Monday, January 03, 2011

New Year 2011

click on any photo for larger image
With resolve to give my days more structure, Jack The Dog and I went for a vigorous walk this morning. Climbing the steep steps of Ladies Walk, we headed for The Hoad, a big hill overlooking Ulverston. It's a grand walk for both of us as long as the sheep on this common land are not nearby. First we said hello to two shaggy ponies and promised to bring presents next time. Then on to the walled path.



The holly tree along here was adorned with ornaments and plastic-coated messages.










On the first: holiday wishes to all dog walkers. The 2nd and 3rd gave us the tale of a lost little dog being found by a border collie.













What a treat to find this tree on a seemingly barren landscape. I'm still smiling as I think about it.



After lunch, Hal did the same walk with us, so that I could document my blog subjects.










This time we found a memorial bench ("to Mum and Gran") decorated with flowers.


This is our approach to the Hoad and monument to Sir John Barrow, native son, and 2nd secretary of the Admiralty for 40 years in the 1st half of the 19th century. Following are views of the panoramic vista from atop the hill.

Photos below, going clockwise, are views: to the north with Coniston Old Man as the highest peak; to the east, the head of Morecambe Bay; (two views) looking south with the gentle slope of Birkrigg Common rising to the right of Morecambe Bay; and to the West leaving town for the hills and farms of Furness Peninsula.

north




east
west










south





We passed no one on our morning ramble. Today is a bank holiday, which means an official holiday, as opposed to a regular holiday, meaning vacation in American terms. Things are pretty quiet today, and have been all weekend. On New Year's Eve, there were a few maverick fireworks, including a floating lantern drifting away on the wind. Slate roofs and damp climate reduce the fear of fires. At quarter of 12, church bells rang. Hal, Jack and I headed downtown for a look-see. A crowd of 200+ were gathered at Market Cross, many in high fashion. This may have been the entire youth population of Ulverston. Constabulary was highly visible, but restrained. The three of us went into the King's Head for a pint, and Jack's first pub. Thia, the proprietress, graciously served Hal and me, while Meghan, the barmaid and dog lover, brought out a bowl of water for Jack. She's saving up for a trip round the Arctic Circle with her own dog. It's not a trip that I'm dying to make, but I enjoy her enthusiasm.

And with our own enthusiasm for a new year, we wish you good health and pursuit of happiness throughout this year.

2 comments:

  1. I'd like to come again for a visit. Not sure when. Hoping that you guys hear back on the possibility of extending, that would give me more time to save up etc. And maybe I could come sometime when snow & volcanoes won't mess everything up. By the way, I haven't heard anything about that volcano in a while... has it cleared up?

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  2. Welcome back, Rosie, I missed you. Happy New Year. I'm so glad you were finally reunited with your dog.

    Janet

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