Wycoller Country Park

A sharp frost covered the ground this morning but that didn't stop us from enjoying a day in the countryside.  Actually, for me, it only enhanced the pleasure.  I love to get all wrapped up and get out in the fresh air when it's cold.

Victoria, Gary and the boys joined William and I today for an outing to the village of Wycoller and its surrounding Country Park.  Wycoller is said to be one of the prettiest villages in Lancashire and is only a 45 minutes or so drive away from our doorstep.

None of us had ever been to Wycoller before so we were all in for a treat.  Quaint and pretty to say the least and mainly traffic free too.

Wycoller is in Bronte country, follow this link for info on that connection.

Above you can see the remains of 16th century Wycoller Hall on the left.  A visitor information centre is in the barn on the right of the photo. 

The boys loved it.  There was plenty of room for them to run around and ride their bikes.  I imagine it's a different story on a summer's day when the place will be heaving with visitors.  It was fairly busy today in the depths of winter.

Seven bridges cross Wycoller Beck and I think it's the one above that is reported to be around 1,000 years old!  That's George above, I guarantee he was wishing he'd got his wellies on so he could go paddling.

Lots of old houses, quite a few of them for sale.  Pretty as this village is, I don't think I'd like to live right in the middle of it, it must be like living in a goldfish bowl!

Picnic area complete with duck pond. 

Another bridge - maybe it's this one that's 1,000 years old?

Did I mention it was cold!

Beautiful landscape.

An abundance of dry stone walls.  Little boys just have to climb don't they?

Rich farming country I think.  Tons of sheep in the fields.

It was a lovely day and we had a great time.  George posing for me!

Here I am in the ruins of Wycoller Hall with George.  He particularly seemed to be having a good time today and wants us to take him back again.  I think that can be arranged, no problem!

Kathleen.

Puppy Guide Dog

Whilst taking our little dog, Muffin, for a walk round the neighbourhood the other day I met this lady and her little dog, a beautiful Labrador puppy.

We stopped to chat, how you do, dog owner to dog owner. 

This 16 weeks old Lab is a Guide Dog Puppy in Training.  I discovered through our little chat, perhaps everybody else knows this but I didn't,  that the Puppy Walkers keep the puppies for around 12 months. Their task is to socialize them and give them basic training.  The puppies are taken everywhere with the walkers, on buses, trains, in crowds, mixing with other animals etc.  At the end of the 12 months the puppies then go on for actual Guide Dog Training. 

He looks angelic doesn't he? The walker was telling me though that he was really lively and quite a handful to look after.  I'm sure she'll sort him out.  After 7, or was it 8 puppies, I think she knows what she's doing!

Kathleen.

Worsthorne and Hurstwood.

The plan today was to take a hike. 

In particular, this little hike.

Which I came across in this recently purchased little book.

So, William and I got our act together and even though it was raining, drove the 30 minutes or so to Worsthorne.   Ever the optimist, I was sure the rain would stop before we got there and that we would, as promised in the guide book, be able to drink in the "sweeping views of hauntingly beautiful countryside".

I was wrong, it didn't stop.  We got to the start of the hike and looked out across the field and the "gentle ascents" that would lead us up to Hurstwood Reservoir.  The hilltops were shrouded in very low lying mists.  It didn't look like we were going to see much of that "hauntingly beautiful countryside" today.   

So we beat a slow retreat and decided instead to explore the village of Worsthorne.  (He loves that hat.  Me, not so much).

I have to say Worsthorne is a pretty village, unfortunately today it was a pretty smelly one.  One of those "healthy" country smells was in the air.

I think the farmer and his bovine friends had been doing a bit of team work.

Lots of quaint cottages.

 

This charmingly named Foxglove Cottage is for sale.  I looked it up when we got home.  If you fancy a nosy here's the link to the estate agent selling it.  Although pretty inside at £169,950 it's not cheap!

I love the rolling green hills and dales and dry stone walls of our beautiful English countryside.  I just wish the rain would stop for a while so that we could enjoy it!

Kathleen.

Bramsche

William, unusually for him, had the afternoon off work today.

So we went out for lunch.  Not far, just to Bramsche.  No, not the town in Germany but the new cafe bar in Todmorden that I've taken a liking to.

I particularly like to be in a cosy cafe reading the paper when the weather outside is wet and miserable - just like it was today.  I snapped this photo as a group of ramblers all togged up in waterproof clothes passed by on the other side of the road.  It gives you an idea of just how wet it was - and still is!

Both images taken with the Instagram App on my iPhone.  I don't know how I ever managed without Instagram.  I think I'm addicted to it!

Kathleen.

 

Kids today...

... have all manner of super duper high tech, computerised games and gadgets to play with.  My grandsons are no exception.  Eight year old George for instance got an iPod Touch for Christmas.  He and his brother, and dad too for that matter, play on the PlayStation, play games on the iPad etc., etc.  They're very lucky little boys at their house.

But ... when my grandsons come to my house we (I say we because I'm usually in the thick of it!) play different kinds of games.  Very often we play games with lots of pretend in them but often too, it'll be a "proper" game such as Hide and Seek, Hide the Thimble, Draughts or a game of cards.

George stayed over with us the night before last and we played cards and then Ludo.  Funny isn't it?  All the technology that's around but you still can't beat a good old board game like Ludo!

I wonder what games George will be playing with his grandchildren?

Kathleen.

The Library

Yesterday I took my books back to the library and chose a few to bring home with me again. 

When did libraries get so friendly?  Whilst there yesterday I had a mince pie, a free one, courtesy of the library.  I could've had a hot drink too had I wanted one. 

As children my cousin Sylvia and I spent many, many happy hours in our local library but in those days we had to be quiet.  Not anymore, children play, chatter and do crafts, completely unhindered by anybody telling them to sshhhh!

I haven't been a member of the library for a long time and things have changed, for the better I might add.  It's not that I ever stopped reading but that I've been buying my books mainly from charity shops.  However, recently I've re-joined the library and am loving it.  Sadly though, libraries are under threat in these times of economic crisis and are closing down at a steady pace throughout the country to save money.  Such a shame!

Kathleen.

Towneley Park

On Wednesday Caroline, Trev and Charlie along with William and I took a ride over to Towneley Park. 

I wanted to take a look at all the Christmas stuff that I knew would be on sale in the park's garden centre.. 

I really don't need another thing in the line of Christmas decorations but when things are half price it's hard to resist and, big spender that I am, I bought these two lovely little baubles for the tree.

Charlie had great fun in the play area.   He loves these diggers.

The last time we were here in the summer Charlie could hardly reach those controls.

He's grown a lot it would seem and is doing better with them now.  A helping hand from his daddy is always welcome though.

After time in the play area for Charlie we strolled up towards the very imposing Towneley Hall.  Actually it was a bit cold for strolling and the rain had started to come down so hurried, would be a more accurate term to use.

What we needed was shelter from the cold and windy, rainy weather.  Our destination therefore was the converted stable block, above, which is now the cafe.  We enjoyed a hot drink sitting by the window with this lovely view to admire before we once again braved the elements, spent a little more time in the play area and headed back home. 

“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”
― Anthony J. D'Angelo

Who cares about the weather when you're with good company!

Kathleen.