A view from the top

This toposcope (panoramic viewpoint) is atop a stone pillar (erected for the Millennium) which is atop a triangulation point which is atop the highest hill on Barlaston Downs which is itself atop the east bank of the valley.  So it’s quite high up.
Being high up makes it a magnet for runners, orienteering enthusiasts and serious ramblers, who see it as a bit of a challenge.
 

Malbank mound

A simple mound in the ground?  Not to the expert eye of my walking compnaion.  This, he said, is clearly the site of an old moated house from medieval times.

Being a bit of a sceptic, I had to check when we got back.  He was right: the house, near Hilderstone, was probably part of the possessions of the Malbanks, a family who acquired a lot of land in England thanks to their loyalty to William The Conqueror in supporting his wars against the Anglo-Saxons (and Welsh).

I shall take mounds more seriously in future.

Bicycle of good intentions

What story does this picture tell us?  
Does it tell us that the weather has been windy?  Perhaps.

My own interpretation is that this is a story of good intentions.  I think the owner of this bike was planning to use it to cycle in and out of work ever day, but actually, as an exercise project, it was never really going to work. (Remember those gym memberships that become an utter waste of money?)
And so the cycle is slowly being buried, over time, under whatever detritus eddies into this corner of the bike-shed.

All that is left of what-was

As one wanders along a wooded path in Longdon Green, suddenly one sees, up upon the bank, this gravestone: "William Edwards died 1775, Clerk of this Chapel for 19 Years".  Nothing else.
Apparently the chapel was pulled down years ago, and so all that is left of what-was is this gravestone... and it looks like (to me) somebody is regularly clearing it of ivy.  I wonder who.

Matching the mismatching

Catching up with fads can be a puzzle.  At the trendy Spout Cafe in Leek we sat at shabby chic tables, and were served tea in mismatching crockery.  It was explained to me by my companion that this was not a careless mistake, but is the very latest way to present accessories in avant-garde eating-out venues.

I'm told it's something to do with: retro / vintage / [ place your own word here... ]. 

Medieval practices - coming back

It's amazing to think that there are over thirty almshouses still going in Burton.  Dating back to medieval times, these charitable institutions still provide small homes for the elderly & bereft. 
And, believe it or not, almshouses are still being built by these charities even today; clearly there is a need for this medieval practice...
The Consolidated Almshouses Charity manages this particular, rather lovely one (built in the nineteenth century) in Wellington Street.

'Main Street' streams along

Believe it or not, this flooded cobble-stones path is actually the main road through Butterton village!  And the recent rains have turned the puddles into a proper shin-high ford.

Peace undermined

With Armistice Day this week, one looks to war memorials.   This statue of Peace (with dove in hand) stands on one side of the war memorial in Burton. 
As is usual - but extremely odd to modern eyes - this female classical figure seems to be wearing a tight body-stocking under her voluminous cloak and helmet.  One wonders what the point of that is...

Her message of peace is also rather undermined by a huge figure of Victory which stands on the top of the plinth, towering well above her (see a photo of the whole memorial by clicking here).
Oh well.

Factory makes Biennial

The British Ceramic Biennial comes to an end on Sunday - the exhibition, which highlights contemporary work in the ceramics world, has been taking place over the last few weeks.

Frankly, I wasn't that impressed this year; everything seemed a bit flat, and the exhibits and ideas were a little underwhelming.   But, once again, it was the venue that saved the day - the now empty and decayed Spode factory in Stoke, which housed the show, is fascinating in itself.

Last of the season

It's been very misty/foggy recently, and there has been a dull pall over everything.  At the Sugnall Walled Kitchen Garden, everything looked fairly grim - but then, it is after all, the end of the growing year. 
We found half a dozen apples still left on some of the trees, and three pears.  They tasted pretty good though.