It’s been a couple of weeks since our last post. A week ago we drove into Liverpool for the first time. It hadn’t dawned on us that it was the second day of the Grand National Horse Derby on the outskirts of Liverpool. The Grand National is the English equivalent of the Kentucky Derby. So many people dressed in very formal attire (on a cold and windy day). I had the thought, as I observed them, how great it would be if they were all going to church. What a force they would be. In the evening, we were strolling through the mall at the wharf and thousands of them (still dressed in full regalia) descended on the bars and restaurants. There were at least 6 police standing at every corner in the mall ready to keep things in check.
We visited a couple of museums (the Maritime and the Liverpool museums). It was like seeing the other end of Ellis Island. To ponder the millions of people going through Liverpool (including my ancestors) was sobering. Many, if not most, with nothing but a dream in their pockets–expecting America to be their best chance at security. Without those ambitious immigrants, I wonder what would have become of America and the Church. The Church recently built a monument to the families who departed out of Liverpool. It is right on the wharf.
Monument to immigrant families–donated by the Church
The Maritime museum included a display describing the hundreds of thousands of children–as young as three–who were sent to Canada, America and Australia during the 20th century. These were basically orphans and unwanted children whose parents voluntarily turned them over to churches or other presumably charitable organizations who then shipped them off–often without telling the parents. Many are now trying to retrace their steps and find their families.
Yesterday, we travelled to Yorkshire and visited the towns of Halifax and Haworth. In Halifax, we visited Shibden Hall the home of the Lister Family (for 500 years). The interesting thing was the number of major remodelings done by Anne Lister–who had the greatest impact on the estate. A couple of pictures:
From Halifax, we drove to Haworth, parsonage home of the Bronte sisters. It is really quite moving how three literary giants grew up in a fairly isolated environment and accomplished what they did by their young ages. They died at 29, 30 and 39 years old. In fact, all 6 children of Pastor Peter Bronte’s children died before he died at age 84. Probably best known of their works were Wuthering Heights and Jane Erye. Haworth is in one of the many “moors” in England. I am still not sure I understand how the moors become such, but you definitely know it when you see it. Found in the hilly country, it is the top of the hills–where pasture land cannot or does not find root. It is just very barren with a tall brown grass–almost a thicket. It is in the moors where people did, and still do, go to walk and ponder. It is said that the moors had great influence on the Brontes’ writings. The roads are unbelievable. Bordered by rock walls ranging from 4 to 8 feet high on each side, the road, at times, is maybe 10-12 feet wide. If you meet a car coming the other way, one or the other must back down to the nearest turn out which could be a mile or two. We were lucky and able to squeeze by at about 1 mph with mirrors pulled in. Here are a few pictures of the Bronte house and around Haworth.
Last week, I submitted the conclusions of what will be legally required to open Self-Reliance Centers in 20 European countries. It has been fascinating to see how differently each country considers the issues of education, lending money, issuing certificates, collecting personal data and tax exemptions. Now, to the task of obtaining the licenses, permits and exemptions identified.
This week also marked another milestone. Kathy drove to the store by herself! After she left, I found her phone here at the house–so if she got lost, we were cooked. But she did fine.
In the next few weeks, we will have visits from Kyle McBride (here in Chorley) and the Gaughans (in London). We do enjoy these visits. That’s all for now.