England in the West

I spent a couple of days in Southport, which is a pretty town where I accidentally lost my whatsapp. In order to get it back I needed my regular phone service which took a bit of effort, but it allowed me to call my Mom at last!

Then I visited Debbie and Mark in Ainsdale for a week. Debbie calls me her cousin, which is so sweet because I'm actually her ex-cousin-in-law! Debbie and Mark could not be kinder, caring for me in luxury in their beautiful home.

They have wonderful senses of humour and we laughed many times. Debbie is such a good cook! I ate such delicious meals with them! One night, we ate haddock that Mark had fished out of the sea off the northern Scottish coast on his latest fishing trip there. Debbie prepared it with a dusting of flour and made 'chips' to go with it and mushed peas. That haddock was so delicious I salivate as I type. Mark makes a wonderful cup of tea too!

Debbie made it possible for me to finish my forest therapy guide practicum by arranging for Walk #3 to take place at Nant Mill, a beautiful conservation area in an ancient wood in the north of Wales. Ivy, holly, wild garlic and lavender lined the path! And I had 9 participants!

Then she did Walk #4 with me herself! This last walk was to be with an individual. We went to the pine woods near Debbie's house, around a boardwalked pond where it is mating season for natterjack toads. We saw big sections of eggs looking like giant tapioca or bubble tea. This was so helpful, taking the worry out of completing the course for me. Considering all the stress she is presently under, caring for her parents, especially in the era of corona virus, it was incredibly generous of her to help me. Again.

Mark and Debbie took me sightseeing on each side of the Mersey. On Saturday we walked most of the New Brighton Beach Promenade (Wallasey) which gave a good view of the Liverpool skyline. I saw the Royal Liver Building through which people walked as they became citizens. I couldn't see the guardian birds though!
I saw Everton's Goodison Park stadium and Liverpool's Anfield stadium in the distance--they are separated only by a park and represent the true Church of England. Because I was staying with Mark and because of Malcolm's soccer coach Colin who is from Liverpool, I obviously practised the religion of Everton during my stay.  (shhh! Debbie's family are Liverpool fans)

WallaseyTown Hall

On Monday, we went to the other side of the Mersey, the Crosby Coastal Park side, where we walked along the beach admiring the "iron men."  I found this installation called "Another Place" by artist Sir Anthony Gormley, extraordinary. It wasn't just that it was interesting and cool, but also because of the way that it made me feel! There are 100 statues made of iron at various positions in and out of the water depending on the tide along Crosby Beach for about 3 km. They each weigh 650kg and are casts of the artist's own body. I read the sign at the beginning of our walk that quoted him saying, "In this work, human life is tested against planetary time. This sculpture exposes to light and time the nakedness of a particular and peculiar body, no hero, no ideal, just the industrial produced body of a middle-aged man trying to remain standing and trying to breathe, facing the horizon busy with ships, moving materials and manufactured things around the planet." 

Some of them are up to their knees, some to their shoulders, some "standing on water", and all looking out into the sea, facing the horizon. I feel a bit like that when I look out at the sea or even a lake.

Mark used to run along this beach through the ironmen and saw "Father Christmas" hats placed on them sometimes, or other clothing.  I saw two donning hardhats and I thought how people take artwork into themselves by various means. This installation is truly meaningful for the people who enjoy it. We saw people walking their dogs, making sandcastles, running, the ironmen part of the beach and their experience. When we got back to the car we chuckled because the house there had a replica ironman on display in their window. I really enjoyed that afternoon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Another_Place_(sculpture)

The sand dunes on the Crosby side were quite amazing too. We walked back on the park side (other side of the dunes) on a windy and sunny afternoon.

I reluctantly said goodbye to Debbie and Mark who drove me to the Lime Street Train Station in Liverpool and I headed here to Stratford-upon-Avon. 

The train trip was gorgeous with green fields and plenty of sheep, brick and stone farmhouses in old-fashioned quaintness and beauty.

I was looking forward to seeing two or three plays, including King John which is rarely produced. As of yesterday, however, the plays were all closed. The restaurants and pubs will likely close in the next couple of days. The closing of cities and public places going on around the UK and the rest of Europe, plus Prime Minister Trudeau urging me home, means I have cancelled my April plan of volunteering with refugees on the island of Lesvos in Greece and will come home to Canada. I won't come 'home" though. I will find adventure in Canada! Meanwhile I am determined to enjoy Stratford-upon-Avon while I am here. I can't help thinking of Fraser, my fellow Shakespeare fan!

I am in a hostel in an old Georgian Manor House in a three acre garden. So pretty!