Carlisle

Just back from Carlisle.

Thanks to the generosity of my sister and brother-in-law we went by Virgin Trains First Class.

Here's the special "Pendolino" tilting train ale

On arrival at the Ibis hotel we discovered Schindler's Lift as opposed to Schindler's List

Very attractive post boxes - but perhaps I should have removed the sign before taking the photo?

Flamstead Scarecrow Festival 2015 Part 2

Two added attractions!

St Leonard's Church

Flamstead Scarecrow Festival 2015

The winner!

Some of the many others...

Royal Academy - Summer Exhibition 3

You want a very plain black triangle? - £60,000 please!

This was an embroidery

This was 3D

This was also a very clever 3D creation

Royal Academy - Summer Exhibition 2

Several exhibits involved lighting and 'light boxes'

Light box

Also a light box (You can see the wire!)

Royal Academy - Summer Exhibition

Not exactly "stuffy" this year - this is the entrance!

The first gallery

The second gallery.

Amazingly the taking of photographs was encouraged this year.

Warwickshire Ring - Lowsonford

We walked from the Grand Union Canal to the South Oxford Canal to this cottage where we had stayed previously.

The reason for our trek was to see the Anthony Gormley statue which had been installed there to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Landmark Trust.

What an absolutely stupid place to put it - a trip hazard for boaters using the lock and a nightmare for rope handlers - there you go...

Warwickshire Ring - Hatton Flight

This is the Hatton Flight of 21 locks which we completed in a morning

Didn't expect to be sharing a lock with her!

Hatton top lock

Where to next?

Warwick - The Mill Garden

From Warwick town centre we went down this pretty street...

To The Mill Garden which lies at the foot of Warwick Castle

What a setting?

 

 

Since 1974 they have raised over £143,000 for charity by opening their garden to the public.

If you are in Warwick, please go and visit

Warwick - Hill Close Gardens

We moored in Warwick and had a wander...

Hill Close Gardens are rare survivals of Victorian gardens once used by townsfolk who lived above their business and wanted to escape from the crowded town centre. Owners and tenants came here after work or on Sundays to tend their flowers, fruit and vegetables or to relax.

Inside one of the little sheds