A trip south and a new arrival.

Saturday the 14th of June

That was two weekends on the trot I missed walking with the Wigtownshire Ramblers.

Instead I took to the road and drove down to

Ulverston.

I was here to join up with fellow Sons of the Desert for 'Another Fine Fest', a day of celebration to celebrate Stan Laurel's birthday.
I was here October 2013.

Local volunteers were handing out programmes of events and helpful information.

These guys were certainly into the spirit of the day.  

The town was already busy when I arrived just before midday.

The 'Crew' wore appropriate Tshirts. Someone had knitted a woolly hat for Stan's birthday.

 I was the first of Our tent 'Their Purple Moment' to arrive.

The boys asked me to join them for a picture.

Much of the day's activities were centred around Ulverston's Laurel and Hardy Museum.

There's a 1990 BBC/Youtube interview with the late Bill Cubin about the Sons of the Desert.

It was Bill who put Ulverston on the map as a place of pilgrimage for all U.K. Sons (and Daughters). 

All day long an artist worked on a wall painting.

As the day progressed so did Stan

The artist worked off a group of photographs he had.

After I met up with my fellow tent members, we headed to the Rose and Crown for lunch and liquid refreshments.

As well as our tent, we met up with familiar convention faces from Southend, the Wirral, Manchester and Sheffield to name a few. 

A walk around the town helped to counteract the effects of the lunchtime over indulgences.

My fellow tent members get in the picture.

We hadn't planned an overnight stay, so we were destined to miss the evening showing of Paul Merton's Impromptu Show. 

After saying our farewells, these guys headed back to Scotland while I headed to 

Caton near Lancaster

The collage above shows the house, garden and chickens where i'd be spending the night.

After my very good experience with Airbnb on my american trip, I'd decided to use them again.

My host were Janet and Laurence, and as well as being nice folk, my bed and breakfast deal at £23 was excellent value for money.

After a welcoming cup of tea, I headed down to the village of Caton for a few provisions and a walk.

An old railway track took me down to the Crook O' Lune and the very scenic River Lune.

Had I been here earlier, I'd have continued the walk into Lancaster, but by now the sun was now getting low in the sky.

Back at Denny Bank, I switched on the football on the TV in my room, but managed to sleep through England's first half against Italy. I woke up to watch the second half, and I didn't laugh when they got beat. I thought they'd played well. (rubbish since mind you!).

In the morning Janet set me on the road with a delicious breakfast and six of her free range eggs for 80p.

I headed down the M6 and M5 to arrive just before noon in

Cheltenham

Above left in this 'Optical Oddity' are Sarah and Marie, my youngest daughters.

I've a feeling that the E-type Jag owner is a teacher at the nearby Cheltenham Ladies College.

We headed to the town centre pub, the Vine

What's that small bundle Sarah's holding ?

It's a Vine-L day at the pub, and here's me with the one and only Phil G Vine-L DJ

Also joining us today is Marie's partner the multi instrumentalist (in the middle) Mr Chris Cundy.

Now, going back to that little bundle Sarah's holding and a reason for my visit...........

..............she's Audrey Cass, the three week old daughter of Phil and Sarah and my fifth grandchild (my third lovely granddaughter)

I've now managed to group my grandchildren into two short abbreviations, ACE and CJ.

ACE = Audrey, Charlotte and Erin.

CJ = Callum and Jack.

  

I love all my grandkids, but at the present time I've got a favourite. (she's probably their favourite too)

She really is a beauty.

At this point, this post jumps forward a day. On Monday the 16th we had a day at the amazing Slimbridge Wetlands Centre and I'll be uploading a separate post in due course.

So, I've said cheerio to Marie and Chris, (I loved your breakfasts Marie) gone up to Phil and Sarahs and cuddled Audrey, more cheerios and I'm on the way down the M5 and M4 to the far side of Bridgend.

I'm visiting my brother Andrew and his wife Anne.

After settling in, getting well fed and a village walk we're visiting some folk I haven't seen since 2003.

Burringham to Boston 

Not changed much then !

In the pictures are my niece Jo, and her girls, my great nieces Lucy and Caitlin.

It's a delight to see that they've developed into fine young level headed young ladies. They'll do fine. Loved seeing you again girls.

Below's collage includes a couple of pubs, a millionaire's daughter's house, a pub cat and castle towers. 

The next day I accompanied Anne and Andrew to a hospital on the outskirts of Bridgend where Andrew has just begun radiotherapy treatment. 

After returning home for a caffeine intake, we headed out to Porthcawl.  

There were lots of holiday makers and the sun shone.

Until I zoomed in, the head bottom left kept disappearing under the water giving the impression of a seal. I got that wrong ! 

There are some very nice apartments here. 

Down at the harbour we witnessed a lifesaving exercise by the Rest Bay Lifeguards.

Just opened officially earlier this year, the marina is full of boats. A worthwhile investment by the look of it.

We had sandwiches and drinks at Pietros. A handsome classic car stood in the street.

Out to sea was the fishing boat SA 524, the Billy Joe.

After just missing being booked by a traffic warden we drove out towards the golf course.

I'd said to Andrew that I could name every golfer in the picture, but when it came to it my memory played tricks on me. As you can see above, I've since added the names !

It appears that the former miners convalescent home may well be turned into luxury apartments.

It has a History associated with Florence Nightingale. 

While Andrew and Anne sat to enjoy the sea views, I did a little rock exploration.

There are now three Porthcawl stones outside my back door.

Walking back to the car we noticed that the filming we'd spotted earlier was still continuing. They seem to be focusing on the chap in the wheelchair. Maybe someday, someone will spot this and answer the question.

Back at Andrew and Anne's I had another coffee before taking my leave. Sorry my visit was so short folks, I should have stayed longer. I hope tomorrow's Rambler's outing was worth the dash.

I hadn't looked at my map, but I'd planned to take the M4 back to the M5. However, just east of Newport I noticed the A449 and a sign indicating the M50 so I took it. A lovely drive took me up to the A40 bypassing Monmouth. When my traffic alert told me of a delay on the A40 at Ross-on-Wye, I thought I was in for a long delay. Luckily I was through the problem and on to the M50 in twenty minutes.

I had planned to book in and stay overnight somewhere around the Potteries. Congestion on the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester was really bad. We were stopping and starting at every other exit.

I persevered on until the traffic had eased and I made it to Preston and the Tickled Trout .

After some food and drink, I decided I didn't want to spend £52 for a room only.

I got back in my car thinking I'd go back to Janet and Laurence another half hour up the road. However I'd have a cat nap first. After tilting the car seat and getting comfortable I closed my eyes.

I woke up two hours later !

After grabbing my towel and having a wash, I felt much better and made the decision to continue home.

Three hours later I was in bed. I slept well !

That was one busy, fulfilling and very enjoyable trip.

N.B. Getting back early gave me a chance to catch the Queens Baton Relay Cavalcade through the town.

Another reason for being pleased about getting back early were the reports of long delays on the M5 and M6 and the A75 road closure all day. 

      

A 'Glebe' Runabout - October 2013

Watch the birdie ! That's another nice mess..............

What's goin on here then !

OK, so here's what I've been up to.
I travelled over to Fife to meet up with my cousin Jean and her husband Bob over on holiday from Western Australia and back to their roots. We also met up with my aunt in Glenrothes and a couple of other cousins one of whom I was meeting for the first time.
As well as walking and socializing around Kirkcaldyand Glenrothes we went off one day to Glamis Castle and Arbroath.
I then drove down to Ulverston in Cumbria on an overdue pilgrimage to the birthplace of Stan Laurel. I stayed there overnight visiting the Laurel and Hardy Museum and going to the pictures to watch 'Sunshine on Leith'.
I then headed up to the Gordon Walker Chalet at Stair in the Newlands Valley to join my fellow ramblers for some walking.
All in all I had a very pleasant excursion.

I'll begin with pictures from.........

Glamis Castle and Arbroath 

After a run around in Dundee (the roads never used to be so confusing) we got to the home of the late Queen Mother. For the uninitiated the ' I ' is silent.

That is one superior Doocot (pigeon house)

There were some lovely highland cattle in the field adjoining the car park.

This wee fella was adorable.

We got tea and cake in the castle restaurant.

We learned that all the fittings, ovens and this fire are all as they were originally installed.

A picture on the wall of the restaurant.

We took the guided tour and were amazed at the history. Anyone who was anyone over the last 900 plus years gets a mention. In 1034 AD King Malcolm II was murdered at Glamis and the first of a castle being built was in 1376.

Here's links to their web page Glamis Castle and their Facebook Page

Some readers may remember My 2008 Trip

I can't find a thing on the internet about the lettering PLEK-HMCK. Anyone ?

The estate,  parks and gardens cover more than 14,000 acres.  

Here's Jean and Bob outside the castle.

It's just a little bigger than their pile in Baldivis WA 

After Glamis we headed for Arbroath and came upon Balgavies Loch

Here we saw Pink Footed Geese, Greylag Geese and a few other varieties of our feathered friends. 

A very nice stop on the way.

Jean and Bob raised their family on Seafood back in Australia, and Arbroath is like heaven to them.

We came away with 'Smokies' of course. We visited M & M Spink where Bill showed us around his smoker and told us of his appearance on the Rick Stein television programme.

I noticed while looking up websites that there's more than one Spink in the Smokies business so to satisfy my curiosity I looked up Spink Arbroath in the phone book........there's 28 phone numbers there !

moving on we're now back in.........

Kirkcaldy

Above Burton's the Tailors in Whytescauseway. The Burma was the usual place I and my cousins used to go to dance in Kirkcaldy, but on occasions I would get myself up here to the Ritz  Plaza Ballroom...........ah ! memories. (not the bloomin Ritz)

Jean and Bob in the Robert Nairn

A dark but historic walk home.

It may be October but there's still a lot of blooms around

We're on a windy wild walk to the south of the town. You can still see coal dust in the sand from the now redundant Fife Coalfield. There were as many as fifty collieries at various times over a century plus. Many were open when I was young and a lot of my mother's family were miners. I used to hear that they'd been working under the Firth of Forth where some of them extended.  

It's rough out there but the fishing boats still brave it. There's an old saying that some of you might know "It taks a lang spoon tae sup wi' a Fifer." Fifers may be fly and mistrusting but better workers you'll not find anywhere. Although I was born in Forres, I still consider myself a Fifer (so don't cross me ha ha)

Kirkcaldy (pronounced kir caw day) has changed much since the days of my youth.

The pedestrianization like many other towns has taken it's soul away.

Maybe it's just me.

Right ye are then, I'm away tae..................

 Ulverston

I get myself booked in at Church Walk House, a Grade 2 Listed Building. 

I got a single room for the night for £35. The facilities and my breakfast meant I'd got a bargain, a nearby pub wanted £85 for a room for the night. 

I'm in town early enough to wander round.

I find the Tourist Advice office is in the Coronation Hall.

These are the boys I'm here for.

We make a fine trio don't we.

This is the Roxy Cinema and the home of the Laurel and Hardy Museum

I spent a good hour in the museum.

Lot's of memorabilia and personal items. Lot's of history of Stan's family. 

Someone kept taken my picture............

...................might have been me 

Well worth a visit.

This is probably the bed Stan was born in

As a Son of the Desert and a member of the 'Their Purple Moment' tent, this was a pilgrimage on my part.

I left after purchasing the above fridge magnet.

I soon found number 3 Argyle Street

Although I found the Stan Laurel Inn it was closed and I never got back to it. 

I'm saving that for the next time.

This is Lantern House. It's up for sale at £699,999

Ulverston's a very interesting, picturesque bright and breezy town.

After dining in the Rose and Crown I headed out to the cinema to watch 'Sunshine on Leith'

A very enjoyable film featuring the Proclaimers music.

Me and the boys got re-acquainted.

After a good night's sleep and an excellent breakfast I check out and get my walking boots on.

I'm heading up Hoad Hill to the Hoad Monument.  It commemorates Sir John Barrow who was born in Ulverston in 1764. Sir John was a founder member of the Royal Geographic Society.

It's not a difficult walk and the views are soon forthcoming.

I'm soon looking north to the Lakeland mountains.

It can be accessed on Sundays and bank holiday during the summer months. They fly the flag when it's open.

Information boards show distant landmarks.

I decide to come down the steeper slope with views over the town.

Back in the car I'm now heading north to join my rambling friends in the Newlands Valley near................

Keswick 

I travel up taking occasional stops as here at Coniston

It's sheep country too. Driving can be hazardous.

The sheep top left above actually seemed to smile at me (no names please !). It's a local Herdwick I think.

I've time to take in scenery as I get in touch with Scoop and find out that they're climbing Blencathra.

I've arranged to meet them for dinner in the Horse and Farrier in Threlkeld for dinner.

There are eight ladies in the group and only me of the opposite sex. It'll be an interesting couple of days !

Dinner is excellent I'd well recommend it. At the chalet, arrangements were made for me to sleep in a quiet corner, meaning I didn't need to sleep in the car. Thanks ladies.

The following morning we're heading out for a shortish walk as there's rain forecast for later in the day.

We drive over to Seatoller to start walking up to Castle Crag

It's quite cool but dry as we head through Borrowdale

Castle Crag looks small against it's larger neighbours.

Wainwright included it in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells because it "is so magnificently independent, so ruggedly individual, so aggressively unashamed of its lack of inches, that less than justice would be done by relegating it to a paragraph in the High Spy chapter."

We reach a point to overlook Derwentwater and Keswick

There are numerous paths and our leader the 'Musician' is right on target in selecting the right ones.

It's not Venice, but it could be the 'Bridge of Sighs'...... aah............

It's quite a climb from the base.

There's been extensive quarrying on the crag.

The gazelles of the group are already ensconced on the summit

Castle Crag was given to the National Trust in memory of 2nd Lt J Hamer and the Men of Borrowdale who perished in the great war. The plaque is a war memorial.

What a pretty picture you make ladies.

As others before us have done we leave our own little monument inscribed WR.

I deny any knowledge of the bottom graffiti.

Time to move down the 'Jaws of Borrowdale' and stop for a lunch break.

Love that tree !

We descend to the River Derwent and turn south. We find Millican Dalton's cave.

Reading up on him it seems he was quite a character. I too used to smoke Woodbine cigarettes !

Millican Dalton

Other caves are also available.

When the rain finally arrived it came down with a vengeance.

The YHA Borrowdale Hostel at Longthwaite appeared like an oasis in the desert.

Wonderfully welcoming and real value for money fare.

Having to put wet gear back on to get back to Seatoller was a bummer though.

Still, it was a fabulous walk.

That evening we headed out to Keswick's Theatre by the Lake to watch a wonderful production of  Oliver Goldsmith's 'She stoops to conquer'.

It's now Thursday morning and I've decided I'm heading home later today.

Here's the gang outside the chalet.

We're heading east up through Skelgill farm passing these fine specimens of animal-hood on the way.

It's a gorgeous day after all the rain yesterday.

Reaching Derwentwater we encounter an out of time World War One soldier going by the name of Corporal Duncan. He was due to meet up with others of his ilk to do a re-enactment for schoolkids from the Merseyside area. 

It's no wonder people are attracted to this area the scenery is cracking.

We see the cruise boats running up and down the lake a lot on today's walk.

They're run by the Keswick Launch Company 

John Merrill's Sculpture 'Entrust'

 The plaque says, the wooden sculpture commemorates the centenary of the National Trust's first ever land purchase, 108 acres of the Brandlehow estate, below Cat Bells on the western shore of Derwent Water, in 1902. The wood was opened on 6 October 1902 by Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria. The sculpture of cupped hands was unveiled on 16 October 2002.

"Celebrating 100 Years Of The National Trust Caring For Your Countryside At Brandelhow 2002

For Ever For Everyone"

We walk along the lake shore till we reach Brandelhow Bay before heading up to the road and the start of the climb.

It's amazing how the slightest boost to a photograph can turn it into something resembling an oil painting.

Purists can scoff, but it's no different to adding filters direct to the camera. It's my composition and I'm extremely happy with it..........so there. ha ha ha

  

We're zig zagging up Catbells, arguably the most popular hill in the lakes.

A few of the paths I remember from our January 2010 Visit have been closed to curtail the erosion. Alternative paths have been opened up.

I thought I'd construct a postcard with a few pictures.

Sadly I've lost two of my ladies on the summit, but these six beauties are enough for any one man.

After lunch just below the summit, I get my hugs and begin my descent. Scoop was right, the north ridges are the hardest descent. Goodbye for now ladies I'll see you soon.

I again met up with Hawkeye (The Sloane Ranger) and the Musician on the Friday night at the Isle of Whithorn village hall. We were there for a magical night of music featuring the fabulous Gaberlunzie and The Cochranes of Wigtown

It's been an enjoyable run around. Mind you I don't get around half as much as Sandy of Witterings fame