sisters by choice.
(You can choose your friends...)
I needed a chat to share/mull over recent happenings. We are always 'there' for each other.
Explaining the events of the past week, nurse and doctor appointments and BP measurements. Mulling over the possibilities, laughter is the best medicine, let 'them' do their tests and see if there is an underlying problem.
Nurse recorded BP systolic 150s+ and 160s+ plus, doctor tested left arm 160+ and then right arm 190+ oops!
Hence I've got two appts on Monday morning both at the same hospital. An ECG and blood tests.
Did a 'dry run' to find how long it'd take to get there and where the place is.

Two days to take action (preventative measures). Decaf coffee!
Not in this universe...a reference to me often confusing the medics, and their readings, what's the norm for others is rarely norm for me...

More rotten news, god-daughter is in hospital. {{{hugs}}}}
Hope she' better soon.
Curiously, the way I found out was online!

Luckily she has web access, so I can keep in touch.

My hospital visit went better than expected, but taking bloods is always problematic. The people at the Sir A Jones Memorial hospital were friendly and professional. Hardly any bruising to speak of, tho' it was a struggle to get enough in the vial.

Even went for ECG an hour early so didn't need to wait. How good was that! Result of ECG no worries. taking printout with me to appt with doc on Friday.

quandry

Last Christmas OH bought me a new camera D-SLR and am just getting to feel comfortable using it as it has lots of 'bells n whistles'
Now he wants to buy another for this Christmas because they have brought out an even more 'all singing and dancing' one!
Also, there is a special offer / discount £££ off the usual price.
I'd be happier if he spent less and bought me a wide-angle lens for my camera.

Shouldn't moan but...