Liverpool Trip Part 2

So Sunday morning prior to meeting J. I got the train to Formby, and I walked, or is it stalked! My great-grandparents house again, I walk to the end of the street and had a wonderful cup of coffee and one of the best almond croissants I think I've ever had in my entire life, and that is saying something! 

I got the train back and was back in Liverpool and for some reason decided then to Google our Nelson shipping company once more, and maybe the way in which I asked Google the question it came up with the dock from which the Nelson company shipped from!

And it actually is the Nelson Dock! So I walked to it, and in retrospect I could have got off the train much earlier on my return Journey because the walk took nearly an hour and I was retracing those steps that I had taken on that train! 

Needless to say it was a very long walk and once there I took a couple of photographs, and nearby some people were working on some land just clearing it, and tidying it up. 

There was some Portacabins there on the site, and inside was a lot of information about the docks going back to the very start of the Liverpool dockyards. 

The many people that left their countries far and wide, and all the merchandise that came and went from the docks. 

I was going to get a taxi back to the city center, but chose instead to just walk and take my time. 

Then I met J. And we walk down to the Albert dock and we had a drink aboard a boat called the Daffodil, it was a beautiful sunny warm day and we sat there on the top deck, glasses of blush wine in our hands, and reminisced about our days back home, in Spain. 

After we left the docks we went to a restaurant to have dinner, and then I walked J. A little way back towards the bus station and then I turned around and went home to the hotel room. 

Monday morning before leaving for my return journey to Nottingham, I went into the British music experience in the Cunard building by the docks. 

I would have gone in there before, but, my granddaughter was going to be in there! 

I had booked my hotel room and to meet my friends, back in January or February. And when my granddaughter said she was going to be in Liverpool about 3 weeks before I was going there, I couldn't believe the coincidence! Absolutely incredible! Of all the days and weekends in the year, she was going to be there that Monday morning before I left in the afternoon. 

Even the fact that I chose to arrive Saturday and to leave monday, instead of staying Friday and Saturday and leaving sunday, which would have been a more usual weekend away. 

I had walked around the music exhibition which was amazing and definitely worth a return trip, or three, there had been no school parties in as I had entered a 10:00 a.m. when it had opened, so I thought I would go and have a cup of coffee, exiting through the shop, the only way out as per the norm, out into reception I went and there she was! 

We chatted a little bit and I also spoke to two of her teachers, one of which I had seen many times before. 

You can't make life up can you?! Although I suppose if we could some of our lives would be very different. 

M.

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one.

Pocahontas
 

Liverpool Weekend part 1

13th through to 15th of June, and absolutely no excuse for my lack of Blogging, procrastination some I guess...

Feet not touching the ground a lot maybe? 

So! June 13th train to Liverpool Lime Street!

Off the train and straight to Costa for coffee and something to eat! Well needed, train journey was okay, except a hiccup where something was supposedly on the track and we were told we had to get off.. we did, only to be told we didn't have to now! So my last 3/4 of an hour was spent standing up on an overpacked train, I haven't moved out of my seat and gone on to the platform could not get back to my seat. 

I had been to Liverpool once before, to the city center but only briefly back about 30 years ago, helping someone collect something which I can't even remember now what! 

After my coffee and lunch I went to find the hotel so I would know where to return to at 3:00, I now had about an hour and a half to wait, so I walked down to the Albert dock I had a wander around, and saw a small boat was about to leave for and half an hour sail around the docks, I paid and boarded, no actually I boarded then paid after I'd ordered my hot chocolate with marshmallows! 

I had sat down at a table for six, where a couple was sat already opposite me just leaving one table for six in case a big family came along. 

We chatted here and there along around the journey, it was the first time the girl had ever been on a boat of any kind whatsoever! 

After the boat trip I walked to the hotel and got there at 3:01 perfect timing, entered got my room key card and went up to my room. 

Was I really lovely room it was dual aspect out onto two streets, Fenwick Street in front which was where the hotel was and the road on the side which went straight down to the docks, and forgetting the actual name no it's Brunswick Street, and also known as the A41!

Which oddly is the road throughout my lifetime of being in England I had always been very close to, not emotionally! But as in lived on lived by or worked on or worked by all of my life in England up until now. 

These are various buildings in Liverpool I'm sorry I have not listed their names there was the Cunard building which is where the British music entertainment show is. 

And above this beautiful building near the railway station. 

Above is the Nelson dock, which is where our family shipped from back in the late 1800s. 

This great upside down house in the city center, I didn't go in next time I will my ticket for the music exhibition is open all year so I will be back! 

If you remember I had two friends meeting me in Liverpool for this weekend, both of which couldn't make the trip for my friend coming from Spain, and my friend here in Liverpool was working, so I did get to see her on sunday, J. Was so good to see her I waited up by the bus stop where she was getting off the bus, I knew the number, and as soon as I saw her I started leaping about I could banshee, and so was she inside the bus!

M.

At 65 everything goes downhil

So why does everything feel like uphill!

©MarianBonelli

Northchurch, Berkhamstead

 

Todays Blog is a bit purloined from Google, Cheers! 

I started watching a series on Prime, Sean Bean in The Frankenstein Chronicles.. and without giving spoilers I am presuming, hoping? Most people will have read the book, seen a movie or at the very least learnt about the story line at some point.. As although Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was a work of fiction... some aspects were far nearer the truth than we would wish! 

So! Googled 'body snatchers Northchurch' and amongst the information was this!

The Sparrows Herne Turnpike: The main road running through Northchurch (now the A41) was a primary coaching route directly into London.

Who knew!! Who?? I had lived pr worked, prior to moving to Spain, either on the A41 or very close to it, and never in my days did I ever learn of it's previous name..here and there of course, it is London Road, Tring Road ... Etc etc.. 

But, the length and breath of it, from Bushy Heath to Aylesbury!

Carry on reading.. this has got a bit mixed up with my intervention!

The most significant connection Northchurch has to the fear of grave robbing centers around its most famous historical resident: Peter the Wild Boy. Found feral in Germany in 1725, Peter was brought to England under the care of the Royal Court and spent his final decades living at Broadway Farm in Northchurch.When Peter died in 1785, the local community was highly aware of his national fame. Because medical anatomists and private collectors in London placed an incredibly high premium on "unusual" or distinct bodies for biological study, Peter's corpse was considered a prime target for resurrectionists.

While the graves were heavily guarded, Northchurch experienced other major historical crimes during the same era. Notably, in 1801, the notorious highwayman James Snooks (known as "Robber Snooks") robbed a mail boy near Bourne End in the parish of Northchurch. He became the last highwayman to be executed in England, and like the body-snatching trade, his exploits contributed heavily to the region's historical reputation for dark, late-night criminal activities.

The "Sparrows Hill" Turnpike, officially known as the Sparrows Herne Turnpike, was an 18th-century toll road connecting Bushey Heath to Aylesbury in England. Established in 1762, the 22-mile route now broadly corresponds to the modern-day A4251 and A41.

History & Development: The Sparrows Herne Turnpike Trust was established by an Act of Parliament in 1762 to collect tolls and fund the upkeep of the highway.Route: The route ran through Watford, King's Langley, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead, and Tring before reaching Aylesbury.

End of Operation: Tolls were ultimately abolished, and the Trust was dissolved in 1873.

Surviving Landmark Several original cast-iron turnpike milestones and markers still exist today. For example, the ⁠Historic England Sparrows Herne Trust Marker in Tring and the ⁠Berkhamsted Turnpike Marker are officially protected heritage sites.

My photographs, New Road in Northchurch at the top, followed by a view from above, of the Grand Union Canal beneath..

Then another view of the same Canal further along walking the tow path towards Dudswell.

Then St Mary's school, where it had been quite a family tradition to attend, my sons, myself, my mom from nine to fifteen, she was sailed over from America after her father died.. had he lived she was to attend the masonic school form girls in New York.. My grandmother and all her siblings etc etc etc!!

Next photograph is Ashlyns, my senior school and my son's.. and finally a view of Berkhamstead Castle..

Historically, the castle was home to a variety of prominent figures:1100s: Extensively rebuilt and expanded by Thomas Becket.1330s: Served as a favored home for Edward, the Black Prince, who frequently lived and hunted there

1400s: The castle passed to Cecily Neville, grandmother of two kings (Edward IV and Richard III), who ran a grand and orderly household there

The last royal resident to live in ⁠Berkhamsted Castle was Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, who occupied the castle until her death in 1495. Following her passing, the castle was abandoned as a royal residence and subsequently fell into ruin.

And that is the history lesson over with today!

M.

Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley.

Theodore Roethke - 1908-1963 - Author

Well that was a very interesting morning had a steam train ride, it was a Christmas present come late.

Fox & Edwards Events, from Ruddington to Loughborough.

A 90-minute journey, it was really good, comfortable on a sofa, very strange.

A desk one end with the cream tea, and at the other end were dining room chairs..  and a glass of Prosecco afterwards.

It was really lovely, the other choice had been fish and chips but I'm glad I didn't get the fish and chips train journey, because it was served in one of the other carriages sat at a regular table.. Still an old carriage, but would have just been a rail journey really.. 

Sofa was really comfy!

(Photo on left taken before we left while they were preparing the carriages..)

When I'm on my train to Liverpool next Saturday I shall expect a comfortable sofa and a cream tea and prosecco!

This week I won 15 pounds on the postcode lottery that was Thursday, and last night I won five pound 60 on the EuroMillion kerching!

Which makes up for buying a jacket that I saw on vintage for 15 pounds!

Walking back from ASDA just now needed some milk and bread, son messaged me about Snickers ice creams which made me have to buy some mint Cornetto!

Now I need to get home and eat one and relax for the day.

Talking into my phone to Blog then adding photographs makes for very disjointed writing! Apologies!

M.

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

Henry Stanley Haskins - 1875-1957 - Stockbroker - Author

 

Recently I have found this incredible band.. Burn The Silence.. listening to this as I write.. Half of You is gone.. 

Next Blog, I'll link to the first track I heard from this band from St Augustine, Florida, 2023.. 

What I've heard so far, their music is deep emotional and heartfelt.. 

Tomorrow's track.. all of the above, I was in tears.. of course! 

It's tomorrow already! Sat having coffee at Homemade, the cafe at the park near #1 son's.. 

No handle on the cup, bit like being back home! 

Wasn't going to get out today... you know, one of those days, but I forced myself out! It rained overnight, probably because I had watered the plants, my sweet peas are now in place with a lattice to aid their progress upwards.. and the sunflowers are actually looking like sunflowers now.. I think this is the first time I have ever grown them! Startling eh!

Yesterday was a trip to the post office, as I had Monday.. been having a bit of a binge on eBay.. selling, not buying.. 

Yesterday I dropped off a Cath Kidston tote bag I bought in a charity store when I was staying with my friend T. in Alicante area last year.. bought for €5 and sold for £5! 

Have I actually not posted since May 15th?? 

Sorry, been another rough time! My rocky road doesn't get easier.. must be those rocks I cast ahead of me as I walk! 

So! Going through my things out of storage, to slim them down again... I guess the .. nope that wasn't going well that sentence! 

I came across about 60 house listings from when we were selling our apartment back in 1981 and looking to move to Berkhamstead..

I put them in the 'to bin' section and moved on, came across a brochure from British Telecom and the phones of the day back also in 1981.. 

I took a photograph and put in the same pile as the listings.. something made me use Google lens and I saw that a brochure has been for sale on eBay... and sold! 

So I loaded it up, eBay suggested £5.65.. and that is what it sold for!?! Incredible eh?? A single piece of glossy paper, folded twice, of 1980's telephones!! 

The listings I sold for £2.00! I thought why not make those forty seven years of carrying them around worthwhile! 

My flabber is gasted! (Flabbergasted!). 

I also sent a commemorative book from 1902 King Edward VII Coronation.. The celebrations in Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, filled with advertising and photographs from the day.. soft cover.. I guess my grandmother kept it... Also a tape measure from Wards drapers in Berkhamstead.. no point me carrying them around any longer.. they are now somewhere safe in the Berkhamstead Historical society..  Gone home, where they belong...

M.

In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit.

Anne Frank - 1929-1945 - Diarist

 

When all is said and done, maybe I would have been better off here with my ghosts, than living away from them ..

In Alhaurín now, home, heart body and soul.

M.

 

More from Ronda... Was a very long day, from getting the 06:35 coach .. three hours to get to Setenil de las Bodegas, then Ronda and three hours return journey... Very long journey...

But, of course, well worth it... Went with Rubena excursions from Fuengirola.. great coach guide, and driver.. 

Learnt that Orson Wells fell in love with this area and wanted to have something of his here... 

Taken, courtesy of Google:

Orson Welles (1915–1985) was deeply enamored with Ronda, Spain, spending many summers there and forging a close friendship with bullfighter Antonio Ordóñez. Following his death, a portion of his ashes was buried in a well at his friend's estate, El Recreo de San Cayetano. He is honored with a statue near the plaza de toros.

I took this photograph from inside a bar!

Today a bus ride to Benalmádena.. €1.75 each way,.not bad eh! A wander around the marina, a coffee, then a couple of hours on the beach before heading back to Fuengirola..

And tonight, dinner in the Buffet restaurant on the port.. So decidedly stuffed now! 

M.

“When someone really hears you without passing judgment on you, without trying to take responsibility for you, without trying to mould you, it feels damn good…”

Carl Rogers, American psychologist

Sitting here at the Don Miguel of Ronda.. 

I am drawn to thinking how amazing this beautiful county is.. 

The inner peace, the awe, the heart and soul of me feels it's life, it's heart and soul, and they match with mine.

Yet I left... Why it was time I don't know, I just knew I was sad staying, and never realized for a moment how much sadder I would be leaving..

Not forever I know, visiting is always an option..

But visiting home and leaving.. is difficult..

It was hard leaving England originally, because of my boys, and friends... But this pain of loss is worse in other ways..

And now if course I can see my son's whenever, and my beautiful grandchildren... But.. my soul remains here...

A good day, up way too early, many hours to get to Setenil de las Bodegas, a small on road train journey from coach to near calle de Sol, a fly around the loop, from calle sol to calle sombre, a coffee, and back on the little train and off to Ronda! Three and three quarter hours there... Time for walk, lunch at Don of risotto de rabo de toro, ( ox tail risotto), y un vaso de vino Ronda tinto.. very nice...

A walk, and stopped for coffee, barman easily persuaded me into adding tiramisu!

M.

Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strength.

Corrie Ten Boom - 1892-1983 - Watchmaker