Mixed Bag

A mixed bag of emotions these past two days.
I am really enjoying my visit with my Aunt and Uncle and the opportunity to meet and get to know my cousins.  I am loving the chance to share memories of John and my dad but at the same time I am missing them immensely.

The view from outside my bedroom window in Egremont.

Sheep in pasture on the road between Ernest and Gene's and John's.

View from the road, overlooking the river.

Bridge at the bottom of the road.  It had been raining.

A Snail, self evident I suppose.

This is Amber, She was truely a rescue and they have been caring for her and saved her from an unfortunate start in life.  She is only a pound or two at the most and just a sweet hear.

This is a hotel/restaurant now but it was the school my father and his siblings attended until he turned 11 and then went to an engineering school

This is St. Bee's Beach.  It was extremely windy and perhaps not the best day to go to the beach but this is why we went.

My Aunt recognized the photo of me when I was only 4'ish and I did not know where it was taken.  She was so right, It was St. Bee's. : )

This is Paddington, one of their donkeys.

Here they both are, Rupert was quite jealous of Paddington getting his picture taken and came right over to share the fame.

Heritage Museum

A quiet Saturday today.  I am now on half term break.  I didn't think that I was tired but I actually had a nap today however it was after a morning of visiting the Grimsby town Fishing Heritage Centre.  This town was built on the fishing industry and now because of overfishing there is a ban on the fishing of Haddock.  In the early 1900's there were only a handful of fishing trawlers in the port.  In the mid 1900's there were over 700.  Today only 1-3 are ever in port.  The city has suffered because of this and no other industry has been able to succeed.

Part of a scene within the museum.   A motorized bike from the 50's.

There were various setups that as a viewer you are placed in the scene.

This is steel cable.  It is one and a half inch thick.  If the cable frayed, one single thread would be enough to decapitate a person.

This is the engine room  I think I can remember the details.  There are 7 cylinders each having 780 horse power.  The noise was incredible and was only a recording.  All of the engine crew would have gone deaf from the noise.

The galley and the mess room.  The dinner is set on tables which have a frame to hold the plates in place during rough water.  This is where the phrase "three square meals" came from.

I did not expect to enjoy the tour of the boat outside the museum, but our tour guide worked on the ship for two years and the passion he had for this ship was evident.  He made the tour so enjoyable.

As a side note, I am off to Whitehaven on Monday for a week.  My Uncle Ernest and Aunt Gene have invited me to visit.  I can't wait to see them and hopefully their family (missing John) and visit my dads birth place.

York

Spent the day in York
Sorry to all my tea totalling friends, I did not have a cup of Yorkshire tea but I did sit down and enjoy a cup of Earl Grey.  I went with a friend from Nipissing and his lovely wife.  He is leaving on Thursday but It's been great to have a person here that I know.
The day started off misty and wet but overall was not a hinderance.

Clock in the York Train Station

Bridge going through the wall that surrounds the city of York.

On the wall.

Looking from the top of the wall down to the river.

At the York Museum Gardens.

St Mary's Abby Ruins at the York Gardens.

York Minster.  We did not go past the entrance.  I did not think it was as impressive as the Lincoln Cathedral and really I am starting to think that when you've seen one, you've seen them all.

Beautiful Jaguar waiting for a bride and groom.

Birds of prey set up outside the Holy Trinity Church.  One of the oldest churches in England.

The front of the church. The original section was built in 1200 ad.  We visualized knights and ladies leaning up against the walls.

The most amazing streets and shops.  Crazy streets and misshapen buildings.  Think Sherlock Holmes.

The York Castle, Yes it was that high and that steep.  This is what remains of Clifford's Tower.  It would have been where the King or royalty would have gone if there was impending danger.  The rest of the castle no longer exists.

What it used to look like inside.

An arial view on a model.

The stair well to the top of the tower.  This is my favourite shot of the day.

Looking down to the centre of the tower.

The following are not miniatures.

However, I think they might serve for future miniature projects.  These are actual Victorian rooms set up in the Castle Museum.

My Grandmother used to have a bedpan like the one on the wall.  She would heat up stones in the fireplace and run the pan between the bedsheets before bed.

We had a great day.  I'm going to miss them when they go.  I really am thankful for this time we've had together....  I'm hearing Carol Burnett singing in my head right now.

Crayola doesn't make a colour...

This post is not as exciting for most of you as yesterdays was.  In fact it's more personal.  I want to say thanks to all of you who have supported me and here is just one small symbol that meant so much.
Ruthe, you gave me this about 4 years ago?  And I just want to say "thanks for your support".
Yes, I carried this block of note paper all the way over here and had to explain to the customs officer that it was symbolic.
I decided the day I received it that I would not open it until the day I could put it on my desk.  Despite the fact that I share the desk with other teachers here it is.
Thanks