Kendal - Making A Mountain Of Mint Cake

The above article is about both the town of Kendal in Cumbria in the 1960's and also mentions nearby Hallow Bank, Kentmere and the history of some of the houses round there.

454 Squadron RAAF 1st Anniversary Menu

I found this interesting little menu in a box of old photos the other day. It certainly looks like the 454 Squadron of the Royal Australian Airforce had their hands full will the kind of grub/tucker that seemed to be on offer on their rather frightening list of supposed foodie delights.

Definitely one to miss I think!

Vampires of Lakeland

When I was little,one of my Lake District cousins was a hippy and he used to drive a red decommissioned post office van with no doors on the back.

This same cousin also once chased a bull on his moped that had escaped from the local farmer's field. He had long hair and a moustache and looked very much like Jesus. This cousin also owned some very large swirly glass marbles, as big as eggs, which were a bit chipped, but nonetheless, were great fun to roll across the floor. I also used to be allowed to read his Rupert Bear books.

There is a vampire that is part of the English Lake District's folklore, just the same as there have been Loch Ness Monster type sightings in Lake Windermere too...

I'm A Vampire - by us - Vampire Basilisk - is not tongue in cheek but supports those who dare to have a difference...

Halloweened, Hallowenies, Hello-ween

This little film has audio. I actually made a 'dark box' as opposed to a 'light box' because any photography light box is so bright which is what it is supposed to be of course, that it obliterates any light spectrum that is not 'full beam'. 

However, I kind of figured it was missing a trick (or treat) and so on October 30th this year I made a special 'dark box' for my Halloween witchy photography and the little film is the result.

Reaction For Racehorses

Just looking at 'Racehorse Deathwatch' which can be located off the Animal Aid website, is quite frightening. No-one really realises how many racehorses are killed or have to be destroyed as a result of racing. The horses are trained to race and know no other life. If they are lucky they will be retired somewhere nice - like Craigie Boy who was retired to Bransby Home For Horses. Craigie boy is quite an old horse now.We have supported Bransby Horses and have taken part in their adoption scheme in the past.

If they are not lucky, the unwanted old racers end up on a boat to France ready to be made in to horse meat. Occasionally, after receiving a brand to say they can no longer race, the ex race horses are sold to members of the public but they are often very highly strung and need quite a lot of looking after.

Jockeys are not to be let off the hook either as statistics can be found on 'Racehorse Deathwatch' that show that some jockeys are consistent in riding horses who end up being injured and having to be euthanased.

Jockeys have to be licensed in order to ride and their professional silks are registered. I actually own some registered silks, still muddy from a race, as I wanted to get the actual essence of the race in order to fully understand it.

Going to the races is seen as an important social pastime for many who like that kind of thing- as is spending time in the local bookies for others. A long time ago I once worked in a betting shop, it was a very busy place but that is as far as many will get to an actual horse race. It is all about money - big bucks for all but the losers and that can even mean the horses' lives are at stake - the biggest stake of all. Without lots of disposable horses there would be no racing fun, if that is what you call it.

The pictures are from the 2012 Grand National which was run at Aintree in Liverpool. it is one of the most famous races of all time. There are photos of one of the favourites Irish horse 'Synchronised' who had to be destroyed, along with Yorkshire Horse 'According to Pete'. The piece also has audio and is a tribute to them and all other fallen racehorses.

Autumn Equniox And The Confusion Of The Changing Seasons

I really love these beautiful 'wheel of the year' type cards, especially as they are so natural and spiritual.
Chambers Book of Facts - the edition I am looking at was published in 2003, breaks the year up in to three monthly cycles.
The book states that in the northern hemisphere, spring covers March 21st to June 21st, summer covers June 21st to September 23rd, autumn covers September 23rd to December 21st and winter covers December 21st to March 21st.
This is kind of surprising, because so very often the weather does not fit in at all with these facts. It means that we often get snow in autumn and the what we call midsummer is really only the start of summer, not the middle of it! How very confusing...

Enchanted Bower Of The Water Fae Siren Spirits

Water stands for emotions, the fluidity of feelings. Water can always find a way through cracks in the surface and is very tenacious in every possible way. The cup cards in the tarot deck are represented by water - like the flowing tides which are pulled back by the gravity of the moon. Boats sail on water and water provides a method of travel as well as a home for all aquatic life.

These photos above, were taken at different times of the year and yet both show the dexterity and power of water.

In the top photo the water is contained an therefore frothing with aggression; whilst in the bottom photo, the water is free to cascade down the stones in aquatic merriment as liquid frills fall to the pool below.

Both areas are perfect haunts for water sprites and water spirits, though the darker kind would most likely live in the weir pool in the top picture, whilst the more fae-like Siren spirits would possibly enjoy the green leafy waterfall in the bottom picture.