Sunday 31 August 2014

LIVERPOOL LIBRARY - MORE THAN JUST WORDS. A MENTION FOR JOE TOO.

Hi folks

I usually blog about the Wirral but as a Liverpool lass by birth, I do love the place and even more now it has been skilfully revitalised. So today, I hope to encourage all of you to visit the newly refurbished Liverpool Library, it is wonderful!  They have combined the old and the new beautifully and it is very welcoming with activities, facilities and information for all ages.  Parts of it are noisier than libraries once were too, but in a good way! They had some interesting art installations when I was in a few weeks ago. 

In case you don't actually know where the library is (as if!) then Lime Street is the nearest station.  Look out at St George's Hall (too big to miss!) and then go to the right (where the Walker Art Gallery is too) of it, walk across those lovely old cobbles and hey presto, you are there.  This is the entrance, fab eh?


This first collage is a general one.  It will enlarge if you want to see more details. There is a guy lying on the floor, reading. Imagine doing that years ago - not! The old chap with the hat reminds me of our dad.  He loved the place and even wrote a poem about it which I'll dig out sometime.


This second collage includes part of a fabulous exhibition, all paper of course, which was showing when I visited.  Zoom in and look at the middle, longer photo, my favourite. It is simply a large box fashioned (I think) as the place Shakespeare wrote his works and the black figure is the man himself. Those painstakingly made paper scrolls have the names of his plays on them. I love it! Note the size of the feather 'quill' too. I am jealous of all this creativity.......but in a nice way of course!


When you are done at the library, take yourself to the Walker Art Gallery just up the road or see if St George's Hall is open to visitors that day.  You will have a great time, especially if you then walk over to the Liverpool One for some delicious food and drink to finish the day.  Okay, maybe a spot of shopping too!

In conclusion then, can I just say..................Get yer arse down there now!

AND.......... my son Joe, completed a 37 mile ultra marathon in the Lakes (well, the mountains really) yesterday, raising lots of money for Zoe's Place in Liverpool.  Thanks to all those who sponsored him too.  He is currently recovering, slowly.  Can I just say how chuffed I am and so very proud of him and this achievement. I don't have a photo to download yet though but hopefully next time - next blog, not marathon that is! This photo of Joe with his lovely wife Jo, was taken after the Liverpool Marathon (only 26 miles!!!) this summer. Jo, a big hug to you too for all your support, motivation and keeping him well nourished! xxxxx




Sunday 24 August 2014

In Praise of Sheds and Workshops

There is something special about sheds, particularly the ones which double as workshops. To me, they are places of creativity, problem solving opportunities, peace and fun. We grew up surrounded by valves, resistors, soldering irons and all the paraphernalia our dad would need to use his incredibly inventive mind to make a living or just for fun. Unfortunately for our mum, this all took place at home, in a room that also housed a full train set! How patient she was.

Me, posing in front of a 'spaghetti junction' of wires and with my first screwdriver - not that I'm much good at DIY today.

To the untrained eye, these dens may look like chaotic, untidy places. Surely not, you say! But look again and you will see organised chaos from whence nothing shall be moved....in case it alters a very important, creative thought process........or gets lost.

At only 20 or so, my first husband built and fixed motorcycles so his workroom (in his mum and dad's home) housed a large array of equipment, including random pieces of old bikes, lathes and welding gear. With those days long gone, together with a pal, he has had a furniture restoration business for years now.  I find their workshop fascinating and exactly as I would expect it to be - chaotic, messy but very productive and 'arty' in it's own way, just like the first one was.


Last year, sadly both dad and uncle Rao died. In his working life, uncle had been an engineer with British Airways and he had a proper shed, back in the day. Latterly, it housed all his tools; old boxes of nuts, bolts, screws; his paint splattered overalls and rusty tins of dried up paint, bless.  He also had wooden stepladders in various sizes - as you do! Of course, I took a couple of sets and they are now painted and being used again. Clearing the house was difficult but thinking about clearing the shed felt worse somehow. Thankfully, the new owner was a DIY guy and wanted to keep many things, which was brilliant for us. 


As for me, well I've always had somewhere to play, think, work or hide too.  My workshops were full of all my arty farty work 'unfinished masterpieces' which must never be thrown out - just in case I did ever finish them. Even better are the things we keep because 'this will come in handy one day' but I 'm not  sure when that will be....ah, happy days.  

Right, I'm off to buy a shed - or some new shelves at least!

Just for info, the blog is being updated soon and I am probably going to add a shop and a photo gallery. I'm excited!