28th December, 2013....Thinking on a higher level!!!!

Although my colleagues and myself have been working on Christmas since November 4th, it's over again for another year..... and certain happenings have got me thinking!!!! However, it was a beautiful day so we headed off to the Abbey for a walk and some of Abbey Mill's gorgeous Broccoli and Stilton soup... you've got to try it... I'm trying to nab Jacqui's recipe!!!

 

 

OOPS!!! Half eaten already!!!

 

 

There was a very interesting customised army van in the car park today. We hung around, talking to Mr. Phil, and waited to see if Chris Packham or even NICK BAKER got out, but they didn't!!

 

 

We did sit and have our lunch in a hail storm though, but the Jack Wolfskin family are always prepared!!Hoods up, no probs!!

 

Actually, that's a photo from Christmas Eve in How Tun Woods!!! It was incredibly windy but very atmospheric....we walked up there on Christmas Day too, with Nana, who is 73 TODAY!!

 

We really are the Jack Wolfskin family....and Frankie is wearing his favourite Christmas present, a cool hat from Rosie (with his name on, she said!!)!

 

 

Really lovely at the Abbey today though...if you haven't walked down here for a while because you think it is too 'Barrow', you should give it a try. Then you'll see how 'Barrow' it is (thank goodness!).

 

Any how, on the way home, we happened to be passing the helipad as an air ambulance was landing to drop off it's passenger. It is quite humbling to think that whilst some people spend their time in a hedonistic way over Christmas, some even actively causing trouble for others, there are heroic human beings like the air ambulance crews, working for the good of all.

 

 

 

Frankie watched in fascination, as he always has since he was 8 months old, and they even gave him a little salute as they flew off!!

 

 

And as I watched it fly off, I thought to myself.....2014 is going to be the year of the GOOD people!! (Especially the three lovely colleagues that invited me out this afternoon- I couldn't go, but it won't be forgotten!!). Be kind to each other!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22nd December, 2013...Dalton Christmas Tree Festival!!

A much nicer day today, although the wind was biting. It is howling outside my window as I'm writing this, and there is a definite hint of snow on it's leading edge!!

 

Very picturesque, but freezing, so we had a quick cup of tea in the Abbey Mill café to warm up.Jacqui, who runs it, told us she was closed now until Boxing day...so get yourself down here for soup and sandwiches after the festivities!!

 

We headed to St. Mary's Church in Dalton at 3pm to look at the Christmas Tree Festival....and it was beautiful, as always!

 

 

 

 

 

Saw Mike and Deb Last Resort too. I think having a coffee in The Last Resort in Barrow, is an absolute festive MUST!! Don't miss it tomorrow!!

 

Frank really proud of the Dowdales tree!! We tried to get the opportunity to make one from our school this Christmas, but we asked too late. We are definitely on the list for next year, so get your thinking caps on 'dream team'!!

 

 

 

This was the tree themed ' I had a little nut tree', as in the nursery rhyme. This years theme was nursery rhymes and pantomimes, and there were some fantastic designs. I loved the 'Oranges and Lemons' tree, covered in miniature, hand made oranges and lemons. Dalton Town Council had designed that one.

 

Ahhh.... how lovely!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21st December, 2013....no festive weather in sight!!

A damp and windy day, neither warm nor cold. The shortest day, and it didn't really get light at all.

 

Frank fancies himself as a bit of an Urban Warrior at the moment! It is certainly wet and muddy enough down here for that at the moment!

 

 

We found a fallen, dead tree down here today, blocking the path over the railway lines. It had no leaves, but did have years of ivy twining round it, and it reminded me of that bit at the end of Jane Eyre, where she says to Edward, “You are no ruin, sir—no lightning-struck tree: you are
green and vigorous. Plants will grow about your roots,
whether you ask them or not, because they take delight
in your bountiful shadow; and as they grow they will lean
towards you, and wind round you, because your strength
offers them so safe a prop.” Ahhh....my favourite book!

 

 

Quite a lot of storm and water damage around here at the moment. We walked up the back lanes behind the Abbey towards Dalton today, and were surprised to find Dalton Lagoon, complete with it's own Christmas Dinner supplies!

 

 

 

A goose bit my backside once...I've never got over my fear of them (but I don't eat them!!). They are annoying creatures geese...one does it, they all do it!! And not very pleasantly!! Recognise anyone??

 

It was almost as muddy as our refilled garden around the back lanes of Dalton!!

 

Fun and celebrations all over at school now...time to kick back and relax with friends and family. Something festive to finish with!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15th December, 2013...Greengate Juniors meets Furness Abbey!!

We have been so busy with all things Christmas at work and home, that we haven't managed to get down here for a walk for ages....but we did have December 15th set aside...!

 

Some of our vast school choir were available to sing at an event hosted by Furness Abbey. We transported children from the town centre and many families came to support, which was lovely. No long cashmere coats and 'The First Nowell' for us.....that's not the Greengate Brand at all!!

 

 

The skill of the Steve Hillman camera allowed these photos to seem sharp and light, even though it was dusk and singing by candle light for us!

 

 

Myself and my very long-standing comrade-in-arms accompanied on the guitars, and a more recent comrade lead the singing!!! As always, the kids stole the show!!

 

 

But so did others from the Greengate team!!!

 

 

And those fluorescing stars are an excellent idea....!

 

 

The Infirmary was alive and kicking....wonder what all those shadowy monks spirits were thinking...probably dancing in the aisles!!

 

Lots of support for Greengate Juniors too!!!

 

 

 

What a lovely way to end a busy festive week....the head teacher had a tear in her eye, though she is very hard to pick out in the crowd!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st December, 2013...Christmas comes early to Furness Abbey!

The Furness Abbey Fellowship held their annual Christmas Fair today... it was a damp and overcast day, but that didn't seem to have dampened spirits!

 

Frank's got a new Christmas jumper in honour of the occasion!

 

 

And the medieval way of life in December was re-enacted very authentically!

 

 

 

Can you spot Tom Abbey in this photo??

 

 

The ancient mingled nicely with the modern!

 

 

 

 

 

Let's hope lots of money was raised to complete the purchase of the 'Crozier Case' for the museum! Abbey House is looking very festive at the moment. We are at a party there is a few weeks time, so looking forward to that....a chance to chat to FRIENDS without having to keep one eye on KIDS!

 

 

 

Stunning skies over Barrow last night... I doubt there will be anything to see tonight though....it's been a day of flat, grey (skies that is)!

 

 

We had a stunning result from our own Christmas Fair on Friday.... over £800 raised... the Greengate Team can always pull it off!