Last Time in the Lakes.

But only for a while.  I can't begin to tell how hard it was to say goodbye this time.  I know I'll be back but I don't know how long I'll be away.  My heart really is in England and if I could, I would stay forever.
This last visit with Ernest and Gene was just as wonderful as the first, they've opened their home and shared their family with such graciousness. I've loved getting to know my cousins Brenda, Paul, Angela and her husband Rob.  I always feel that I am part of their family and that is what it's all about.  This time I was able to visit with my other Aunt and Uncle-John Margaret, and my cousins Michelle and Janice.  They live very near to Ernest and Gene's.
The weather was fabulous, it was above 23 celsius every day and not a cloud to be seen the entire time I was there.  This was a rarity to the Cumbrian people, especially after such a devastating winter with all the floods.
Only 46 days left and loving the thought of going home but dreading the thought of leaving.

This is in a small village called Ulverston.

Know as the birthplace of Laurel from "Laurel and Hardy", I thought the name of the shop was clever.

This is Ginger, he makes a couple runs a day to bird feeder, not always with success.

Don't worry Ginger nobody was watching, especially no one with a camera and a blog.

New handbag.

I took a couple hours to sit on the beach at Braystones, just a mile down the road from Ernest and Gene's, how glorious.

The western line runs right up the coast.

This is just an interesting shot.  Sellafield Nuclear power facility in the background and a tower in the middleground.

Behind Ernest and Genes.

Rupert and Paddington.

Fields of buttercups are everywhere.

We took a trip to Appleby.  Every year they are subjected to the Appleby Horse Fair, where gypsies come to sell their horses.  I say "subjected" because the residents are not  thrilled about the mess they leave behind and the theft that seems to accompany their visit.

Too bad I cut him off but I still like the colour and lighting.

I thought when I was posting the pictures that I did not take many but I did alright.  I have to leave some for my next visit.

Last Half Term

Only eight weeks and I will be back at home.  But I am going to make the most of every second.
The week before last  I was forced to go on a field trip. Let me just say "I HATE FIELD TRIPS!" The last trip I went on our group was stuck in an elevator with 20 teachers for and hour.  This time it was a half hour in a double decker bus with no air conditioning for half an hour at the side of a highway with 40 kids.
Last week I said goodbye to my year elevens.  It was bittersweet.  I know that they are going to be fantastic in whatever they do and I assured them this is just the end of a chapter and they will beginning an new chapter in their lives.  It was as much to reassure them as it was to reassure myself.
I am moving forward to my next chapter.  Still, I shed some tears.
In the midst of my feeling of loss I was informed that the people who bought mom and dad's place in Waterloo, cut down a tree that dad planted when I was about 17.  It was the pride of the neighbourhood in its day.  To make matters worse, the felling took place on the anniversary of my dads death, it's been twelve years now.
All this rolled into a giant ball of self pity which totally overwhelmed me and if I could have, I would have flown home in an instant. But, my kids stepped in, Leah called Andrew and between the both of them(and a generous neighbour) they raced over and reclaimed some of the wood to create something to remember dad and his beautiful blue spruce.
I've recovered now and today Graham and I went to Peterborough, it was grey and wet when we left but by midday the sun was shinning. "Canadian Factor."
This week I am off to visit Uncle Ernest, Aunt Gene and family in the Lakes. Looking forward.....

View from across and down the street from my place.

Field trip to Hull University.

I love the wild poppies that grow along the roadside and train tracks.

Gardens in Peterborough.

Peterborough Cathedral.

The original gears from the cathedral clock.

This came as a big surprise, Catherine of Aragon(Henry VIII first wife) was buried here.

And too Mary Queen of Scotts.

Town Hall.

Guess........ what are these?

Bike racks at the side of an 80 year old swimming pool, still in operation.

This is a traffic sign, what do you think it might mean?

HINT

It's a road that has a stream that runs over the road.

I waited for Graham to get the car and I could get a picture of him driving through the stream.  In the meantime this guy came by and put on a show for me.

This is Graham, LOLLOLOOLOLLL he is much more conservative.

What a great day out.

The First of Lasts

It is with a heavy heart that I have to say "this is probably the last time I will visit York." It's been so amazing to travel here with so many great friends: Ross, Theresa, Marjorie, Debbie, Jim and Graham. I've never tired of the views, all-in-all I've had the pleasure to visit five times and each time I've seen something different.
Over the next 77 days I know I'll be saying goodbye to: family, friends, students and places.  I hope I can get through it without too many tears. Knowing I am going home to: the places, friends and family I love, will no doubt be of great comfort.
So here is my visit to York; where every visit I think it has rained.

The 400 year old Market Hall.

Gate to the wall surrounding the city.  This visit we walked  about 3/4 of the wall and my first visit, three years ago, I walked the other 1/4.

Spring was abundant.

That is York Minster in the Background.

Inside view of the wall.

Outside view of the wall, the daffodils are near their end.

Private back yards.

What a beautiful city.  The North of England gets a lot of flack but I have to say that "I am a Northern girl at heart."