Sunshine from Down Under

This afternoon I was pottering.   That's a sort of general purpose word meaning busy doing nothing.   The nothing I was doing was recharging the battery of a car that hadn't turned a wheel since April so its battery was flat.   I am not blessed with eyes in my backside but I became aware of a presence behind me in The sidings, on the far side of our locked double gates.

"Is this your place?   Are you the min (sic) who was on George Clarke's progrimme?"

"Are you from the antipodes?" I enquired.

"Yis, New Zealand - and you are why I am here - to see this plice.   I've seen it on the tilivision and I love George Clarke".   (please forgive my rather generalised attempt at colonial pronunciation which on re-reading sounds rather too South Ifrican)

This was another of umpteen people who have come to Settle specially to see the tower and to travel on the railway.   She was Carol Bryant and she was doing a month long European tour, solo.

Pat came on the scene and was delighted to show Carol around - including the rooftop view.   I resumed my pottering.

A delightful interlude in my day.   And to answer the question that I know must have been troubling you.   It started.

Twitter Stardom?

This picture appeared on Twitter today, the Tweetee asking which was me - the figure on the left or the one on the right.    You will appreciate of course that the one on the right is the President Of The Unites States - Potus.

Note to self -  be careful what you do when in view of Settle Station footbridge.

Grass on the Roof

I know I promised not to mention parasols again.   Not much sol anyway recently but undeterred I have extended the area of the sun / newspaper reading / trainspotting deck at the south end of the tank by using some old wooden crates and pallets.

It was topped off with treated boards but really did not look too attractive.   Then inspiration struck.   Grass.   Not real grass but that carpet like artificial stuff.   Job done and for now at least it looks OK.   The wood surroundiung the deck will be painted black eventually:

Malham Show Time

Well, I didn't go to Malham Show this year, not being quite up to it.   But nearly.   I am driving again but have not ventured out yet in the Model T as it is heavy to drive.   We take power steering for granted nowadays.  That said, my wrist is now improving dramatically by the day.   I was able to lever myself out of bed this morning with both hands.   That, for me, is a milestone.

I missed being at Malham Show though.   Here is a glimpse of this years:

https://www.facebook.com/stuart.gledhill.5/videos/2173432639588144/

Nothing pretentious but says a lot about country life in Yorkshire.    Locals and visitors enjoying themselves in a stunningly beautiful location in the sunshine.   Some of our American followers will appreciate it.   Happy memories of Malham.

A Summer Storm

I have mentioned before that the room on the roof is at its cosiest when the weather outside is bad.   Most times it is not particularly good for photography.   Teatime today was different as the pictures below, taken over 1/2 an hour or so hopefully show.   No prizes for photography- they were taken mostly through rain streaked windows - but they show the darkening skies as the storm approaches from the north west, does its bit, then presents us with a rainbow for an encore.

A glass of wine, a nice dry perch and above all, being here to enjoy it all.

Preston Major Trauma Centre

Headlines on today's national BBC news was the success of the 27 NHS Major Trauma Centres established around the country not at all long ago.   They are saying that 1,500 people are alive as a direct result of these places.   People who would have died in 'ordinary' A&E units, good though they are.

Until today I had not really thought of myself as having had 'major trauma' with my broken neck.   I was wrong.   A fracture of the C2 vertebra is in most cases fatal.   Survivors are most likely to be paralysed from the neck down.   A minority survive with few disabilities to resume normal life.  I am in that final category, praise be to God and in huge measure to the treatment and attention that I (unknowingly at the time) recieved at Preston, firstly at the major trauma centre, then in the neurosurgery unit.

This is from www.spinalcord.com - an American website:

 Due to the high level and placing of these vertebrae at the top of the neck, damage to C1 and C2 is most often fatal or leaves the individual fully paralyzed.

Today's news coverage has brought home to me just how lucky I am to have ended up at a major trauma centre.   Next nearest would have been Leeds which was deemed on the night to be too far away.

By chance, my neck x-rays and CT scans arrived last week by post on a DVD following my Freedom of Information request.   The data files are enormous and so far we have only glanced at them.   Many of the neck and wrist x-rays were taken during my marathon dual-purpose operation back in April.   They show just how much metalwork was inserted with such skill.   Four steel rods in my left wrist are now removed but the titanium in my neck is there for good.  Radiographer Pat will be able to examine the images at leisure and in detail but she has already reported that the injuries were both severe and the neck operation was spectacularly intricate.   When I have mastered the techniques of copying the relevant images (out of a very large number) I shall post them here.  Meantime, here is a short video, made at the Preston Major Trauma Centre, explaining their multi-disciplinary approach.

Preston Major Trauma Centre (11 mins)

Until seeing it, my 'memory' of the unit was of a church hall sort of room with high rafters and not much else.   My brain and recall, drugged up and on the edge of extinction at the time, had been playing tricks.  I knew that would be the case because, for instance, I 'remember' standing watching my own scalp being stitched - clearly impossible on at least two counts!

From my written notes I now know I was CT scanned on one occasion of which I have no memory whatever.   I have only vague recollections of the family gathered around my bed afterwards, ominous on reflection.

As I recover badly distorted memories and nightmares are being explained by meticulously recorded facts and images.   On balance it helps.

I Am Tweet of The Day

Somebody posted this remarkable picture on Twitter overnight:

It shows a jolly outing of bus enthusiasts, considerately using a byroad for their impressive convoy.

In what I thought was the obvious response I replied to the Tweeted picture with the comment'

"You wait all day and then ..........  "

This has been declared 'Tweet of the Day' by Nigel Harris, ediitor of RAIL magazine, now endorsed with a 'like' from Network Rail Chairman Sir Peter Hendy.

Just saying.

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   Sir Peter Hendy and 10 others liked your reply
   

   
   

   25m25 minutes ago

   
   
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   Nigel Harris Retweeted Mark Rand

   Tweet of the day!

   Nigel Harris added,

   
   

   Replying to @RAIL

Flying Scotsman and a Wonderful Garden

Regular followers may be bored stiff with postings about trains but I simply cannot resist reporting  that Flying Scotsman has flown through Settle twice today hauling The Waverley, York - Carlisle-York.   When (inevitably) somebody posts a picture on FaceTwitterGram I shall re-post it below.

(5 minutes later)  No sooner said . . .

and a bit later this morning here she is again at Selside, battling the rather changeable elements and the gradient:   sound on!

Flying Scotsman northbound at Selside

Each puff of black smoke is the fireman adding another shovelful of coal.

And homeward bound this evening at horton n Ribblesdale, just north of Settle:

picture Mike Farrington

Meantime, for normal (non-train) people I can report some spectacular plants in the big oak tubs either side of our front steps, responding to recent rain   Thanks to our darling daughter Lorna for these:

These cauliflower - like heads are sprouting from succulents below.   What are they?

I do hope they're not illegal.

The Hills are Greening up Again

Not long ago the hills round here were dead of grass foliage.   Today, following some rainy days nature is reclaiming her land and things are greening up again.   The lighting conditions are not ideal but this picture shows a most welcome improvement for the farmers.   I think that most got a mowing of hay early on in the drought and hopefully they may get another by autumn.   Five weeks separate the two pictures.

Lad, a Yorkshire Story

Lad is a low budget film made right here in and around Settle several years ago.   It was highly acclaimed at the time but never made it big time, which is a shame.   It is the story of a boy growing up in this part of the Dales, losing his father, going off the rails, getting 'in bother', running away (via Settle station of course) and sorting himself out with a lot of help.   Funny, sad and thought provoking.   And lots of familiar scenery too.

Thanks maybe to the miracles of the internet it is achieving the recognition it deserves.   Some in the know have gone so far as to rate it among the 100 best films of all time.

Well, you can make up your own mind because here it is, all of it, in HD:

Lad, a Yorkshire Story

Sound on, your best full screen and sit back and enjoy 1hr 27 minutes of every emotion under the sun.

If you REALLY do not have the time here is a trailer:

Lad - trailer 54 secs

For our American followers it is on YouTube in the USA.    Not sure about Russia but it's the sort of film with something for everyone.   Go on - give it a goski.

And Inside?

OK, The pictures of the outside may have prompted the obvious question from Blog viewers - what's inside?   You are both entitled to know so here you are:

Bear in mind that it connects to the existing main tower and annex so there is for instance a second WC and the main house kitchen alongside the new extension.   There is also level access to the all-floors lift.

The outside stairs are deliberately that way as they save floor space, avoid a ground floor entrance and heat transfer chimney being created and make for a fire escape.   The main access to and from the extension is via the existing tower and annex.   The extension is not a separate dwelling but is part of the whole.   It is literally an 'apartment' if you like.   We have designated space for a one floor lift connecting the extension to the ground outside should it ever be needed.

Questions or suggestions welcome.

We're Seeking to Extend

Today, we have submitted a planning application to extend our accommodation.   What? I hear you cry.   Haven't you got enough space already?   Well, to adapt a well loved railway quote, "it's the wrong sort of space".

Magnificent though the tower and its existing annex are, there is only one permanent bedroom, some of it is unheated and much of it is uninsulated.

Family requirements plus my near-death experience in April forced a re-think.   We have plenty of space to expand into the area at the rear of the tower, alongside the annex, but the ground slopes steeply.   With architect Stuart Green we have been thinking hard about this and after months of thinking, drawing and meditating we have devised what we think is a super scheme to create what amounts to a bungalow on stilts at first floor level.

Here are the outside elevations:


From the north (Station Road) the extension is almost invisible because of the knoll.   From inside though, the sliding doors open onto a balcony which looks over the knoll towards Pen-y-Ghent on the horizon:

At the south end the view of the extension is mainly obscured by the new apartment block on the Sidings:

This is the rear elevation, facing east.   It has been designed to sit largely below the sight line of the dry stone garden wall:

And this is the 'front' of the extension, the bulk of which is behind the tower.   This part, which projects beyond the front (south) of the tower is largely hidden from public view by the tower itself and by the navvy hut.   Sightseers and photograpahers on the station approach drive and on the station itself will not see it but from inside the extension there will be views towards Lancashire and the Forest of Bowland to be appreciated from a balcony.

The drawings may give the impression of something that might somehow eclipse the tower.   The whole thing is of identical design to the existing (and much praised) rear annex.   The cladding is a muted grey, as are the window frames.   It is very carefully and deliberately hidden from public view and is subservient in appearance to the tower.

Below the extension is what we have called the undercroft - simply a sloping space from which will spring steel columns to support the extension.

When the planning application has been validated and put online I shall publish the link for the benefit of those among you who need to get a life.

Another Recovery Milestone

I can drive again.

Prompted by the Honda Jazz's need for an MOT test plus my need for some wood from Timberworks I charged up the old (2003) girl then DROVE there.

Two potential problems were the strength in my left wrist for handbrake and gear changing and the rotation of my head for seeing to each side.   OK on both counts.   Picture shows a 2003 Honda Jazz, though not mine!   Just for visual impact.

Whistle and Whoosh

One of FOUR steam trains that charged through Settle station yesterday to mark the 50th anniversary of the 'end' of steam on Britain's railways!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sound on, full screen and be sure not to blink.   Video Mike Hogg, from the top of your favourite water tower.

Margot Gets a Sweatshirt

Step granddaughter American Margot left today with James and Ben, bound for Gerrards Cross.   Margot then flies back to the USA tomorrow.   Yesterday she fell in love - with the S&C railway line en route to Carlisle and back.   So much so that she has an S&C sweatshirt now and looks quite pleased about it:

Now, I did declare this to be a parasol free zone but I couldn't resist this picture of the re-purposed tank:

From underneath that red umbrella must be the best views anywhere around here.

And that Manor paint on the tank panels looks as fresh now as when it was applied seven years ago.

Cup-a-Soup and Coffee

Today the family went by train to Carlisle and for the first time since April I was allowed / trusted to be home alone.   Mid morning I decided to treat (?) myself to a cream of mushroom Cup-a-Soup, with croutons.

There by the kettle was a mug and spoon, quite obviously and thoughtfully put there by my wife / carer.

In went the Cup-a-Soup powder as the kettle came to the boil.   Then, in with the water and a jolly good stir.   Undetected by me, the mug had been primed for coffee, complete with sweetener.

Friends, please take my word for it but coffee and Cup-a-Soup make unhappy mug-fellows.  

Just in case you were wondering.

Then the Grandchildren

Crandchildren James and Ben and step-granddaughter Margot are here for three days of undiluted joy and delight.   Here is Pat with Ben and Margot:

 Note the essential equipment in Ben's hands.    Oh, and in Margot's too.

Next morning and this is Ben's bed.   So reassuring to see that the print media are not yet quite dead.

The Scots Invade

Two mightily impressive trains through Settle this afternoon.

First, Flying Scotsman en route from Carlisle to York:

click to enlarge and read photographer Paul Jackson's captions

Then just an hour later the diesel hauled luxury train The Royal Scotsman going from Edinburgh to London.

Not much haappens in Settle but the trains sure make up for that some days.

Settle is One of the Best Places to Live in the UK

I hope that this story from The Sunday Times dies a quick death otherwise everybody will want to live here!   Always cautious about these 'Best Place' etc lists but cannot disagree in this case.   It must be true though because the Craven Herald, the local newspaper reports:

The Sunday Times has picked out Settle in its top ten, along with Alresford, in Hampshire, Bledlow, Buckinghamshire, Bollington, Cheshire, Bungay, Suffolk, Dulverton, Somerset, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, Nethy Bridge, Highlands, Oakham, Rutland, and Petworth, West Sussex.

I am finding confirmation of the Best Place status as I continue my recovery and my travels take me into the town of foot.   I am constantly bumping in to people asking how I am and wishing me well.   Bad, and good, news travels fast in Settle.

I achieved a recovery milestone yesterday.   I cleaned the well-overdue-for-it filters of the rainwater harvesting system.   It had been overdue for it back in April when I had my fall.   The fine filter is indoors and at worktop level so is easy but the coarse filter is down a ground level manhole outdoors, necessitating bending forwards and downwards.   The neck is under inevitable strain and would have hurt until now.   Yesterday I managed it and I am feeling modestly proud about it.

Clouds, Glorious Clouds

Late afternoons and early evenings rarely disappoint when it comes to the skyscape from the top of the water tower over towards the west.

Here is one from a couple of days ago showing a very definite weather front threatening us from Lancashire.   They used to say 'never point a camera at the sun' didn't they?   They never mentioned iPhones though.