Returning to Iona while on my way to the Scottish Highlands.

One of my favourite camps on Iona. Its just above the rocky shore.

Saw this on Facebook - I love it.

After visiting Corporation Park, Blackburn on Monday I thought I’d have a look at Blackburn’s Queens Park. It wasn’t anywhere near as good and had the look of dilapidation. The park was officially opened on 20th June 1887 at a cost of £10,000 when it was dedicated as a Golden Jubilee memorial to Queen Victoria.

Faded splendour - The Conservatory in Corporation Park is now closed.

Waiting in Birkenhead for the train to Liverpool Lime Street.

Road mural as I cycled through Glynn on the A2

The site where the ships RMS Titanic and Olympic were build in Belfast.

My bike propped up by the red basaltic prisms after cycling down to the Giant's Causeway

The view of Lough Foyle from my tent at Magilligan Point.

Irish caravan built to last

The Stena Ferry arriving at Birkenhead.

At London Euston Rail Station is the statue of Robert Stephenson (1803 - 1859)

I was shocked to hear of the sudden death of Rik Mayall today. He is probably best known as Rick in ‘The Young Ones’ but more important was that he helped drag comedy up from the cosy into the edgy. A wonderful humour that is hard to define. He leaves a magnificent legacy. I hope they do a season of TV re-runs of his work.

His comedy co-writer Ade Edmondson said
"There were times when Rik and I were writing together when we almost died laughing. They were some of the most carefree stupid days I ever had, and I feel privileged to have shared them with him. And now he's died for real. Without me. Selfish bastard."

Rick Mayall (1959 - 2014)

An early incarnation as Kevin Turvey c1981

The Young Ones.
Adrian Edmondson as Vyvyan, Nigel Planer as Neil,
Christopher Ryan (front) as Mike & Rik Mayall as Rick.

aa

After a fine start to the day we had some very heavy rainstorms later on.
 

Timber stack near Downham

A very wet walk around the Downham area. It didn’t stop raining the whole way.

Packhorse Bridge
over Smithies Brook.
Known locally as the 'Fairy Bridge'

The Downham Information Centre Public Toilets.
The Gents have been converted from the old animal stalls.

This evening in Standish to visit St Wilfrid’s Parish Church with Wigan Archaeological Society. It was one of the best visits I’ve been on, mostly due to our excellent guide. I think his name was Joe Bazzell but I could be wrong. The current building dates from around 1589 and was re-build after 2 previous churched needed re-building. The first was from around 1205. The earlier buildings were sandstone but the current is grit-stone. There is a full of rectors going back to 1206. The Church is the only grade 1 listed in the Wigan area.

St Wilfrid's Parish Church Standish

Photo on the wall but no title.

St Wilfrid's in the late 1700s

The East Window.
Designed and made by J H Stammers in 1964
The Window depicts scenes
from the life of Christ.

Chisnall Cartouche dating from around 1650s

It was a gloomy evening for the Chorley Photographic Society outing to Preston Docks. To get some life into my photo I had to use H.D.R. (High Dynamic Range) software to enhance the image.

It is 35 years ago today since Dad died. His entry is shown on the 1 June page at Pleasington Crematorium. Mum’s name is underneath.

Pleasington Crematorium.

In Witton Park Blackburn there were several enthusiasts flying radio controlled model aircraft. However, I’ve never seen a radio controlled jet before. It was very impressive seeing it fly.

On my evening walk I noticed the Whittle-le-Woods public footpath no 44 between Lady Crosse Drive and Lucas Green has been closed. The order says the closure is necessary because of the likelihood of danger to the public whilst site development work is carried out.
It looks more like they've now constructed split level footpaths.