ABC Wednesday - Steps

T

I will start with rustic steps, at the moment the bracken is just unfurling ,but here in this image it is forever July and the foxgloves just coming to an end. The steps lead from the car park at Tilberthwaite where some go to laze by the stream but for the more energetic the steps warm up the tendons and lead past the old slate mines, whose walls are now scaled by rock climbers,

and on to the fell-side towards Wetherlam and the Coniston range. Tilberthwaite Gill is out of sight running below the trees

Stylish steps

leading to the Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park which is Lancaster's most visible monument, it perches on top of a hill.  In the 19th Century Lancaster became the national centre for the manufacture of linoleum and the leading manufacturer was James Williamson who gave the site of the park to the town and his son, James Williamson Jnr, who later became Lord Ashton, continued the development.

This enormous baroque confection was prompted by the death of his second wife Jessie in 1904 and was designed by John Belcher.  Construction commenced in 1906 and was completed, using some of the most advanced building techniques of the day, in 1909.  The stonework reflects the sun and can be seen in different hues depending on the light and time of day  It comes complete with a fountain

which on a sunny day is super to splash around in. This carefree twosome were soaked but simply satisfied. 

The monument is a great setting for the promenade performances put on by the Duke Theatre every year in July. A few years ago I saw a performance of Shakespeare's 'As You Like It' on a warm summer's evening. We were taken through the woods and dells and ended up at the monument, a magical experience. This year the play is Peter Pan so Never Never Land comes to Williamson Park.

and Peter Pan can swoop down these balustered stairs, perhaps Wendy will lay a hand on the top but

not  on the handrail on these steps further round Morecambe Bay which is probably only held together by gravity.

Some steps are a little steeper, leading up to the road at Llangottock from the Brecon Canal, and can be tricky, notice the length of the gap from the top step to the  top of the wall, this one is not  built for small people, stretchy legs would be useful.

Saunter over to the ABC Wednesday meme where there are more words beginning with the letter S