Saturday 30 January 2016

Glasson Dock

Looking across the marina into the low winter sun

The River Lune estuary from the path to Condor Green

Locks on the Glasson Branch of the Lancaster Canal

Back at the marina

The lock gates from marina to dock...

.... and the ones from the dock to the marina. 

Looking across the fields to the canal-side Christ Church

Thursday 28 January 2016

More pics from Manchester

(Look carefully....on the wall!)

A Lighthouse! On a canal?

A footpath and cycleway that follow the route of a dis-used railway line 
The platforms that were part of a railway station


The former home of Lord Ellesmere


Part of Worsley Hall Golf Club

Tuesday 26 January 2016

Manchester

Some pictures from a visit to Manchester city centre 
The Lowry Centre at Salford Quays

Part of the ITV television studios at Media City UK

Another view of Media City UK

The tram-stop at Media City

A fine example of Victorian engineering on the Rochdale Canal at Castlefields

Another view of Castlefields

The Beetham Tower - an iconic landmark in the city centre

Canal Cottage on the Ashton Canal at Ancoats


You don't need to have a garden to own garden gnomes!

The Etihad Stadium at Eastlands

The bridge speaks for itself

On the bridge leading to the National Cycling Centre (the Velodrome) left and the BMX Centre on the right

Sunday 24 January 2016

A personal view of the snow blizzard in America



Saturday, January 23, 2016 11:43 PM   Washington DC
Hi Michael,

Thanks for thinking of us during this blizzard! The storm is beginning to wind down now -- about two feet of snow on the ground around our house so far. Maybe a few more inches before it's all over. Probably the largest storm DC has had in 20 years or more. 

Last year we invested in a gasoline powered snow thrower with our neighbors who share our driveway. It's been a blessing! What would have been an all day digging out effort, turned out to be a couple of hours. Will need to go back outside Sunday am to finish the job. We just need the plow to come and clear the street, hopefully Sun eve or early Mon am. Will try to go to work on Monday. 

We've been fortunate not to have lost power. If that were to happen, it would be miserable. So we are sitting in a warm house, in front of a fire, dinner on a stove, enjoying a glass of wine. Basketball games and movies on TV. A great way to weather the storm. Fingers crossed that we make it through! 

Photo of me shoveling around our Highlander. Our dog, Peter, is overwhelmed. 

Lakeland - Part 2

Looking down the lake to Plaice Fell and south to Kirkstone Pass

.....and again..

More flooded properties and ruined businesses in Glenridding

Glenridding Beck was responsible for all the damage, now back on its natural course.

The Best Western Glenridding Hotel also closed. 

On rather higher ground - at the Kirkstone Pass summit

Enjoying a home made ski tow....

....and sledging at the summit

The Green in Grasmere definitely 'not closed for business' 
as the queue at Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread shop showed.

Where's my scarf, hat and red nose gone?

As far as you can go on the A591 north of Grasmere. 
Not likely to reopen before May 2016.

Friday 22 January 2016

Lakeland...after the floods and snow! Part 1

Dalemain House near Penrith

The footbridge over the River Eamont on the Dalemain estate (for use with the permission of the estate).


The bridge that is no more! 
It used to carry the main road over the River Eamont in the village of Pooley Bridge 

Another view of the 'bridge'



Just one of the many flooded homes in the area

The view down the lake from the Ullswater steamer pier 
at Pooley Bridge 


Wednesday 20 January 2016

Burnley

A start of a walk from the (football) heart of Burnley

Heading to Towneley Park and Hall


The new Unity College campus on the edge of Towneley Park

Daffodils in January!

Approaching Towneley Hall




Snow-covered Pendle Hill



Descending back  into Burnley

Another view of Pendle Hill

The 'straight mile' carries the Leeds Liverpool canal through the centre of Burnley

The River Brun in Thompson Park

The lake in Thompson Park has been drained for it winter maintenance.