The Elements of Eloquence ****

Decorating - Blue Reflection

6 Nations - Wales v Italy

Christmas has been and gone but Siân's present finally arrived in the shape of tickets to see Wales in Cardiff. 

As reported on the 6 Nations website: "Tries from Alex Cuthbert and Scott Williams saw Wales begin their pursuit of a record breaking third RBS 6 Nations title in a row with a hard fought 23-15 win over Italy at the Millennium Stadium"

(Unfortunately Wales could not maintain their performances away from home and Ireland were ultimately victorious in 2014.) 

Our weekend away included another stay at the Welsh Gatehouse near Chepstow. The facilities were wonderful, as before, although the loft was possibly too hot to ensure a restful night.

On the way home we stopped briefly at Evesham. Here, as throughout much of the West Country, the effects of flooding were apparent. Fortunately we, nor anyone close to us, has been affected and by March the situation was much improved. 

Calverley 5

On Friday we left Calverley and visited nearby Saltaire. The model town was founded in 1851 by Titus Salt who wished to provide a clean and efficient base for the community employed in his woollen mill. Our tour guide gave a superb description of the town and its people under the domain of Titus Salt. Whilst they were well cared and catered for, they did have to pay for those privileges, however it was the patented manufacture of Alpaca cloth that secured Salt's fortune. However, even his extraordinary wealth could not ensure the future of the town indefinitely. After he died the mill ran for several decades before being abandoned in the late 20th century. A local entrepeneur, Jonathan Silver, then bought the site and working with artist David Hockney created a gallery space like few others. The town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Calverley 4

On Day Four we headed West and visited the Media Museum in Bradford. This museum, also free, has 5 floors of fixed and changing exhibition space devoted to all forms of media from the last ten decades. Hands on displays allow visitors to practise reading the news, film in front of a blue-screen and try mixing the results. Also the BFI archives can now be plundered; book a free booth and sample delights such as Mr Ben, Think of a Number, Hancock's half hour and many more!
This excursion left us very little time at the end of the day, thus half an hour was really not enough time to do justice to the Bradford Industrial Museum (also free) which can be found north of the city.

Calverley 3

On Wednesday we parked near Roundhay Park in north Leeds and visited Tropical World. This unremarkable series of buildings actually has quite a nice variety of animals including butterflies, reptiles, birds, fish, bats and meerkats. They could do with spending a few extra pounds to tidy up some of the vivariums but this was still a pleasant distraction for at least a couple of hours. In the afternoon we headed to Harewood House which has very nicely restored state rooms and grounds designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. In the evening we met my parents who joined us at Calverley to stay for the remaining two days and nights. 

Calverley 2

On Day Two we headed back into Leeds via Kirkstall Abbey. The nearby museum had an interesting Victorian themed set with shops and the like. The abbey itself was obviously none the better after Henry's Act of Supremacy. The weather too meant we didn't stay too long but headed into Leeds where we found the Royal Armouries. This is an excellent free museum with large exhibition spaces devoted to armour from all parts of the world. The Hall of Steel, armour-plated elephant and an exhibition of weapons from The Hobbit film were all highlights.

Calverley 1

We headed North via Bolsover Castle (Eng. Her.) and arrived at Calverley Old Hall (Landmark Trust) which was to be our base for the week. The mediaeval hall was acquired by The Trust in its entirety such that they were able to restore the main hall and provide accommodation for five. The adjoined old chapel and Solar are still unrestored awaiting future decisions about how they can be included in the property let.
In the evening we went into Leeds for the obligatory Pizza Express followed by a film, 'Rush', at the local Everyman. This is an treat that is highly recommended. It's a cinema experience like few others; double seat sofas, leg room aplenty, it caters for wine drinkers and pizza eaters with nairy an obnoxious teenager in sight. Truly a Picture Palace for grown ups!

Trojan Rabbit

Saturday Night is Games Night

Elysium

Lone Ranger

Fire and Rain

Stanford Hall Fireworks Champions 2013 was this year contested by Flashpoint Fireworks, F1 Pyrotechnics, Spitfire Pyrotechnics and hosted as usual by MLE. The winners by public SMS vote were F1 Pyro who managed to balance their musical backing and creative display better than the other teams. 

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On Sunday we braved the rain showers and visited Baddesley Clinton. Despite the weather it was very busy but no less enjoyable than usual. The Trust seems to be working hard at making all its sites less formal and the scarecrow vegetable garden was a nice addition to the property. 

The World's End

Pacific Rim

Monsters University

Despicable Me 2

27th Hollowell Steam

Matt and Lucy came to visit this weekend and we all enjoyed an absolutely glorious Saturday at the Hollowell Steam Event. The usual attractions of engines and animals, plus a fly past by the Memorial Flight Dakota all made it a great day out. After helping John bump start his BSA we came home to play games in the evening at Simon's and then completed the weekend with a trip to IKEA and appreciation for a certain Mr Murray who played a cracking game of tennis!

Twycross Zoo

Twycross Zoo is renowned as a specialist primate zoo with around 900 animals of more than 160 species to see. You can walk with  ring-tailed lemurs in their enclosure; enjoy feeding time with the elephants, see giant tortoises sunbathing and watch penguins take their daily walk.

Unstoppable Momentum

Went to see Joe on the latest leg of his Unstoppable Momentum tour. Guillaume and I had some great seats at Wolverhampton Civic Hall and the 2 hour set was fantastic. Simple visuals complemented many of the new and old tracks. Highlights inevitably included Satch Boogie and flying in a blue dream.