Lake District & Friday Smile

We were busy enjoying our time in the Lake District, last week,  and we didn't have internet connection so I couldn't post my Friday smiles on Annie's Blog, a stitch in time. 

We had lots of smiles during the week so I'm adding a few to join in with Annie's weekly fun.

We were told it was free connection in the lodge where we stayed but it was useless. As a result I almost didn't get in touch with my lovely blogging buddy Chris (Pear Shaped Crafter) and her DH, who have a caravan nearby. We arranged a day out but planned to phone to make arrangements.

DH and I eventually decided to set out for our day out and half way there Chris managed to connect with my  phone so we all met up at Farfield Mill in Sedbergh where we had a great day together. Lots of crafty things to see and lots of chat. It's a super place for a good crafty day out.

 The previous day, DH and I had visited the Motor Museum, Ulverston, and I smiled when I saw this clock over the entrance... .wish I had one at home as I could often do with turning the clock back!

 I'm adding a few pics of MG cars especially for Dolores's Alan who is an MG enthusiast and has a vintage MG. We've just GOT to take him to the museum one day, he'll love it.

 Alan also has a Wurlitzer Juke box in his hall ... much more spectacular than this one.

 My DH, Dave, couldn't choose from this menu and loved the prices. That clock certainly works! Please may I have sausage, egg and chips, a mug of tea and a small cake?..... 

that will be 2 shillings.... which, in todays money, converts to 10p!!!

 Yet another classic MG

 We stayed in this lodge which is so spacious and comfy inside and faces the lake

Each day we were greeted by the ducks and swans who were obviously used to being fed by the visited. I loved the white one but the others seemed to shove it out of the way so I made sure it had it's share of the food. I bought special wild bird food instead of giving them crusts.

 This swan was so persistent and friendly and kept peeping through our balcony.

Weeping Windows, Poppies in Liverpool

On this beautiful sunny warm November day we went into the city centre to see the new art installation outside our magnificent St George's Hall. Over 5000 of the (almost a million) poppies which were displayed at the Tower of London have been retained to create smaller tributes in cities around Great Britain over the next year. 

I did not expect them to make much of an impact, being far smaller number, but when I saw how they were displayed it was quite moving and yet it in was easy to imagine how it was in London.

The sandbags provided a barrier to public access and were perfectly in keeping with the theme of the event and far better than a fence.

 This will be on public display throughout the Winter and I almost hope it snows sometime as it will look amazing in contrast. I'll be there armed with my camera.

Poppies: Wave and Weeping Window

© Richard Lea-Hair and Historic Royal Palaces

By Paul Cummins, artist, and Tom Piper, designer 

Weeping Window is a cascade comprising several thousand handmade ceramic poppies seen pouring from a high window to the ground below; Wave is a sweeping arch of bright red poppy heads suspended on towering stalks. These two sculptures, by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper, marking the centenary of the outbreak of war, are now brought to audiences at venues across the country as part of the 14-18 NOW programme.

14-18 NOW is presenting the iconic poppy sculptures Wave and Weeping Window at selected locations around the UK until 2018.

The breathtaking sculptures were initially conceived as the key dramatic sculptural elements in the installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London in the autumn of 2014.

This winter the iconic Weeping Window will be on display outside St George’s Hall, Liverpool.

 The poppies can be seen in the background on the steps at the base of the columns and in front is 

the senotaph with all the wreaths from the weekend's memorial service.