Siding Lane Nature Reserve ~ Rainford

On the site of what was once Rainford Colliery is the Siding Lane Nature Reserve

A pleasant place to spend an hour walking through the woodlands

Steps through the woods

This is the site of the Pit Head Winding Gear

Hart's Tongue Fern grows abundantly

Lichen covered tree

Catkins at the start of Spring

St Thomas the Martyr Church, UpHolland...

There is so much history on my doorstep. This little gem is only a couple of miles from my home.

St Thomas the Martyr in UpHolland is a Church of England Parish church which dates back over 700 years.

The building was founded in  1307 as a college for a Dean and twelve priests by Sir Robert de Holland who was secretary to Thomas Plantagenet, Earl of Lancaster. In 1319, the college was converted into a priory by Walter de Langton, Bishop of Lichfield. The Priory, became known as Upholland Priory and remained as part of the  Benedictine order until the reformation, when in 1536 the priory was closed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. 

Parts of the original 12th century priory walls can seen be seen but are well hidden by an overgrowth of ivy which covers the West wall of the priory. 

A hidden doorway

A trace of window

A glimpse into the past

Window on a forgotten world

I wonder how many fascinating stories these old walls could share ......if only they could talk !

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Winter Poppy...

On this crisp winter afternoon we visited the CWG of a member of my husband's family.

John Hopkins served in the Loyal North Lancashire  Regiment. 

He died on the 24th January 1919 and is buried in a CWG in our local cemetery.

It seemed a fitting tribute to take our Tower of London poppy

to remember one of our own.

We will remember them.



All photographs ©Picksipics

Shapes and Shadows....

When my children were little and we visited historical sites I always told them to touch the stones and feel the history. There is nearly a thousand years of history to touch in the shapes and shadows of Bolton Abbey. 

This atmospheric Augustinian priory has been a place of worship since the 1100s and the nave of the Abbey is still part of the adjacent Parish church of St. Mary and St. Cuthbert. 

The shapes and shadows twist and turn and are achingly beautiful

Glorious windows and hidden doorways

 look out onto  a landscape that probably hasn't changed very much

over the last 1000 years

Long shadows play across hidden corners

There is peace and tranquilly to be found near these ancient stones and the echo of long forgotten footsteps still echo in the shapes and shadows of hidden corners.

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Bolton Abbey ~ Yorkshire

Bolton Abbey
Yorkshire

The majestic beauty of Bolton Abbey nestles comfortably in the arms of the Strid Valley

where the remains of the C12 Augustinian priory still exert their indomitable presence on the

hills and dales of lower Wharfedale. 

Sheep quietly go about their business seemingly oblivious to the beauty behind them

The Parish Church of St Mary and St Cuthbert

The nave of the Abbey Church has been in use since 1170 and survived the  

Dissolution of the Monasteries in the C16

Bolton Abbey Hall

Owned by The Cavendish Family

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A Summer Meadow..

The wild flower meadows at Fir Tree Farm in Billinge are in full flower.

Awash with colour and the summer scent of camomile 

Camomile, Field Poppy, Cornflower

Corn Marigold

Field Poppy with Camomile

A summer pathway

And at the end of the walk is a well deserved cup of tea

Liverpool....

Visiting Liverpool on a sunny day without a camera was a big mistake

so my Samsung phone came in handy !

Rigging on the Dock

The Port of Liverpool Building

The Port of Liverpool Building (formerly Mersey Docks and Harbour Board Offices, more commonly known as the Dock Office), is a Grade II listed building.

It is sited at the Pier Head along with the neighbouring Liver Building and Cunard Building is one of Liverpool's "Three Graces", which line the city's waterfront.  

 The Liver Birds
on the Liver Building

The Liver Bird is the symbol for the city of Liverpool.

The use of a bird to represent the city dates to the medieval era, but the idea that the "liver bird" is a mythical creature specific to Liverpool evolved in the 20th century. The bird is normally represented in the form of a cormorant holding a frond in its mouth.


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